Handbearing compass illumination

[RMHM]

The night time illumination on my trusty "Sowester" handbearing compass (light blue rubber triangular shape with a blue lanyard) no longer works. I think it is (or was) provided by a piece of tritium? (or similar) luminous material. There is a small white patch on the underside of the compass. Does anyone know whether/where this can be replaced? Thanks for any suggestions.............

Richard M

 

[VicS]

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It emits beta particles, hence the name beta light, and it has a half life of 12 years. So replacing it is not something even the most enthusiastic amateur can do. I had two "Mini" compasses done a few years ago but sadly I can now find no trace of the people who did them.

You will have to look out a Compass Repairer somewhere convenient for you or since the details of the people I used were published in PBO in respose to a reader's question so perhaps they can help again.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Other solutions

I faced this problem awhile ago, and found great difficulty getting a replacement hat did not cost an arm and a leg and alegiance to some instrument repairer that was making a killing at my expense. So I sought an alternate solution.

I found that if I made a suitable hole and shone a simple pen light torch into the space which the beta light occupied this did the trick, or even strategically locating myself above a cabin/cockpit light worked quite well. Later with the aid of a small low light output LED [red in colour] and a bit of carefull wiring made from soldered copper strips and using small button cells totalling about 3volts [so that I did not need to add a resistor] I made an internal light that would not effect my night vision. Just checked it. Still working well after three years with the same batteries. I should patent and market the system but probably would have to charge 50 pounds a time, so why bother. Use it for free from me, good luck.