Top Gun Compass
 

The compass on my boat has gone bad, (04) and I would like to put something else in it's place. Has anyone ever taken there's out and replaced with something other than a compass, if so, what and pics would be nice. Not a real need for a compass with GPS. Thanks in advance

I've seen some where it is removed & a plate is machined to fit over the hole with the Cigarette script or logo on the plate. That is what I'd try to do if I removed mine.

Compass is an easy fix .. Most of them the diaphragm goes bad
Parts can be bought locally and refill it with mineral spirits

My gps is not dash mounted. I was going to cut the hump out and get ,ew dash plate and flush mount my gps there. My compass is non functional, plus have another at nav station.

i make these caps to update the dash. Eliminates compass and allows a better layout. Cut off the compass riser, remove the factory aluminum panels and it screws right on over the existing dash. :cool:

You want to use Mineral oil not spirits

Mark

Not sure what aluminum panels you are talking about, and looks as if you did glass work to make it look finished. That looks a whole lot better though, very nice.

Bear in mind that in Canada the rules require that boats over a certain length require a compass , you may want to check your state or federal regulations to be sure you are legal without a compass . GPS only work if you have power .
Just a thought .
RG.

I have an electronic compass in mine. Looks and works really good. use it al the time

the gauge panels, there should be two screw in panels that hold all the gauges. This cap covers all of that with no glasswork but you do need to do some wiring and stuff. Heres the raw panel

my dash now
 

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I have a few more gauges than most LOL

Did you make your bracket for the windshield and the plexi? , or did you buy the bracket from Cig ?

if you are referring to the one in my pic i make both the plexi (acrylic actually) and the brackets. I've got like six of the of the "plexis" laying around brand new un drilled, last time i got my pattern out i knocked off a whole sheet lol. The brackets werent to bad i made them out of stainless plate and break them to the angle needed then drill and tap. They are plenty rigid, thinking about listing the blanks in the swap to get rid of a few of them. Man i tell ya what ya move your shop and ya realize how much stuff ya have lol

Nope sorry they sent me a new diaphragm and a can of
Odor less mineral spirits of witch they told me to put in fridge
To get cold so I would have no bubbles. When I filled it
Maybe they don't know what there doing ??
Either way it's been like that over a year and works fine

I guess you can put in the brake but, then its a slight radius for the deck correct? So a compound bend so to speak

actually I did seven small one and a half inch wide stainless brackets. Truth be told I got a whole kit from Cig a few years ago and making these brackets was easier then wrestling with the welded one I got it the kit. Because of the compound angle of the deck the individual ones I made became pretty rigid when installed, every bit as much as the factory one.

I was thinking about even making a mold for composite bracket. you'd be surprised how strong an epoxy/s-glass bracket would be :cool:

That looks awesome Dave very nice upgrade.

I was thinking the same thing Dave, multiple brakets. BTW the acrylic/plexi is rough cut? or is it sanded and ready to go? Im in if its ready to rock.

Quick easy replacement and update:

https://www.donzidirect.com/clearanc...hite-1000.html

BTW, those panels you made Dave are an awesome upgrade!

This is what i have and it is awesome. Much quicker and easier.

the edge is finished all the way around but the bottom may require a bit of fitting to your boat, just depends how snug ya want it. I put a general bevel on the bottom edge but all the ones i have done needed to be fit per boat and per brackets, same with the holes. Its somewhat "advanced do-it-yourselfer" but thats what most boat owners are here anyways :D :cool:

I heard it should be shimmed so it doesnt squeak do you put a small amount of silicone on the bottom ? I guess the rain would sit in there if you did so maybe every couple inches?

I put in a cup holder

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Before

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After

Nice job, did you buy or make the gps bezel

Very nice

During the restoration of Lock & Load we moved the compass to the port side dash and fabricated the GPS as a built in part of the new helm. [ATTACH=CONFIG]529514[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]529515[/ATTACH] Zero Patience built the bracket in aluminum using cardboard mock up made to get the angle right.

My compass doesn't work and is dash mounted, I checked with Richie and it's obsolete with no replacement available...any ideas

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Thank to Dave....
BTW I love this compass it works great!!!