Repair of Ritchie Compass

[mr300z87]

Within a day of reading this thread http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...-engine-topics
My F83 Ritchie compass lost all its fuild. Up until then I had a large bubble on top but enough fluid to still work. So I started to look around at replacements, Ritchie still makes an F83 model but it requires a bigger hole be cut. Not wanting to cut nor spend the $$s on a new relatively useless accessory (but my OCD requires everything to work) I decided to attempt to repair it. I called Ritchie and ordered a new Diaphram, o-ring for dome, the dome and the o-ring for the filler plug. All this cost about $25. I also asked the Ritchie customer service rep what to fill it with and he said Odorless Mineral Spirits which I bought at lowes, I will document the process here since I found very little info out there. This what I am working on it is the original compass from my 1990 Sea Ray Sundancer 250 DA
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[mr300z87]

I stated by making marks insure it went back the same way then removed the 2 screws holding the bottom cover on then 8 screws holding the bottom which also seals the diaphragm
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Once removed the Diaphram just comes out

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[mr300z87]

Next I removed the 8 screws that held down the dome
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These are the new part ordered from Ritchie

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[mr300z87]

Here I found the cause of the leak dried out cracked diaphram.
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At first I re assembled everything with new diaphragm, dome o-ring, dome and filler screw o-ring and tried to fill through filler hole which is about 1/8". I was using a 10ml syringe I got from the CVC pharmacy (just asked the pharmacist it was free) This proved to me messy and slow. So I decided to take the bottom off again removed the diaphragm and filled with odorless mineral spirits.

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Here is the new diaphragm in place
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bottom section back on, I then turn the unit on it side so the bubble that remaned was just under the fill screw. I then removed the screw and used the syringe to fill the rest of the way. It seems there is just a small bubble, about 1/8th diameter which I can live with. After I finished I read the paper that came in the package which said to put the fluid into the freezer before filling.

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Here it is ready to go back in the boat. I'll let it sit on the bench for a day and check for leaks. The weather here at the Jersey Shore kinda stinks this weekend but we hope to salvage Monday.

 

[alldodge]

Real nice, I might have to fix the one on my Rinker now. Hey tpenfield what ya think?

 

[tpenfield]

I think you could repair the compass - I just didn't want to be fixing a 21 year old compass.

 

[alldodge]

Didn't mean it like that, just the thing that appears to be done easy, and you were thinking about it last time, so just info only.

 

[mr300z87]

Thanks for the kind words AD!! This was an easy rainy day project, it took maybe 2 hours. With the GPS on board and cell phones in everybody's pocket the compass is kind of obsolete. As mentioned above the it was mostly my issue with things that are broken that made me fix it besides it is kinda cool to look at when it all full of fluid and has a shiny new dome. We primarily boat in the safety of the in shore areas of Barnegat Bay I have never really learned how to properly navigate with a compass. Can't wait to fix the dash light to see it lit up . BTW it been 6 hour since I finished and all seems dry which means no leaks. Waiting for the rains to get out of here so I can get to the boat to re install it, Have a great labor day weekend.

 

[dingbat]

It seems there is just a small bubble, about 1/8th diameter which I can live with. After I finished I read the paper that came in the package which said to put the fluid into freezer

Now that you have the compass full of fluid, put it in the freezer for 2 hours. Then remove and top of the fluid. Your bubble will be gone once it warms back up to room temp.

 

[tpenfield]

Didn't mean it like that, just the thing that appears to be done easy, and you were thinking about it last time, so just info only.

OK, no worries. I still have my old compass and it looks like it is quite repairable. I might try it over the winter. I think the o-ring started to leak because the diaphragm seems to hold water.

 

[achris]

I think you could repair the compass - I just didn't want to be fixing a 21 year old compass.

Nothing wrong with fixing old gear, if it's worth fixing. My 18 year old FURUNO FCV-600L LCD screen died a few months ago. Local agent doesn't carry a new screen any longer. "Must buy new"... Yeah right, at $1200, I don't think so! Besides, I have learned to read the 600L very well, can pick coral from rocks (even in 70m of water!) and mud from sand. So, pulled it apart and found some numbers on the screen. Not a Furuno part after all, a Sharp part. Found new screen on ebay for $130. Just like new.

Chris.........

 

[dingbat]

Nothing wrong with fixing old gear, if it's worth fixing. My 18 year old FURUNO FCV-600L LCD screen died a few months ago. Local agent doesn't carry a new screen any longer. "Must buy new"... Yeah right, at $1200, I don't think so! Besides, I have learned to read the 600L very well, can pick coral from rocks (even in 70m of water!) and mud from sand. So, pulled it apart and found some numbers on the screen. Not a Furuno part after all, a Sharp part. Found new screen on ebay for $130. Just like new.

Chris.........

you missed a perfect opportunity to upgrade big time and for not much more than you paid for the display.

With the release of the 628 units, you can pick up a 627 for next to nothing. The 627 is a huge step up from the 600

 

[achris]

Those deals are never offered in my part of the world.

 

[mr300z87]

Now that you have the compass full of fluid, put it in the freezer for 2 hours. Then remove and top of the fluid. Your bubble will be gone once it warms back up to room temp.

I did as Dingbat said and put it in the freezer for 2 hours and was able to get all but a very tiny little bubble about the size of pin head and it is barely noticeable. I can live with it. Have a great labor day, the weather is supposed to be nice so we hope to get out on the boat.

 

[mr300z87]

Today was a beautiful day here in NJ so the wife and I decide to go to the boat for cruise, before we departed I re installed the repaired compass. I did forget to bring the gasket though so I need to take it back out :facepalm::facepalm:. No big deal its just 3 screws.
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The pin bubble is completely gone and it looks all new and shiny

Although I have to admit during our outing today I did not look at it once. LOL

Tomorrow its back to the real world.

 

[achris]

I have a same thing. I use the 'compass' on the GPS more than the magnetic compass. I also noticed that's a 'rear reading' compass. I prefer 'over the card' myself.

 

[jkust]

Nice write up. I had my ritchie go dry last season as well but unfortunately didn't have the time to fix it. Ordered from Ritchie and a ten minute install and connect the wires and go.