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compass losing fluid
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| jcdawg83 |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 1:31 PM
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My compass is losing the fluid inside of it. It is about half full now and I don't know where the fluid is going. I don't see any wet spots under the console. It is a Ritchie F82. I like the compass and would like to repair it if that is feasible. What do I fill it with? I've read a couple different sites that contradict each other. Some say clear mineral spirits, some say alcohol and some say mineral oil. The viscosity of the fluid in it looks more like alcohol or mineral spirits to me, it is not thick enough to be an oil.
Is it worth trying to repair or would I be better off buying a new compass?
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| action |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 1:46 PM
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I fly airplanes, and when the compass leaks you can buy a kit that contains replacement gaskets and a pint of "compass fluid" (look on Aircraft Spruce web site). Some of the old timers said they used kerosene. You are really not supposed to repair these yourself because an avionics shop is supposed to "swing" (re-calibrate) the compass when done. Some airports have a "compass rose" on a taxiway and you can position the aircraft at different headings and use the adjustment screws (with a non-magnetic brass screwdriver). I guess on a boat you could calibrate it with the compass out. In an aircraft the metal parts, radios, instruments, etc all affect the calibration so it need to be done while mounted in place.
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| JRP |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 1:55 PM
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You can send it back to Ritchie in Pembroke, MA and they will repair/refurb it for you.
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| Joe Kriz |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 2:04 PM
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See this members restoration project of a Ritchie compass for some ideas.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=68
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| Finnegan |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 4:26 PM
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I had a Ritchie Navigator 2000, about 20 years old, that was losing fluid, so I called them for repair information.
They said I could send it in, and for 1/2 cost of a new one, repair it. Then the guy said "I'll tell you a little secret - we actually do not repair but instead send you a brand new one".
So I sent it in and, sure enough, a brand new one came back in the mail! I thought that was a reasonable deal.
Evidently, even compasses have gotten to the point where they are a throw away, as repair labor is more expensive than the regular production line items.
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| JRP |
Posted on 03/16/17 - 4:33 PM
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Finnegan wrote:
I had a Ritchie Navigator 2000, about 20 years old, that was losing fluid, so I called them for repair information.
They said I could send it in, and for 1/2 cost of a new one, repair it. Then the guy said "I'll tell you a little secret - we actually do not repair but instead send you a brand new one".
So I sent it in and, sure enough, a brand new one came back in the mail! I thought that was a reasonable deal.
Evidently, even compasses have gotten to the point where they are a throw away, as repair labor is more expensive than the regular production line items.
Ritchie is one of those truly outstanding American companies. One of their compasses is aboard every U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessel. If you're ever in the vicinity, stop by their shop in Pembroke (it's a few minutes at most from the highway exit.) Well worth the trip!
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| jgortva |
Posted on 03/17/17 - 6:23 AM
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I can wholeheartedly agree on Ritchie being a great company. I also had a Ritchie compass that lost its fluid. I tried to fill it my self first getting mineral oil which really was too thick, to also using West Marine's Compass oil. I got it filled, but you will never get it filled all the way with no air bubble. I then sent it to Ritchie after a friend told me they would rebuild the compass for roughly 60% of what a new one would cost. My model was discontinued an mounted in such a way that I needed that exact same footprint. So, they were a lifesaver for me and yes the compass they sent back did not really resemble the one I sent them. It was like brand new.
Jim G.
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| Pinion |
Posted on 04/11/17 - 9:08 AM
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I re-did the compass on my Revenge. It was a last minute thing before I decided to sell it. Use Odorless Mineral Spirits from the hardware store. You'll need 1-2 cans. Buy the new gasket from Ritchie because it's developed a crack. You can do it in a few hours with help from a few beers. Dont mess around with the two brass slotted screws when you get in there. They are for calibrating the compass.
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| jcdawg83 |
Posted on 04/13/17 - 11:05 AM
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Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to send it to Ritchie for them to repair. This seems like the kind of job I start out thinking I can do easily and end up with a few hours of sweat and cursing invested and still have to send it off to a qualified person to repair it.
That said, I bought a new F82 Ritchie compass and when it was delivered I discovered that I actually need an HF-742. If anyone would like to buy an F82, I will sell it to them for $100.
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| fitz73222 |
Posted on 04/13/17 - 11:19 AM
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jcdawg83 wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to send it to Ritchie for them to repair. This seems like the kind of job I start out thinking I can do easily and end up with a few hours of sweat and cursing invested and still have to send it off to a qualified person to repair it.
That said, I bought a new F82 Ritchie compass and when it was delivered I discovered that I actually need an HF-742. If anyone would like to buy an F82, I will sell it to them for $100.
Hi Jcdawg,
I happen to need a F82 for my old 22-2 Aquasport, I would be interested.
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