Yes, Ritchie has replacement lights for most models. You can determine the light you need by referring to our Service Manual. Another option is contacting our service department at 781-709-3202 or email service@ritchienavigation.com. With a model and serial number we can tell you which replacement light you require.

What type of fluid is in my Ritchie Magnetic Compass?

Until 2001, all Ritchie compasses (see exception) were filled with odorless mineral spirits. Ritchie now uses a fluid called Isopar L® that has similar properties but some added benefits over odorless mineral spirits. These can be mixed together.

Exception: Some old style Flat Top Compasses used a mix of isopropyl 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 isopropyl alcohol.

What are the wires for on my Ritchie Magnetic Compass?

Most Ritchie compasses come equipped with a night light system which should be connected to the boat’s DC electrical system.

Why are there two sets of wires on my Ritchie Magnetic Compass? What should I do with them?

Some Ritchie compasses have two sets of lights. If this is the case with your compass, twist the positive leads together (red or white wires), the two negative leads together (black wires) and connect them to an appropriately fused circuit (usually the running lights circuit).

Will my compass still work if I do not hook up the light wires?

Yes; unlike electronics, i.e., chart plotters, etc., magnetic compasses do not need electrical power to work. The only part of the compass affected by a loss of power is the night lighting.

Why is my Ritchie Magnetic Compass accurate in one direction but not in another?

Magnetic compasses work by aligning the internal dial magnets with the earth’s magnetic field. However, the earth is not the only object with a magnetic field. Objects on your boat may have a magnetic field which will interfere with the compass’ accuracy. This is known as onboard compass deviation. These fields can sometimes be tricky to find. You can refer to the “Compensation Procedure” page on our website for more information on correcting this problem.

Can I hire someone to Compensate (adjust) my Ritchie compass?

Yes. Although Ritchie provides easy to follow instructions for performing compensation yourself, professionals are generally available. These professionals can be a great help to anyone who has a difficult compass installation. If your compass has a considerable amount of deviation (more than 20°), the built-in compensators may not be enough. A compass adjuster is trained to help you locate potential causes of deviation and make recommendations to reduce them. A compass adjuster should also have a working knowledge of deck magnets. Deck magnets can increase the amount of deviation that can be corrected during compensation. Your local marina or harbor master should be able to put you in touch with a compass adjuster.

With the advent of GPS, why do you need a Magnetic Compass?

A magnetic compass is the cornerstone of any navigation system. The magnetic compass gives you real-time heading for your boat. This information, when added to the position capability of the GPS, provides a complete navigation system. Other devices, such as chart plotters and radars, will add to your navigation capabilities, but you should always start with a properly compensated magnetic compass.

Does my GPS provide heading?

No; GPS can tell you where you are, it knows where you have been, and it can calculate where you are going. It can never give you heading. GPS provides Course over Ground (COG). COG is calculated from historical position data to give average COG. It is important to realize that COG and heading are both an integral part of navigation. Conditions such as wind, tide, current and even physical properties of your boat, can cause differences between COG and heading. Heading is the only reliable reference to steer your vessel accurately under all conditions. A properly compensated magnetic compass is the best device for real time heading information.

Why do the compass and GPS seem to disagree?

The factors which cause the difference between Course over Ground (COG) and heading (see above: “Does my GPS provide heading?”) have a greater affect at slow speeds. More importantly, the GPS, which uses historical data to calculate COG, needs a straight line to give an accurate reading. When you make a turn at slow speed, you will need to travel in a straight line for a period of time before the GPS can give you an accurate calculation. While a boat is at rest, there is no historical data for the GPS. Therefore, there is no COG to report. The COG given by the GPS tends to be erratic and incorrect until you resume movement in a given direction. The magnetic compass, however, will give you accurate heading information in real time, from stop to go, and slow to fast.

If I have problems with my compass is it repairable, if so how?

Yes. Ritchie compasses are designed to be 100% repairable. Ritchie has a network of Authorized Service Stations throughout the world that can handle warranty as well as non-warranty repairs. The factory also has its own in-house Service Department. Please see our return procedure for details. Ritchie stocks parts for all models found in our catalog as well as a number of parts for past models. If you have an older model you may contact the factory or one of our Service Stations for parts availability.

Why does my older Ritchie compass seem slow and unresponsive?

Ritchie compass dials are built with matched hardened steel pivot and sapphire jewel bearing surfaces. Although you can expect to get years of use from your compass, certain parts may begin to wear out. If you notice problems with the dial, contact the factory or an Authorized Service Station.

Why is my Ritchie compass exactly 180 degrees off course?

Ritchie makes three types of dials that read quite differently. If you are not familiar with the difference, you may not be reading the dial properly. The first type is a traditional open face dial; the lubber line marks your heading at the rear of the compass. The second is a direct-read dial, most commonly mistaken for being 180° off course. The key to reading the heading on a direct-read dial is that you must read the front of the dial, not the back; if you hold your compass out in front of you at about eye level you will see the lubber line, which marks the direction you are facing. The third dial type, the CombiDamp style dial, combines features of both dial types and is generally not confused with being 180° off course.

My Ritchie Compass has a bubble or is very low on fluid. Is this a problem?

Ritchie compasses are designed to not have a bubble; if you see a bubble, there is a leak. This may seem unlikely to you, because you may not have noticed any fluid escaping from the compass. Ritchie compasses are filled with Isopar L® or odorless mineral spirits. Both tend to evaporate before it is noticeable. Bubbles may cause a number of problems, so it is recommended that you have the compass repaired as soon as possible.

My compass has a bubble in the morning, but it goes away in the afternoon. Why?

Your compass has most likely developed a very small leak, which has allowed some fluid to escape. When you observe the bubble in the morning, your compass is cool and the missing fluid has caused a bubble to form. As the temperature rises, the fluid expands, thereby taking up volume and making the bubble disappear. This condition is a good warning that you need to have your compass serviced before more fluid escapes.

Isopar L® is a registered trademark of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

If your question has not been answered, please let us know via email.