Alfredo Contaldovideo

COMPASS LIQUID TOP-UP ⚓How to remove air bubbles from compasses ⛵ tutorial

20 December 2025 · 18 min · 4K views

Hand holds opened compass housing on sunlit boat deck

What this video covers

Removing air bubbles from a marine compass requires removing the unit from the binnacle, accessing the silicone fill plug, and topping off the internal fluid. To begin, unscrew the mounting flange and the backlight housing to extract the compass from the binnacle.0:50 Once removed, detach the magnetic compensation elements located underneath, noting their original orientation to ensure accurate re-calibration later.1:24 Use a multitool or small screwdriver to remove the silicone sealant and the silicone fill plug.2:11 If the internal expansion diaphragm has collapsed due to a vacuum, removing the plug will allow it to return to its original shape.2:29 Use a syringe or a cleaned densimeter to inject new fluid into the fill port, tapping the housing gently to release trapped air bubbles.10:07 After refilling, reseal the plug with fresh silicone.13:12 Before reinstalling the compass, verify its accuracy by performing a DIY compass swing to check for deviations against known cardinal headings.16:20

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