Clinometer mystery

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Clinometer mystery

Postby Aaron Addison » Jan 5, 2012 5:39 pm

I have a clinometer mystery that has so far gone unexplained. Last week I was on a cave camp / survey trip. I used my suunto clinometer during 2 days of the trip. Towards the last day of the trip, the instrument got too muddy to read and I put it away in a small pelican box for the remainder of the trip.

Upon exiting the cave, I noticed that a bubble about 1/4" across had formed inside the cartridge. bummer. Figuring that the clino was headed to retirement, I placed it on top of my map cabinet at the house. Two days later, the bubble was completely gone and the clino works perfectly.

Question: What the hell happened to this instrument?

AA
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby Crockett » Jan 5, 2012 9:16 pm

Put it in the fridge and see if the bubble comes back.
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby Roppelcaver » Jan 5, 2012 9:53 pm

I have noticed that too. With the onset of a bubble it will appear and disappear based upon temperature. You have lost just enough liquid to reach that tipping point, if the bubble continues to do that. Eventually, you will have a permanent resident I am afraid.
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby Aaron Addison » Jan 6, 2012 9:55 am

Tried the fridge overnight = no bubble = very odd.
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby Roppelcaver » Jan 6, 2012 10:22 pm

Maybe you imagined the bubble :)
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby ian mckenzie » Jan 8, 2012 9:27 pm

Mystery bubbles are common in these instruments. A bubble won't affect the clino performance, as it works by gravity. A bubble in a compass is bad news though, because it tips the card.
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Re: Clinometer mystery

Postby Aaron Addison » Jan 9, 2012 10:23 am

Thanks Ian, I understand the bubble impact on performance, just would like to better understand the origin (and destination) of the bubble.....maybe it was just passing through.

AA
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