what is the fluid inside a compass called?

Answer 1

Dampening fluid consisting of:
Mineral oil or Mineral Spirits- the viscosity slows the spinning of the compass. And protect the compass card/needle from the effects of vibration

(I have heard of using White Kerosene)

The needle in a handheld compass is not floating, rather it is mounted and balanced on a pivot. (unless you want to make a home made compass with a magnetized needle stuck in a cork floating in a bowl of water)

Answer 2

Compass Fluid

Answer 3

Water is never used in a sealed compass; it would freeze and break the glass. Another demonstration of public ignorance on Y!A.

It is correct that some liquid-filled compasses used light mineral oil. The most common fluid is grain alcohol. It provides a dampening effect on the movement of the compass card, and it will not freeze.

The first magnetic compasses consisted of a bowl of water with a floating cork or similar object, having a magnetized iron rod attached as a pointer. Not very convenient, and of course not useable below freezing.

But in fact, the overwhelming majority of compasses are dry. They just use a fine bearing of some kind, and have no fluid.

Answer 4

The actual composition of the liquid may vary, but as a general term it is called a "dampening" fluid because it's purpose is to dampen or slow down the movement of the compass needle.

Answer 5

Interesting discussion. My Silva Polaris compass developed a large air bubble pocket. I took it apart and drilled a fine hole into the side to empty it and find what chemical it contained and to refill it. The chemical consistency was slippery between the fingers and had the odor of kerosine. I soaked a wicker in it, lit a match to the wicker and it quickly ignited and spread. The liquid is highly flammable as opposed to non-soaked side of the wicker, which only burned like a slow amber in need of encouragement. So I'm thinking that white lamp oil, maybe even brake fluid, wiper fluid, or cheap dollar store fuel injection fluid will do just fine as refill liquid, and give it a little color too.

Answer 6

Usually the fluid in most any guage is glycerin, not water. if you think about it being lost in freezing environment and having the water in our compass freeze would truly suck. Glycerin is cheap and is only marginally effected by temperature.

Answer 7

I can't remember the name my father gave to what he and his shipmates in ww2 strained through bread on the USS Carter Hall,but I know he said it came originally from the ships compass.I wonder if that particular vessell was lost a lot.They did,at least,all get back to Frisco in late 1945.

Answer 8

I have seen the ones that JAB speaks about, however I have one that I use for hunting and it does not say what's inside but it would have to be a form of alcohol I would think because it doesn't freeze and sometimes I hunt when it's way below zero.

Answer 9

Dude, it's just plain water. The only reason compasses work is because the needle (that is magnetized to make point north) spins on a pivot while the needle floats on the water. The water allows it to spin easily to show you where north is.

Answer 10

Light mineral oil used to be popular.