I needed to clean the leaking dome on my Danforth compas on the FB. The dome is pretty hazy and thats not the issue. What is however, is the type of juice it floats on. Ive read a ton of stuff today and opinions vary from glycerin to alchohol, to mineral spirits. The OEM precoital fluid smelled like old mineral spirits and was definitely some oil based stuff... Any input from the experts here??
William W. Stephan
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Thread: Compass info
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Compass info
Last edited by yachtsmanbill; 02-22-2010 at 07:37 PM.
yachtsmanWILLY
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02-22-2010 07:53 PM #2
Re: Compass info
http://www.discountweather.com/compassoil.html
i cant tell you the answer to your question directly but they say they will
hope this helps old friend
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02-22-2010 08:01 PM #3
Re: Compass info
This is go.d general ,info at least for reading may help
General Science Archive
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Liquid Inside Compass
3/15/2007
name Ed
status other
grade other
location PA
Question - Hi, I recently purchased a liquid filled US Navy compass
dated 1943 made by the Lionel Corp.in N.Y. I want to remove the large air
bubble inside the compass. What is the liquid inside the compass?
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I worked at Lionel and can tell you that this liquid was absolute ethyl
alcohol (the drinkable kind).
regards,
George Vitt
Sr. Scientist, Ret.
Hughes Aircraft Co.
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A very interesting purchase. At one time the fluid used was kerosene. If
that is the original fluid and if it has a bit of a yellow haze that could
be what you have. Now they use a silicone fluid that is clearer and not
flammable. I would suggest that you consider replacing all the fluid with
the modern material. You can find compass repair materials at aircraft
supply outlets. A web search should find a couple of sources.
Larry Krengel
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I do not know anything about that specific compass, but I am guessing the
bubble is there for leveling, and is meant to be there.
J. Elliott
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I do not know what they actually used, and I have not seen this kind of
compass.
My main question is whether there is paint inside, or only textured metal
surfaces.
I can describe the basic ideas.
You (and the original makers), want something clear and non-yellowing,
moderately viscous, and harmless to metal and paint.
Mineral oil is pretty good in that regard.
100% Isopropanol would not be terrible, but it is not very viscous and
leaks and evaporates.
Glycerin is viscous and will not corrode metal (might even dissolve small
amounts of water leaking into the case, protecting metal from corrosion).
However it is a strong solvent and kills most paint in the not-too-long run.
It does the same thing brake fluid does to auto paint, but slower.
Fluorocarbon oils are entirely safe for paints, but it is overkill, and I
am sure that is not what was used in 1943.
Silicone oils can be harmless too.
At this time, you want something mutually soluble with the old oil.
so you need to get some of the old oil out of the compass to try it.
Put a drop into each clear glass of:
- water,
- drug-store mineral oil, (or maybe vegetable oil is quicker for you)
- 91%-grade rubbing alcohol (91% isopropanol, 9% water)
- drug-store glycerin
and let them sit still a while,
and watch to see which one bends to near-invisibility first, instead of
staying in a sharply-defined glob.
Only wiggle or shake if it takes longer than an hour to dissolve.
If shaking makes the solution cluttered or milky, that is bad, very insoluble.
My guess the mineral oil will dissolve first and smoothest.
I might keep all the old oil that can be poured out in some tiny bottle,
and fill the compass with the new mineral oil.
The most conservative way to clean out old oil is to refill with you
chosen new oil and shake or soak, then pour out and refill again.
If you wish to do a quicker or more thorough clean-out of old oil or new,
then 100% Isopropanol is your safe universal solvent that can evaporate to
dryness.
Sorry if that is long-winded! Maybe someone else will know the short answer.
Jim Swenson
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Re: Compass info
Pretty cool site MM!! Looks like mineral spirits so far, but the jury is still out on that one! A new lense (dome) is $68!! ws
It'll probably be OK with a polish job and fresh oil in it.yachtsmanWILLY
I used to think I knew everything until I found the experts HERE; Now I know I dont know SQUAT
www.flybridge.proboards.com
Uncensored, no nonsense boating fun for adults
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02-22-2010 08:59 PM #5
Re: Compass info
Hi Bill, just thought I'd express my thanks. You take really good photos of your rebuilds and your range of accomplishments are amazing.
Ben
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Re: Compass info
I always thought it was mineral oil, not mineral spirits. But, I have read that mineral spirits has been used as well. To test it, put a few drops of the compass liquid onto a piece of paper, it will either evaporate or it will soak in and make the paper go transparent.
If the first occurs the liquid is mineral spirits, if the second occurs then it is mineral oil.Last edited by SKYCHENEY; 02-22-2010 at 09:16 PM.
Sky Cheney
1985 53EDMY, Hull #CN759, "Rebecca"
ELYC on White Lake--Montague, MI
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02-22-2010 09:16 PM #7Senior Member
- Join Date
- Nov 2006
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- 160
Re: Compass info
Willie
Try Viking Instruments and Optical
781-585-2100
Ask for Howard
Ship it, they rebuild, replace dome etc
Nice Folks, affordable
Its only dollars ehJ Dickson
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Re: Compass info
Thanks fellas! It is oil BTW... paper towel soaked it up. I needed better confirmation tho. Smells like spoiled Johnsons' baby oil (pre-used???). I can really appreciate a true litmus test SKY!!
One of the links MM sent me was Viking. A very informative site but holy smoke$$$$$ !! wsyachtsmanWILLY
I used to think I knew everything until I found the experts HERE; Now I know I dont know SQUAT
www.flybridge.proboards.com
Uncensored, no nonsense boating fun for adults
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Re: Compass info
Baby oil is mineral oil. They just add perfume to it.
Sky Cheney
1985 53EDMY, Hull #CN759, "Rebecca"
ELYC on White Lake--Montague, MI
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Re: Compass info
Just so as you know, in Ireland, the founders of America, via Brother Brendan..we just use alcohol....works like a hot damn..and cures all ills...