Repair or Replace a Ritchie Compass

[tpenfield]

Last time I used my boat, I noticed that the compass was no longer filled with oil. So, I'm assuming a seal or something let go. I searched for similar threads here and there was one about 6 months ago.

I think my options are (1) to try a DIY repair and refill, or (2) just replace the compass.

​I am assuming the thing leaked and discharged because of an aged seal, but I am not familiar with the details of compasses.

​Just wondering if this can be a DIY fix, or should I just go new. I can get a new one here on iBoats for under $200, which is fine. There is an LED light on the original one, which may require some wire splicing if I get a new one.

Based on the recent thread, it looks like having Ritchie repair the compass rivals the cost of a new one. Just wondering if these things can be easiy repaired, or if it is rocket science. :noidea:

​TIA for any insight :thumb:

 

[alldodge]

There is a thread where a guy on the cruiser forum repaired his for about $10 and filled with mineral sprits

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f121/replacing-fluid-in-ritchie-compass-15208.html

The one on my Rinker did the same thing a couple years ago but I'm in a lake so no need for it. Can see where it could come in handy for you

 

[NYBo]

There is a thread where a guy on the cruiser forum repaired his for about $10 and filled with mineral sprits

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f121/replacing-fluid-in-ritchie-compass-15208.html

The one on my Rinker did the same thing a couple years ago but I'm in a lake so no need for it. Can see where it could come in handy for you

I know the guy said mineral spirits, but I think mineral oil is more likely the proper fluid. A later reply in that thread points in that direction.

 

[alldodge]

Good catch, thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks, AD :thumb:

I'll see if I can diagnose & fix it myself. I imagine just filling it back up will not do the trick as there must be a seal or o-ring that caused the leak.

Can't complain though. . . 21 year old compass.

 

[tpenfield]

OK, I found what looks to be the part diagram for the compass.



The compass was completely empty (no fluid remaining) so I am thinking it may be the diaphragm (part #3) that went bad :noidea: Looks like there is a dome o-ring and a fill plug o-ring as other potential culprits. I guess I'll have to see this weekend.

 

[jkust]

My factory installed Ritchie bit the dist last year same as yours. There was a video or two in youtube of folks attempting a refill with the proper fluid which is available on Amazon and you'd need a large syringe. I didn't have time for playing around with it so just bought an exact replacement. The LED of course is on the replacement as well but the re-connection and waterproof splicing is only as difficult as the amount of room you have to work with under the helm. For me, the hardest part is that the compass is mounted on the top of the helm dash and the angle of the windshield doesn't allow a straight screwdriver so had to use a 90 degree phillips. It's about a 2 out of 10 for difficulty if you just replace.

 

[Ned L]

Unfortunately it being completely empty (I am thinking) points to the diaphragm being bad. That isn't a typical DIY repair. (It is what allows for expansion and contraction of the fluid due to temperature and barametric changes.)

 

[dingbat]

I've rebuilt 3 in the past 4 years.

You'll need the model number and you can order the repair kit. Google Ritchie compass parts. I think the guy is in New England.

Easy to do. The trick is on filling it back up.

Fill as full as possible then put in the freezer for an hour or so. Then top it off again and put in the plug. I used a glue syringe for the last part. Let warm up and no bubble......

Btw, you where right the first time. Mineral oil is too thick. You use mineral sprites to fill the globe

 

[Old Ironmaker]

There is a thread where a guy on the cruiser forum repaired his for about $10 and filled with mineral sprits

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f121/replacing-fluid-in-ritchie-compass-15208.html

I'm in a lake so no need for it. Can see where it could come in handy for you

I value your opinion and am a bit confused when you say " I'm on a lake so no need for it." I am trying to learn to use a compass properly on the water and no one yet has been able to explain it in layman's terms, either that or all the guys I know with compasses haven't a clue what they are looking at . So I'm very interested in knowing what you mean by that? I am on the north shore of Lake Erie. We got into the worse fog I have ever seen a few years back, I'm talking stew not soup. The Marina operator had to go out and bring in a boat. No idea how he found him to this day. Worse he ever saw in 50 years on Erie. Had I not had my GPS we could have ended up on the rocks. If not for the GPS I don't know what I would have done. Take a North heading and crash on the 5 mile wide shoreline of rock or head south east and listen for lake freighters.

 

[JoLin]

Getting a little off topic, but.... compasses and paper charts go hand in hand. Every one of my often-used routes is plotted on a physical chart, in addition to the electronic routing on my GPS. Proper charting of a course on paper includes the direction (magnetic bearing) and length of each leg of the route.

