When we purchased our 95 H26 it came with two compasses. They are mounted one on each side of the bulkhead. Well, due to crazing of the dome(I think)some of the fluid in both the units have started to evaporate leaving air gaps. I called a compass place and they told me to junk them and buy new units. These are Aqua Meter Saturn A140's. My questions are do I have to junk these and pay $$$$ for new ones or can the fluid be replaced? MY wife suggested that I buy just one unit and fill the hole in on the side with the left over hole.If I do that what can you fill it in with so it looks acceptable? Thanks Paul H S/V Linda Belle. 95 H26
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Steve O.
Two?
Not sure why the PO had two compasses--remember the old adage about a man with two watches never knows for sure what time it is, but a man with one watch always does. The fluid can be replaced and some HOWers have done it so they will probably weigh in here. The crazing is another problem but I have had some success with an acrylic treating product called Novus that also works on crazed port lenses.
Not sure why the PO had two compasses--remember the old adage about a man with two watches never knows for sure what time it is, but a man with one watch always does. The fluid can be replaced and some HOWers have done it so they will probably weigh in here. The crazing is another problem but I have had some success with an acrylic treating product called Novus that also works on crazed port lenses.
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Dave Crowley
Also remember...
If I recall from the archives, a compass on the starboard side of an H-26 can be unreliable due to the electrical panel interference -- if you're going to keep one, keep it on the port side. Dave Crowley Wind Dreamer
If I recall from the archives, a compass on the starboard side of an H-26 can be unreliable due to the electrical panel interference -- if you're going to keep one, keep it on the port side. Dave Crowley Wind Dreamer
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Frank Ladd
I like Suunto
I'd buy a Suunto to avoid the crazing problem. If it is not to bad I think you can just add mineral oil so long as the rest of the compass is OK. I've seen two or more compasses on racing boats where you cannot easily see them all but two compasses where you can see them both makes no sense to me. Take the one that has the least crazing fill it with oil from the one that has the most crazing and install it on the port side. Plug the hole on the Starboard side and you'll be fine.
I'd buy a Suunto to avoid the crazing problem. If it is not to bad I think you can just add mineral oil so long as the rest of the compass is OK. I've seen two or more compasses on racing boats where you cannot easily see them all but two compasses where you can see them both makes no sense to me. Take the one that has the least crazing fill it with oil from the one that has the most crazing and install it on the port side. Plug the hole on the Starboard side and you'll be fine.
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Paul H
Compass Problems CONTINUED
The problem with refilling them is there is no fill hole just a rubber diaphragm in back.THis is why the compass dealer told to just throw them away. I thought about using a hypodermic needle to inject the fluid through the diaphragm then sealing the puncture. Along with this I would wax the crazed dome with a good car wax to hopefully prevent seepage. Am I going overboard on this??? Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
The problem with refilling them is there is no fill hole just a rubber diaphragm in back.THis is why the compass dealer told to just throw them away. I thought about using a hypodermic needle to inject the fluid through the diaphragm then sealing the puncture. Along with this I would wax the crazed dome with a good car wax to hopefully prevent seepage. Am I going overboard on this??? Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Ron Mehringer
Can't hurt
Paul - It can't hurt to try, so go for it. I assume you're not relying on the compass for critical navigation. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Paul - It can't hurt to try, so go for it. I assume you're not relying on the compass for critical navigation. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
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Rick Macdonald
Electrical panel compass interference
I'm removing the compass from my starboard bulkhead (H23.5) for a few reasons. First, it's in the way of my canvas hatch/companionway cover. Second, it doesn't work. It's as if stuck. I can turn a circle and it either doesn't move at all or only a little or gets stuck on a could headings. Lastly, I don't need it because I can see my marina from most parts of my 1x7 mile lake. Are these the symptoms of electrical interference? I always have the BiData speed/depth turned on, and it's right above the compass. I never thought to try turning the Bidata off. Would turning everything off get away from the interference?
I'm removing the compass from my starboard bulkhead (H23.5) for a few reasons. First, it's in the way of my canvas hatch/companionway cover. Second, it doesn't work. It's as if stuck. I can turn a circle and it either doesn't move at all or only a little or gets stuck on a could headings. Lastly, I don't need it because I can see my marina from most parts of my 1x7 mile lake. Are these the symptoms of electrical interference? I always have the BiData speed/depth turned on, and it's right above the compass. I never thought to try turning the Bidata off. Would turning everything off get away from the interference?
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Paul H
Electrical interference
Rick, I'm like you. We sail on a big lake where it's not critical that the compass work exactly. However, I did notice there was always a difference in the reading between the starboard compass and the port one. I attributed to the electrical panel being in close proximity to the starboard compass. Paul H S/V linda Belle 95 H26
Rick, I'm like you. We sail on a big lake where it's not critical that the compass work exactly. However, I did notice there was always a difference in the reading between the starboard compass and the port one. I attributed to the electrical panel being in close proximity to the starboard compass. Paul H S/V linda Belle 95 H26
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Rick Macdonald
Sounds different
Yeah, mine practically sticks in one place throughout an entire 360 turn. I think it's hosed. The inclinometer (is that a word?) also sticks: it doesn't show past 15 degrees or so even when other boats say they saw my centreboard.
Yeah, mine practically sticks in one place throughout an entire 360 turn. I think it's hosed. The inclinometer (is that a word?) also sticks: it doesn't show past 15 degrees or so even when other boats say they saw my centreboard.
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