"Dry" Danforth Compass repair.

[siebt]

I have the factory Danforth wet compass.  This is the second one that I have had that has lost fluid, which causes the compass to "run aground" and stop working.  I know others have had the same problem as I have seen images on this forum of compasses that have made it into the back ground of pictures.

For the one that failed in a previous boat, I removed the compass and put a cut-down cup holder in its place (steering cable is directly below the compass location on a 232) to hold a portable GPS.  I was going to do the same with this boat but decided to try and fix it since I had nothing to lose.

I drilled a small hole in the top of the dome and used a syringe to add mineral spirits.  I then sealed the hole with a small plug made of silicon caulk.  I let a small dab of it set-up to where I could roll it into a ball small enough to go into the hole and act as a plug.

This was weeks ago and it seems to have worked (at least on the bench).  The compass is floating and working again.  The plug as not leaked.

[siebt]

Have tried to add pictures but the "upload" folder is full.  Will try later.

[RobyW1]

Mine ran dry too, I threw it away. Mine had a label on it that said it wasn't refillable. Did you notice this label on yours? I wouldn't have refilled it because on my 232 it would have leaked on the steering system and ran over to the radio. I just replaced it with a Ritchie