So what is the trick to getting the compass bubble out upon refilling??? I know the pros use some sort of vacuum arrangement. But since I am not going to invest in that, anyone have any recommended workarounds? I have a Ritchie which was leaking. Put a new diaphragm in and leak is fixed. Just got the bubble trouble!
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Bubble repair
More than 3 years ago I developed a bubble in my compass. I ordered some of the special compass oil from WM or from Ritchie and as I recall it was about $12 with shipping. I gently snugged all of the screws around the top of the compass since there is a gasket in there. I turned the compass on its side, removed the screw plug in the fill hole. I kept the fill near vertical, facing up and filled with an eye dropper and gently rocked the compass to work any air to the surface of the fill hole. I put the plug back in and tightened. It lasted for three years until just recently when the bubble reappeared. I plan to fill it again the same way I did last time. The alternative is to send it back to the manufacturer for professional repair. I have sent previous compasses several years ago for repair with very good results.
More than 3 years ago I developed a bubble in my compass. I ordered some of the special compass oil from WM or from Ritchie and as I recall it was about $12 with shipping. I gently snugged all of the screws around the top of the compass since there is a gasket in there. I turned the compass on its side, removed the screw plug in the fill hole. I kept the fill near vertical, facing up and filled with an eye dropper and gently rocked the compass to work any air to the surface of the fill hole. I put the plug back in and tightened. It lasted for three years until just recently when the bubble reappeared. I plan to fill it again the same way I did last time. The alternative is to send it back to the manufacturer for professional repair. I have sent previous compasses several years ago for repair with very good results.
Photo of Compass
The attached photo shows the fill plug in the side of the compass and the bottle of oil used to fill it.
The attached photo shows the fill plug in the side of the compass and the bottle of oil used to fill it.
Attachments
Oops, didn't use fill hole
Thanks for the info. I actually filled the compass prior to putting in the new diaphragm. To tell the truth I didn't even know about that fill hole. I will give it a try. As far as fluid. I used ordorless mineral spirits. It is about $2 per quart. Ritchie used this as a standard they told me until a few years ago when they replaced it with some special Exxon-Mobil product with a higher flash point. I could not find that fluid anywhere in consumer quantity, but I think Ritchie will sell to anyone. I think the mineral spirits will be just fine.
Thanks for the info. I actually filled the compass prior to putting in the new diaphragm. To tell the truth I didn't even know about that fill hole. I will give it a try. As far as fluid. I used ordorless mineral spirits. It is about $2 per quart. Ritchie used this as a standard they told me until a few years ago when they replaced it with some special Exxon-Mobil product with a higher flash point. I could not find that fluid anywhere in consumer quantity, but I think Ritchie will sell to anyone. I think the mineral spirits will be just fine.
Compass bubble
Don, Just did the same thing to my compass and even using the fill hole, you cannot eliminate the bubble entirely unless you use a syringe. I bought a disposable syringe from my local drug store and squirted the last few CCs in. Hope this helps. Lee
Don, Just did the same thing to my compass and even using the fill hole, you cannot eliminate the bubble entirely unless you use a syringe. I bought a disposable syringe from my local drug store and squirted the last few CCs in. Hope this helps. Lee
How about this.
I have never had this problem but the method I think I would use would be to immerse the whole compass in a container of light mineral oil or similar, wiggle it around to get the air out, then re-insert the screw while the compass was still submerged. The oil will not harm the exterior of the compass and you are prety well guaranteed not to get air in. You have to buy a little more oil for sure, but that stuff is real cheap.
I have never had this problem but the method I think I would use would be to immerse the whole compass in a container of light mineral oil or similar, wiggle it around to get the air out, then re-insert the screw while the compass was still submerged. The oil will not harm the exterior of the compass and you are prety well guaranteed not to get air in. You have to buy a little more oil for sure, but that stuff is real cheap.
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