compass question

[gub]

Can anyone tell me what fluid is normally used in a compass. the smell of the stuff that is in there is famiar, but after sniffing light oil, diesel,parrafin and every other light oil substance i have on the shelf the sniffer is confused . thanks Gub.

[Scotty Beamup]

Aircraft spruce sells compass fluid, it costs pennies.

[stevef]

It's a petroleum distillate of some kind, naptha rings a bell.

[Firebird]

In Canada we refer to it as the Whisky Compass. maybe in Europe it would be called the Scotch Compass. Just kidding..........

[Kuchan]

It could be Isopropyl alcohol (evaporated easily) or purified kerosene ( higher density) or Vodka in Russia or Potcheen in Ireland or Moi Tai (95% proof) in China. Isn't it the reason your compass was emptied. :bottom up:

[grounded27]

Is there any chance of the compass exploding when you key up an HF? (must see thread in tech log).

[gub]

Thanks for the feedback. For the moment problem solved, a drop of our most expensive kerosine heating oil appears to have done the trick. gub.

[Spitfire.]

My god! Are you not working to Maintenance documents?! You're a brave soul coming here and asking these questions in public. Then stating what you did to rectify the defect, by using perhaps the wrong fluid. :eek:

[NutLoose]

I think you will find it is not for an airworthy item, mearly a collectible.

[gub]

Spitfire fear not for my safety or engineering integrity, the aforementioned compass merely points the direction in a three axis simulator that i designed and manufactured for a corporate entertainment company. Gub.

[unimo55]

In an emergency, you can use Gin (Gordon's is best)
If the emergency involves a compass that's lost its fluid, refill it with Gin.
If the emergency involves a downed aircraft with a failed engine in a remote location, but with a serviceable compass, drink the contents of the compass (always make sure you have some tonic on board).

[ampclamp]

Never worked on the bench but have been told it was toluene by old war horses. Sounds doubtful. Some references say kero or silicone oil

[Hasherucf]

AIRPATH COMPASS REPAIR KITS - COMPASS FLUID: 1/2 PINT & QUART from Aircraft Spruce (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/inpages/repairkit1.php)


Do it right ! $4.90 for a quart. Stuff smells like crap but not flammable like other suggestions here

[Spitfire.]

Phew :O In that case, i'd go with the rum, just because you can :}

[usquamlad70]

Normally its the correct stuff but if you want to live life on the edge try Nitro Glycerine, or you could consider the environment and use sunflower oil.

[onetrack]

The following are some of the main types of compass liquid ingredients:

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) / distilled water ...

Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) / distilled water ...

Kerosene (paraffin oil) ...

Silicone oil ...

Mineral oil ...

I was under the impression that Glycerin was also used - but perhaps Glycerin is restricted to only gauge damping?

[SeldomFixit]

Glycerine would cause large hysteresis so only useful as a gauge dampener.