Danforth constellation compass on the C&C 30 MK1 1981

[ltgoshen]

O.K
I need help again with the East Coast lady. Her compass has a bubble in the top? Is this a DIY Project? Are there instructions on how to take one take it off the binnacle and take it apart to fix the bubble issue?
Any help here will be greatly appreciated. By the way we are almost ready to announce a christen date for the Lady. And we will share the total fix up cost. I will be putting it on the blog post as soon as we get the floors in and the traveler fixed.

[rugosa]

IMHO your 31 year old compass has paid it's dues. Sailnet has this RITCHIE DNP-200 NAVIGATOR COMPASS on sale for $350 (full disclosure I DO NOT WORK FOR SAILNET). That's like $11.29 a year, and if you only sail 12 times a year that's less than a buck a sail. What a deal for a reliable and necessary piece of equipment.

Generally your compass is easy to remove. There will be a few screws at the top of the SS housing (maybe under the light housing) and compass should lift off houseing. The houseing is fastened to the top of the steering pedestal. Pair of light wires to disconnect and you are done. Cracking the compass, filling it, getting a reliable seal and balancing should be left to a pro, but you can carry it in for service. It's filled with mineral oil. A new one will have install instructions and a warranty.

Whether you go new or used have a pro swing it after installation.

10 weeks to launch here on Lake Ontario. Can't launch until club docks go in. Can't wait.

[JimsCAL]

Take it to a compass repairer. They will have the right fluid to add.

[ltgoshen]

Well heres the thing. There are like 4 inner screws and 2 outer screws and 2 screws at below on either sides. I took the 2 top screws lose to try to remove the whole thing it became lose but would not lift off the binnicle. Then I tried the outer countersunk screws, thats when the bubbles came up. Now I dont know what to do. I would like to know how to remove it from the binnicle to take it to the shop. I took the light off the rear and there are more counter sunk screws. The only scres I did not try was the 2 on the botton side. Any help?

[rugosa]

Go to http://www.vikingcompass.com/ It's the first 4 you removed, compass is heavy but you should be able to manouver it out, there are adjusting rods on the side of the compass inside the binnacle that can get hung up when lifting.

[ltgoshen]

Ok the thins is lose side to side but will not lift? Must be the rods I guess.

[msmith10]

On my C&C 30 with Constellation compass and Edson pedestal, there's a simple spring pin that you pull and the whole compass lifts out. I can't remember the exact location but it's somewhere along the binnacle.

[celenoglu]

Remove the compass without touching thescrewsthat caused the bubble. After removal, make sure one of those screws is top of the unit. Unscrew that screw and apply some pressure the body. Allow some fluid to escape. Rethigten the screw. That should do it.

[ltgoshen]

Originally Posted by msmith10

On my C&C 30 with Constellation compass and Edson pedestal, there's a simple spring pin that you pull and the whole compass lifts out.

I cant find the pin? I will look again today. thanks for your help.