That’s right, with just a power-tool battery, a basic understanding of magnetic fields, and a little patience, you can bring your button compass back to life. Here’s how.
A button compass is one of those handy little tools you don’t think about until you need it. Whether it’s part of your outdoor gear or your emergency kit, it’s designed to do one thing- point north. Cheaply and effectively. But like any tool, it can lose its accuracy over time. If your compass has stopped pointing magnetic north or feels sluggish when you move it, don’t toss it just yet. There’s a simple fix, and it’s probably sitting right in your workshop: a rechargeable battery.
That’s right- the same batteries you use to power your drills, drivers, and other tools can recharge your button compass. No fancy equipment or complicated techniques needed. By placing your compass near the magnetic field created by the battery, you can realign the compass needle and bring it back to life.
Why batteries work. Rechargeable batteries produce strong magnetic fields due to the current flow inside them. When you bring your compass close to this magnetic field, the energy transfers to the compass needle, realigning its poles and restoring its ability to point north. It’s like giving your compass a magnetic tune-up. Simple, and effective.
Here’s all you need to get started:
A rechargeable battery from a power tool (like those for drills, drivers, or other cordless tools).
Your button compass.
How to Recharge Your Compass
1. Power Off the Battery. Start with the battery disconnected from the tool and powered off. This keeps things safe and ensures you’re only working with the magnetic field.
2. Bring the Compass Close
Hold the compass near the side of the battery where the magnetic field is strongest. You don’t need to touch the battery- just get the compass close enough for the field to reach it. I like to leave the compass near the battery for an hour or two, but overnight works even better if you’ve got the time.
3. Watch the Needle React
As the compass gets closer to the battery, you may notice the needle start to shift or snap into alignment. This is a good sign- it means the magnetic field is realigning the compass needle.
4. Test Your Compass
After leaving the compass near the battery for a while, pull it away and check how it performs. Does it point north more quickly and hold steady without much drifting? If so, your compass is ready to go. If it’s still sluggish, give it a bit more time near the battery.
Unlike other methods that involve swiping the compass needle with a magnet, using a rechargeable battery is contact-free. The battery’s magnetic field does all the work for you. It’s a no-fuss solution that’s effective and takes almost no effort. Just wanted to share a neat survival hack with yall.-jb
Cracking tip my man !
So glad to hear from you Jamie. Keep up the blog and posts, I miss the videos too!