H23.5 com

[Dennis Kitchen]

I recently replaced my bulkhead compass and during the process discovered that the companionway bulkheads slope toward the bow as they move toward the centerline, about 2 1/2 to 3 degrees of permanent installed compass error.

So I made a sloped shim from Meranti plywood. It's sealed in epoxy and gel coate and is glued to the bulkhead with Sika 291. The compass through-bolts then go through the entire assy.
Of course I discovered the sloping bulkhead after I did an install and cut my through-bolts off to length. With the shim now installed the bolts are too short to attach the back cover. Cudos to Ritchie Navigation as they are sending a new installation package free of charge. BTW, this is a nice compass the Ritchie Venture SR-22.

Dennis

 

[Regular Guy]

Amazing job!!

 

[Tom2909]

Very nice!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Thank you for sharing. Great job.

 

[CrispyCringle]

Nice job. I put the same compass in last winter, and in the same place. However, I just went old school and subtract 5 degrees. Good enough for my inland purposes. I just got the compass for low visibility situations where I cant use landmarks.

Did you hook up the backlight? And if so, how did you physically connect it. My intention is to have it ON when the position lights are on. But the wiring is so heavy coming off the breaker panel that I haven't felt like splicing into that. Putting it off till next winter.

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

Nice job. I put the same compass in last winter, and in the same place. However, I just went old school and subtract 5 degrees. Good enough for my inland purposes. I just got the compass for low visibility situations where I cant use landmarks.

Did you hook up the backlight? And if so, how did you physically connect it. My intention is to have it ON when the position lights are on. But the wiring is so heavy coming off the breaker panel that I haven't felt like splicing into that. Putting it off till next winter.

Hi Crispy,
This unit replaced an original Ritchie that is no longer made. I had wiring already in place that as you suggest becomes powered when the navigation lights come on. I added the compensator option which is the reason for the "key slot" on the bottom. Doesn't appear now that I needed it but it will be there if ever needed.
Dennis

 

[Doug J]

Beautiful installation!
I didn't take that angle into consideration when I installed my Plastimo Contest 101 compass. I suppose I should have - doh!

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

Beautiful installation!
I didn't take that angle into consideration when I installed my Plastimo Contest 101 compass. I suppose I should have - doh!
View attachment 138691
View attachment 138692

Doug,
Figure about a three degree subtraction to get your actual heading for the 23.5. Your boat I don't know but you can check it with a straight edge, bezel, and protractor. I like your compass. I am considering that one for my rebuild project.
Dennis

 

[Doug J]

I didn't buy a compensator, but do you think it would be possible with one to adjust for the angle?

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

I didn't buy a compensator, but do you think it would be possible with one to adjust for the angle?

The compensator adjusts for magnetic deviation;i.e., error caused by local magnetic interference from other structures and installed equipment creating a field near the compass. It averages the error for opposite headings. Cannot be used for installation error. I think your unit has a built in compensator. See your manual for instructions.
Dennis

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Dennis Kitchen, Kermit, Regular Guy and others who now are sharing their experience and mostly expertise, not only am I very grateful for your help to others but a great Thank you Gentlemen for your time and assistance on this forum.
Sadly to say on the news, Kermit is getting a new voice. OMG, a different voice, now what?

 

[GGordonWoody]

Dennis Kitchen, Kermit, Regular Guy and others who now are sharing their experience and mostly expertise, not only am I very grateful for your help to others but a great Thank you Gentlemen for your time and assistance on this forum.
Sadly to say on the news, Kermit is getting a new voice. OMG, a different voice, now what?

Concur! Eagerly awaiting a new video from Mr. Kitchen performing a mast walk, and waiting to hear the new frog. What if he now sounds like Gilbert Godfried?