Shoal Waters was fitted with a ‘ fine brass binnacle compass’ (Sailing Just for Fun p113) and whilst it originally had a detachable domed top, complete with viewing window and side illumination, this has gone missing somewhere back in the mists of time. Still the compass survives but needs a little work.
Here is the compass disassembled. Originally, before being installed in Shoal Waters the compass gimballed in all axes, but Charles removed the fore and aft gimbal so that it just gimbals side to side.
I drilled out the 1/4″ holes in which the lugs of the compass inner housing located and press for four roller bearings, two in each side.
The lugs are quite sturdy and fit securely into the bearings.
The Bakelite bearing supports rest on two flat Bakelite pieces screwed to the outer housing and held in place by screws from the outside. These, being brass, had started to soften so I’ve ordered some more, but M5 bolts this time.
The holes in the Bakelite bearing supports were drilled out to 4.2mm and them tapped with a 5mm tap.
The bolts secure the supports inside the outer housing.
I used the M5 stainless bolts that I had available but these will be replaced with brass once they arrive.
The next task is to mount the red LED inside the housing which is not as easy as it sounds since the LED must not be too high or it will foul the inner housing as it gimbals.
This is where the compass is mount in the cockpit and you can see the small hole for the LED as it was originally mounted in the bridge deck rather than in the compass. I aim to change that and just have the wires go through the hole, probably through some sort of grommet that will also serve to stop water from going down the hole.
So. it is time to put the thinking cap on and devise a way to mount the LED.
Time for a cup of tea.