Greetings. I've just bought my second ketch to replace one lost to Katrina. I have a compass with a large air bubble in it. Can anyone help with repair/refilling the compass, please? Thanks Moonstone
Moonstone,This may help. In 2008 I noticed I had lost some fluid in my compass on futher inspection one light was out card faded dome not as clear as it should be.After thirtyfive years I can't bitch much.The compass is filled mineral spirits you can refill it,but how did it loose it's liquid.I sent mine to Island Compass @505 Little Cove Lane,Lake Wylie S.C. 29710 phone 1-888-269-3810.It came back in about ten days looking like new.He pretty much rebuilt it.Parts were 121.51 Labor 75.00 freight 13.49. hope this is some help Allen
You can buy compass fluid at West Marine. It's like $10 for a bottle. Remove the compass and there is a fill hole on the side. Takes some patience, buts it's an easy fix. I did mine about 3 years ago and still holding up fine.
Thanks for the input. Good advice.
One last little tid bit...
When you refill the compass place the compass and the fluid in the refrigerator and let them both get cold. This shrinks the compass and the fluid. When you refill it, undoubtedly there will be a small bubble lurking some where. When the compass warms up, any bubble will disappear as the pressure goes up.
I read this a few years back by a guy that repairs compasses for a living and it worked on mine.
Dale