That said, even if you know precisely where you are and where you need to go, compasses are only slightly effective in reduced visibility conditions, for the simple reason that almost nobody has their compass calibrated for the deviation (not variation- that's different) present on their particular boat. Every piece of electronic gear you mount in the vicinity of the compass, effects its accuracy. Wind and current also take you off your course line, and you won't know that by looking at the compass. For the average boater, using a compass or GPS in fog should be a last ditch effort to get someplace because you have no other choice (like a medical emergency). Unless you have radar you're much better off dropping an anchor and waiting it out.

I learned how to use my compass when I took the US Power Squadron's 'Seamanship' and 'Piloting' courses. However, you need to be a member to have access to the advanced courses. The Seamanship course is, IMO, the best all-around course they offer for recreational boaters.

 

[alldodge]

Didn't re-read the Cruiser forum link just assumed I missed the sprits/oil issue.

Gordmay said: Ritchie made compasses with both alcohol and odourless mineral oil (and now Isopar L) types of fluid

Guess just need to make sure before filling.

 

[alldodge]

I value your opinion and am a bit confused when you say " I'm on a lake so no need for it." I am trying to learn to use a compass properly on the water and no one yet has been able to explain it in layman's terms, either that or all the guys I know with compasses haven't a clue what they are looking at . So I'm very interested in knowing what you mean by that? I am on the north shore of Lake Erie. We got into the worse fog I have ever seen a few years back, I'm talking stew not soup. The Marina operator had to go out and bring in a boat. No idea how he found him to this day. Worse he ever saw in 50 years on Erie. Had I not had my GPS we could have ended up on the rocks. If not for the GPS I don't know what I would have done. Take a North heading and crash on the 5 mile wide shoreline of rock or head south east and listen for lake freighters.

My lake is small and has many fingers, probably widest spot is 1 mile across an around 35 miles long (depending on which river traveling feed by 3). So I can always see the shore line unless its dark with no moon, or fog. In low visibility I'm using my chart plotter

 

[Thalasso]

[FONT=&quot]Until 2001all Ritchie compasses (see exception) were filled with Odorless Mineral Spirits (100% Paraffin based). Ritchie now uses a fluid called Isopar L

Some old style Flat Top Compasses used a mix of denatured alcohol and water. This process was stopped in the 1960s. If you have a Flat Top Compass, it is recommended that you test the fluid to see if it is Odorless Mineral Spirits or an alcohol/water mix.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If you ever need to refill or top off the fluid in your Ritchie compass, the manufacturer recommends Isopar L, an odorless, colorless, refined synthetic fluid. Its low viscosity promotes quick swinging. Won't freeze or boil off at temperatures from -40? to 200? F., and it may be mixed with the mineral oil already in compasses made before 2001[/FONT]​

 

[tpenfield]

I took that compass out of the boat . . . It is a Ritchie HF-73-T. I disassembled it . . the diaphragm looked to be intact and held fluid. I'm thinking the o-ring over the lens started to leak.

Anyway, rather than futz with it, I ordered a new one (HF-743) here on iBoats :thumb: It seems that you need an adapter ring to mount the new ones in an opening for the one ones.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

My lake is small and has many fingers, probably widest spot is 1 mile across an around 35 miles long (depending on which river traveling feed by 3). So I can always see the shore line unless its dark with no moon, or fog. In low visibility I'm using my chart plotter

I'm starting to get it. I have a post on another forum here so I don't get this thread any further off the rails. Thanks all and sorry tpenfield.

 

[dingbat]

Didn't re-read the Cruiser forum link just assumed I missed the sprits/oil issue.

Guess just need to make sure before filling.

Easier to just drain and start over again.

Isopar L is the Exxon trade name for oderless mineral sprites. Generic OMS can be bought at any hardware or big box store

 

[tpenfield]

Update:

I had the boat out today . . . the bay was very flat, so it made for a decent opportunity to install the new compass. Took a lot longer than I was planning (2 hours vs. 30 mins), but it is done.

The wiring for the panel lights was a bit tricky to get at and splice, which took a lot of time.



Since the new models are a tad smaller than the ones from 20 years ago, there is an adapter ring that goes under the compass mounting flange, so no drilling or cutting was required. Pretty much plug 'n play.


Wouldn't you know we were anchored due North (magnetic) :thumb:

 

[tpenfield]

BTW - I ordered the compass right here on iBoats :thumb: