Finally got some feedback from Ritche. My Helmsman was older than their 2001
models, so it used oderless mineral spirits. The terms are confusing, as some
local
stores sell it as paint thinner. The differences are in the amount of refinement
of the
chemical, ordinary paint thinner being the least refined. Although I purchased
oderless paint thinner, the Sunnyside company tech told me it was 100% mineral
spirits, because it was the oderless variety, which requires a high amount of
refinement.
Bottom line, be careful what kind of mineral spirits or paint thinner you use.
Oderless
types appear to be the safest. After 2001, Ritche went over to a
new product, which is basically mineral spirits with certain additives to make the
compass rose respond better, etc. You can mix the oderless mineral spirits with
their
newer fluid which sells for $9.95 a pint at West. A quart of the Sunnyside
oderless paint thinner cost me about six bucks at my local hardware store. The
main
trick is to get the fluid real cold (put it in your freezer for a few hours) and
inject that
into the filler hole. As the fluid warms up, it expands and forces any remaining
air
bubbles out. My compass repair worked out fine.

Sherwin D.

sherwindu wrote:

Can I replace some lost fluid in my Ritche Helmsman Compass myself? I stupidly
opened up the wrong screws and let some leak out.

Sherwin D.