Hi all. I’m trying to salvage our old Plastimo Contest 101 compass which has lost half its fluid. I found lots of discussion and the fact that there is a brass screw you need to remove to add fluid but I can’t find it anywhere on the globe. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!
Refilling Compass - where’s the port?
- Thread starter HilaryK
- Start date
Different compass, but maybe it offers some helpful advice…
Good luck,
Greg
Good luck,
Greg
The port is under a tab of melted plastic. I had no luck refilling mine because of almost invisible cracks around the screw holes. I tipped the compass to get the optimum fill and then put the screw in and tipped the compass back to right. Performed this several times. Then put the compass in the freezer for a day and then retopped. Finally bought a new one from boatclick.com at a significantly lower price.
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Refilling is only half the problem. Unless you find and fix the cause, refilling is a futile action. Check and replace the diaphragm as a minimum.
Agreed. At that point, it may be worthwhile to send it out for professional repair.
I have a good quality Gemini binnacle mount compass that had a slowly growing bubble and slightly dulled globe. I sent it to Viking Instruments in 2021 to be refilled and it came back looking like new. Not only refilled but with a new globe and new red LED bulb. Cost was $234. Significantly less than the cost of a new, possibly lesser quality, compass.
Marine Compasses, Compass Repair, Danforth Compass, Ritchie Compass
www.vikingcompass.com
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Thanks for the help all. Turns out it was right in front of my face, just under a black paint or caulk seal. I just need a temporary solution for now so I’m going to give refilling it a shot
