Sperry gyro service supporting liquide for Navigat X MK1 / MK2

The Sperry Marine NAVIGAT X MK1 and MK2 gyrocompasses rely on a specialized supporting liquid within the gyrosphere container, which is crucial for the gyro’s ability to maintain north stabilization and contribute to the liquid damping system that eliminates latitude errors. This fluid, typically identified by Sperry Marine part number 044810-0000-000, provides a buoyant medium for the gyrosphere, and its regular renewal, usually every 18 months, is vital for proper operation as the fluid can degrade or decrease over time. Failure to replace the fluid can lead to severe malfunctions, including loss of gyrosphere contact and deformation of the container, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the expiry date on the fluid bottle and using only genuine Sperry Marine liquid. Furthermore, storage and handling considerations dictate that the fluid can freeze below $0^{\circ} C$ , and the gyrocompass should not operate below $- 1 0^{\circ} C$ or when stored below $0^{\circ} C$ , with any service involving the gyrosphere and its fluid strictly limited to authorized personnel to ensure the gyrocompass’s accuracy, stability, and longevity.

Technical Specification

Key Technical Considerations for Gyro Support Liquid:

Part Number: Sperry Marine Gyrosphere Fluid 044810-0000-000 (often listed as a replacement for 049050-0000).
Purpose:
- Buoyancy: Provides flotation for the gyrosphere, allowing it to move with minimal friction and maintain stable positioning, even during brief power outages. This is critical for the “single point suspension” design.
- Damping: Contributes to the liquid damping system that helps to quickly and accurately settle the gyrocompass and eliminate latitude errors.
- Lubrication/Cooling: Likely provides some level of lubrication and heat dissipation for the internal components of the gyrosphere.
Maintenance Interval: Must be renewed regularly, typically every 18 months. This is a critical maintenance item.
Packaging: Supplied in a 1-liter bottle, with approximately 1.7 liters typically used at one time.
Chemical Stability: The fluid is designed to maintain its properties over time, but it degrades, losing its effectiveness if not replaced within the specified interval. This can lead to the gyrosphere losing proper contact with the center pin and causing damage.
Thermal Properties:
- Freezing Point: Starts freezing at temperatures below $0^{\circ} C$ . This is a crucial parameter, as the gyrocompass cannot be operated if the ambient temperature falls below $- 1 0^{\circ} C$ or if not operating below $0^{\circ} C$ , to prevent fluid solidification and potential damage.
- Operating Temperature Range: The gyrocompass itself operates in an ambient temperature range of $- 1 0^{\circ} C$ to $+ 5 5^{\circ} C$ . The fluid must remain stable and functional within this range.
Physical Properties (Inferred/General):
- Specific Gravity/Density: For the fluid to provide buoyancy, it must have a specific gravity that allows the gyrosphere to float correctly. While exact figures for Sperry’s fluid are proprietary, similar gyro fluids often have specific gravity requirements (e.g., around 1.02 to 1.03 at standard temperatures like $1 5^{\circ} C$ or $2 0^{\circ} C$ ). This property is critical for the precision buoyancy system.
- Viscosity: The viscosity of the fluid is important for the damping effect. It needs to be low enough to allow the gyrosphere to move freely but high enough to provide the necessary resistance for damping oscillations.
- Non-Corrosive: The fluid must be chemically inert and non-corrosive to the materials of the gyrosphere, container, and electrical contacts within the system.
- Non-Conductive: Given the electrical components within the gyrosphere, the liquid needs to be non-conductive to prevent short circuits.
- Purity: High purity is essential to prevent contamination that could affect the gyro’s performance or cause wear.

Important Note: It is paramount to only use genuine Sperry Marine Gyro Support Liquid (P/N 044810-0000-000) for the NAVIGAT X MK1/MK2. Using incorrect or expired fluids can lead to severe damage, compromise navigational accuracy, and void warranties. The technical specifications of this fluid are tightly controlled to ensure the precise performance of the gyrocompass’s sensitive components.