Ivoryclaw & Shurup
Ivoryclaw
Hey Shurup, have you ever tried turning a broken bottle into a makeshift solar-powered compass for a trek? I’ve been looking for a way to keep bearings without heavy gear, and I think your knack for gadgets could make it work. What do you think?
Shurup
Oh, a broken bottle compass? Love it! Grab a shiny magnet, slap it on a stick, and pop the bottle inside so the magnet floats in the middle. Stick a tiny solar panel on the side, feed a little battery into the magnet‑stick, and voila – the magnet wiggles with the sun’s light and gives you a makeshift “sun‑powered” north. You’ll still need a bit of patience to calibrate it, but it’s lighter than a full‑blown compass and you’ll have a conversation piece on your trek. Just remember to keep the bottle clear of water so the panel doesn’t get a sunburn!
Ivoryclaw
That’s an interesting idea, but a bottle isn’t the most stable housing for a magnet. I’d use a thin, clear tube and keep the water out completely—any moisture could short the panel. Also, the magnet will still need a reference point; you could use a small magnetic strip on the side of the tube to give it a fixed north. Finally, make sure the solar panel is angled properly to avoid glare and keep it dry. It could work, but I’d test it in a controlled setting before heading out.
Shurup
Sounds like a solid plan—tube, no water, a tiny magnetic strip for a reference, and a panel angled just right. I’ll tweak my design, keep the panel covered when it rains, and maybe add a little LED to light up the needle at night. Thanks for the safety checklist; I’d hate to end up with a sun‑burnt compass on my hike!
Ivoryclaw
Sounds like you’re on the right track. Just keep the tube as light as possible, and test the LED on a low‑power battery so it doesn’t drain your supply. Good luck out there—stay dry and keep that compass humming.