Balancing the compass card according to the Earth’s magnetic zone
Riviera compasses are built with an internal gimbal that allows the card to remain as horizontal as possible during navigation and when the vessel rolls or pitches due to waves or its sailing trim.
However, the Earth’s magnetic field varies depending on the geographic location and irreparably influences the horizontal inclination of the compass card.
The inclination will be different if you are in the middle of the South Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, or the Pacific.
In these cases, it is therefore essential to perform a specific balancing.
The customer can choose between three different balancing zones (Zone A, B, or C) using the official balancing map for RIVIERA compasses as a reference.
As a factory standard, all RIVIERA compasses are balanced for Zone A (essentially the entire Northern Hemisphere).
The compass balance zone must be specified when ordering, as this adjustment can only be made during the manufacturing process.
If you navigate in a zone other than that for which the compass was balanced, you will notice a significant tilt of the dial, which in some cases could affect its normal operation.
Compensation
Compensation is a function that allows you to slightly adjust the direction in which the instrument points to magnetic north.
The compass needle is naturally oriented toward magnetic north, but when installed on board, it can be subject to other magnetic or electromagnetic influences that cause it to deviate by up to 20 degrees. These influences can come from electronic or electrical devices or metal elements on board.
Therefore, if this variation is not compensated for, the course will be incorrect!
The built-in device, in most RIVIERA compasses, allows you to correct this type of deviation from magnetic north by turning the two dedicated screws (spaced 90 degrees apart at the bottom of the binnacle). Compensable compasses are equipped with two sets of screws to facilitate this operation in confined spaces.
Typically, this adjustment is performed by professional marine compensators, but an experienced sailor can attempt compass compensation with due care.
This device is not suitable for correcting or counteracting the effects of incorrect Zone balancing. As described above, the adjustment only changes the horizontal rotation of the card. For example, if the card’s lubber line is aligned at 300 degrees and the screws are slightly rotated, it can subsequently align to a different value of up to 20-30 degrees. The card will always remain horizontal.