Guys, One more question...Over the winter I must have developed a leak in my compass. It's kind of old, but it keeps a good course & I'm wondering if I need to replace it or if I can top off the fluid. Any ideas? Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
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Don Berger
Compass leak
Allan It depends on what compass. You can refill a Richie by inverting the compass and injecting fluid in the fill hole which is on the side of the housing. As long as you don't have a leak in the bladder gasket, this will work easily. Don
Allan It depends on what compass. You can refill a Richie by inverting the compass and injecting fluid in the fill hole which is on the side of the housing. As long as you don't have a leak in the bladder gasket, this will work easily. Don
G
Gord May
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Don
Not alcohol
I don't think any compass mfg these days uses alcohol. The fluid is mineral oil and although some folks claim to have good luck with substitutes, compass mineral oil won't cloud or eat through the gaskets. You can buy it at most chandlerys and I've seen it at West Marine too. Don
I don't think any compass mfg these days uses alcohol. The fluid is mineral oil and although some folks claim to have good luck with substitutes, compass mineral oil won't cloud or eat through the gaskets. You can buy it at most chandlerys and I've seen it at West Marine too. Don
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Peter
Ritchie compass fluid
Ritchie uses odorless mineral spirits, except for some really old compasses. See the following link. http://www.ritchienavigation.com/service/faq.html
Ritchie uses odorless mineral spirits, except for some really old compasses. See the following link. http://www.ritchienavigation.com/service/faq.html
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Mark
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Ed Ryan
Another alternative
This costs a little more (OK - maybe a lot more) but Ritchie will service the compass for a fee (about $100). I had mine done this way, and it came back looking like a brand new compass. The bowl is clear (used to be yellowing), new wires, new gasket, etc.)
This costs a little more (OK - maybe a lot more) but Ritchie will service the compass for a fee (about $100). I had mine done this way, and it came back looking like a brand new compass. The bowl is clear (used to be yellowing), new wires, new gasket, etc.)
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tom
I wouldn't use olive oil!!!!
I replaced my fluid with mineral spirits. Mineral oil is too heavy. Olive oil will grow stuff.
I replaced my fluid with mineral spirits. Mineral oil is too heavy. Olive oil will grow stuff.
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Allen
To Ed:
Ed, That's a great idea. How did you contact Richie? Did you have to ship your compass to them or was there a local place to drop it off? --Allen
Ed, That's a great idea. How did you contact Richie? Did you have to ship your compass to them or was there a local place to drop it off? --Allen
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J.B. Dyer
Echo Peter
Having recently replaced the dome on my 21 year old Ritchie and having dealt personally with Ritchie's parts department, Peter is right on this. Ritchie, a long time ago, used an alcolhol/water mix. They switched to odorless mineral spirits about 23 years ago. Do not confuse mineral oil with mineral spirits. Mineral oil thickens in the cold and mineral spirits does not. They have recently switched to a new filler, however, I don't remember what they called it as it didn't apply to my use. If you can identify the leaking area and you do have Ritchie, their parts are readily available, all you need is your model and serial number. Their phone number is 781 826 5131. By the way, I don't believe that I would be using olive oil, too thick. Luck with it!
Having recently replaced the dome on my 21 year old Ritchie and having dealt personally with Ritchie's parts department, Peter is right on this. Ritchie, a long time ago, used an alcolhol/water mix. They switched to odorless mineral spirits about 23 years ago. Do not confuse mineral oil with mineral spirits. Mineral oil thickens in the cold and mineral spirits does not. They have recently switched to a new filler, however, I don't remember what they called it as it didn't apply to my use. If you can identify the leaking area and you do have Ritchie, their parts are readily available, all you need is your model and serial number. Their phone number is 781 826 5131. By the way, I don't believe that I would be using olive oil, too thick. Luck with it!
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J.B. Dyer
To Allen
Not to cut in on Ed, just to give you a quick answer. It would require you to ship it to one of their service centers or to the factory. Their address's and shipping information can be found on Peters web attachment, or you can call the number that I put in my previous post.
Not to cut in on Ed, just to give you a quick answer. It would require you to ship it to one of their service centers or to the factory. Their address's and shipping information can be found on Peters web attachment, or you can call the number that I put in my previous post.
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Geoffrey Kloster
Contact Ritchie pat@ritchienavigation.com.
I just contacted Pat last week. He gave me a quote of $223 for my 30 yr old Globemaster that has never been serviced. Exact price will not be determined until the've seen your compass. I'll send it to him but if there's a dealer near by you it may be less expensive to go there and avoid shipping. Geoff
I just contacted Pat last week. He gave me a quote of $223 for my 30 yr old Globemaster that has never been serviced. Exact price will not be determined until the've seen your compass. I'll send it to him but if there's a dealer near by you it may be less expensive to go there and avoid shipping. Geoff
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