OT - what is the fluid in a MOVA globe?

mfisher · May 15, 2019

A search of the web provided nothing definitive - so here goes:

MOVA Globes

Innovative Rotating Globe Decor - MOVA Globes, A Unique Elegant Gift (not an endorsement, they are a bit overpriced and tend of have problems, but are cool while they last, and I got one as a gift)

have a clear plastic shell, then a globe inside floating in some sort of clear liquid. Using light, and an arrangement of magnets, photo cells of some sorts and a bit of magic, the globes turn inside the shell.

They are notorious for getting air bubbles in them. With a bubble, the globe is no longer suspended, and doesn't rotate.

Easy enough to drill a small hole, and refill, but what is in there? The maker describes it as 'totally safe' and similar to charcoal lighter fluid. They say it is a 'proprietary fluid', but that is probably just marketing. They will sell a replacement globe, but not very cheap.

So I am thinking it is a light paraffin / mineral oil of some sort. Any one know? Fluid density is critical, but since I need to top-up such a small volume, I think just making sure it is miscible and doesn't cloud is the biggest concern.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

BoxcarPete · May 15, 2019

Send a few drips out to someone with an FTIR? That should give you at least the basic composition.

Dumpster_diving · May 15, 2019

Marine compass fluid might work. My recollection is it's something like mineral oil (but gin has worked in a pinch). :cheers:

mark costello · May 15, 2019

How does One get home using gin?

atex57 · May 15, 2019

mark costello said:
How does One get home using gin?

From one lamp post to another. ;-)

Ed.

john.k · May 15, 2019

If the globe is from China,the fluid is very likely a PCB.....non flammable,and non conductive.

paul39 · May 15, 2019

Maybe Stoddard solvent, which is water clear varsol. This is what was in my aircraft compass. I talked to the A & P mechanic at the airport when my compass leaked down. He said "get a cup full out of that 55 gallon drum over there, take out the plug on top of the compass & fill it". Problem solved.

White spirit - Wikipedia

Paul

9100 · May 16, 2019

paul39 said:
Maybe Stoddard solvent, which is water clear varsol. This is what was in my aircraft compass. I talked to the A & P mechanic at the airport when my compass leaked down. He said "get a cup full out of that 55 gallon drum over there, take out the plug on top of the compass & fill it". Problem solved.

White spirit - Wikipedia

Paul

Airpath compasses are made here. George Cottrel, who started the company, told me that they used Stoddard's solvent. He also used it for cleaning fluid.

Bill

themovadoctor · Jan 14, 2020

Did you finally refilled the globe? I am having the same problem as you, the globe has started to lose liquid, but I do not know what liquid is inside. What liquid did you finally used? How did you open it?

Thank you.

brobin · Jun 10, 2020

themovadoctor said:
Did you finally refilled the globe? I am having the same problem as you, the globe has started to lose liquid, but I do not know what liquid is inside. What liquid did you finally used? How did you open it?

Thank you.

I'm a little late to the party but just refilled my Mova globe and it's spinning like a top again! Here's what I did and what I used. After drilling a very tiny hole through the plug I used a syringe to add (drum roll please) Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits. This product is used by artists and a 4.2 ounce bottle can be found at any art supply store like Michael's, Hobby Lobby or on Amazon for about $11. The small globe I have was about 25% low which required about 1.5 oz. to refill. When full I used a dab of "Goop" to seal the hole. Hope this is helpful to all who may stumble upon it!

Limy Sami · Jun 10, 2020

MMM? still like the sound of gin better.

ChipSplitter · Jun 10, 2020

Limy Sami said:
MMM? still like the sound of gin better.

Moonshine Made in Missouri.............

Limy Sami · Jun 10, 2020

ChipSplitter said:
Moonshine Made in Missouri.............

Nah, Gordons or Bols Geneva forme thanks.

dave1557 · Dec 23, 2021

Mova Globe Fluid Top-Up

mfisher said:
A search of the web provided nothing definitive - so here goes:

MOVA Globes

Innovative Rotating Globe Decor - MOVA Globes, A Unique Elegant Gift (not an endorsement, they are a bit overpriced and tend of have problems, but are cool while they last, and I got one as a gift)

have a clear plastic shell, then a globe inside floating in some sort of clear liquid. Using light, and an arrangement of magnets, photo cells of some sorts and a bit of magic, the globes turn inside the shell.

They are notorious for getting air bubbles in them. With a bubble, the globe is no longer suspended, and doesn't rotate.

Easy enough to drill a small hole, and refill, but what is in there? The maker describes it as 'totally safe' and similar to charcoal lighter fluid. They say it is a 'proprietary fluid', but that is probably just marketing. They will sell a replacement globe, but not very cheap.

So I am thinking it is a light paraffin / mineral oil of some sort. Any one know? Fluid density is critical, but since I need to top-up such a small volume, I think just making sure it is miscible and doesn't cloud is the biggest concern.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

I have recently topped up my Mova Globe as it has been slowly losing fluid over the past 4 years such that it is a 3rd of the way down the globe and the only way to keep it running was with a paper clipped strategically placed on the top of the globe to help counteract the balance lost due to the lack of fluid.

Having read various suggestion about what to use as a replacement fluid, I bit the bullet and used BBQ lighter fluid. I used a hot needle to make a small hole at the point where the globe was filled during construction. Using a syringe, I took a few mils of fluid and mixed it with the BBQ lighter fluid. No signs of reaction to the two being mixed, so I topped the globe up with the BBQ lighter fluid, sealed the hole with glue from a hot glue gun and it has been working fine ever since with no visible change to the fluid colour etc.

Hope that might help anyone unsure what to try.

TDegenhart · Dec 23, 2021

Nobody has asked how the fluid leaks out or where.

Tom

4GSR · Dec 23, 2021

I don't know what the fluid is, but this guy can test it and make sure it don't explode on you.

The Biggest 1911 is a Long Range King! 6th Day of Christmas! - YouTube

Of course IDK if snow globes have the same fluid or not.

gbent · Dec 23, 2021

One of the best uses for snow globes I've seen.

DDoug · Dec 23, 2021

Screw that, convert it into a Lava lamp.....

DDoug · Dec 23, 2021

gbent said:
One of the best uses for snow globes I've seen.

Did someone say "Snow Globe" ??
Minions,Stuart-snow globe - YouTube

boslab · Dec 23, 2021

If low viscosity same as spirit level I’d guess, high viscosity then glycol or glycerin perhaps, draw a sample, maybe isopropanol aka isopropyl alcohol without a handy lab ( it was handy!) you could iD it by refractive index
The stunning alternative is simply ask them to refil it or supply filling?
Never seen one but sounds cool, I’m a sucker for gadgets ( looking for a nixi clock at the moment, or one of the alternatives)
Mark

OT - what is the fluid in a MOVA globe?

Hot Rolled

Stainless

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Stainless

Stainless

Diamond

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Diamond

Plastic

Plastic

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Diamond

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Diamond

Diamond

Diamond

Diamond

Diamond

Titanium

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