Realigning a compass

[MudBug]

We have a box that several compasses were stored together in. Either they messed with each other or the box was placed near a strong electromagnetic source, but none of these compasses have any idea which way north is.

I have watched a video where a simple box compass, common among Boy Scouts, was corrected of this problem by sweeping a strong magnet along the length of the compass needle.

However this doesn't seem to be working for me.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to get these compasses back into proper operation?

 

[rfwoodvt]

Unfortunately I too havent found a way to correct a compass, only an accidental way to reverse one.

Still not sure how I meesed it up but surely north is south and south us north.

My boy seems to think it was a radio speaker in my truck.

Perhaps your method just requires a stronger magnet?

 

[tbone1004]

a STRONG magnet and a lot of patience since you have to stroke the needle a few dozen times. It's not perfect and will never work as well as it did from the factory, especially in these since you can't touch the needle directly, but it will work. You do need to make sure you pin the needle so it doesn't free float though