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compass fluid

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Larry
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/13/2006 : 14:47:04

When I purchased my boat the compass mounted in the cockpit was bone dry (no fluid at all). Friends told me I should throw it out but I figured I would try and refill it and see what happened. Based on what I found on this site (I think) I used mineral oil to refill. Of course it eventually leaked, albeit slowly.
The compasss is a Ritchie HV-76 and after taking it apart I found that the diaphram is cracked. I have ordered the part.
My question regards what to re-fill the compasss with. The Ritchie website indicates mineral spirits but I thought that must be a clerical error. When I ordered the part though I asked and sure enough they said they fill their compasses with mineral spirits (paint thinner).
Now maybe I'm being paranoid or overly cautious but that sounds dangerous to me. In the case of a fire on the boat, that is a bomb. The oil didn't seem to slow the movement of the needle too much and I assume it is considerably less volatile.
So should I follow the manufacturer's instructions or go back to the mineral oil.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Larry
"Kate Caroline" 1985
Great South Bay, Long Island, NY

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Heartbeat
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2006 : 15:01:09

Mineral spirits. Hunh. I would not have known that.

The thing is they need oxygen to burn. I wouldn't think of it as a bomb, but more of another source of a combustible. Less flammable than gas, even. I keep a can of sail lube and a can of stanless lubricant in the boat cabin. In the event of a fire, they will burn as well I expect. I would call it a low risk.

-Matt Q.

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2006 : 16:44:21

Send it to Ritchie. I've heard of several instances where they have repaired them, and re-filled them, for free.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2006 : 06:54:38

Does it need to be re-spun after refilling?

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Larry
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2006 : 08:48:26

Re-spun?

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2006 : 12:20:04

re-Calibrated - I believe or at least thought the technical term was spinning the compass.

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Larry
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2006 : 13:15:19

maybe I'll check it against another compass. The company rep didn't mention re-calibrating. Thanks for the help.

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 09:30:05

When I flew in the Canadian airforce there was a retrofit to most/all aircraft to replace the ethanol in the flight instruments with kerosine. Word was that they were afraid that if we survived a crash in the north we would drink our instruments.

I was wondering if they meant kerosine when they referred to mineral spirits.

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crcalhoon
Captain

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USA
303 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 11:52:53

The correct term is "swinging" the compass. I had it done once back before GPS and it was quite an interesting sight to see. I wish I could remember all the details, (1989). I remember that he brought some of his own intrumentation, and we sat in the turning basin of the marina (weekday) I turned the boat to various headings while he checked things and made adjustments and notes. Later he sent me a deviation card specifically made for my compass and boat. It wasn't large deviations, a degree here and there, with one spot as I remember, that was about 3 degrees. That wouldn't be much of a factor on a small or even medium sized lake, but on a long trip, even a degree or two could really throw you off.

Don't know how they do it today, I suspect utilizing GPS in some manner or other.

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 15:15:19

I had a similar leak in the diaphram of my compass. I got a quote to replace the diaphram and the globe, which is showing its age, that exceeded the cost of a new compass. I have a new compass.

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duanewolff
Master Marine Consultant

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50022 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2006 : 18:29:11

I looked for a good web article on swinging the compass. There were tons with no real consensus. except for the card at the end.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.