Compass trouble

In article nrp writes:
Might it be possible to kludge a degausser? I'm looking for a
volunteer to try this scheme:

1) Get a 500 ft length of 4 conductor (3 conductor plus ground) # 14
AWG Romex still in the box coil.

2) Configure/connect the ends to make it a 2000' long single wire
bundle of about 400 turns.

3) There should then be enough resistance in the wire to plug it into
the 110 V 60 Hz line for short periods.


With a bit over 23 amps from the resistance (5.05 ohms), you will need to
hope the inductance will limit the current, or the breaker on any normal
120 volt AC source will trip pretty quickly.

A bit over 2700 watts will warm it up pretty quickly, too.


4) Remove the compass. With the power on, sweep the airplane
anywhere there is steel, and then step back several feet before
turning power off. Reinstall the compass.


You might want to remove the magneto as well. There are almost certainly
other magnetic parts in the instruments that you want out of there first --
no sense destroying the instruments in the panel. Any permanent magnet motors
will not appreciate it. In fact, anything with a coil to pick up energy from
that field could well be damaged. The alternator and connected parts may
not like this.


As with old shadow mask color TV degaussing, do it fairly slowly, and
step back fairly slowly. Turn the coil horizontal then turn it off.


No warranty. Don't wear any watches. Remove all credit cards etc
from your billfold..........

You should expect this to break something expensive.


Alan