Magnet strength for a cache; can it be too strong?

[+hall-explorers]

I have a magnetic type geocache that I'm planning on placing soon. The magnet is much stronger than I realized it would be. In fact, it's so strong that it either has to be slid sideways to remove it, or pried off with a small screwdriver. It's not impossible to remove the container by just pulling with your fingers, but it is very, very difficult, and I think some people might not be able to pull it away from the metal it's attached to without sliding off the edge or prying it.

 

I haven't hid anything magnetic like this, and none of the magnetic caches I've found that were placed by others were nearly this strong.

 

Is this something that would bother most/some cachers, or would it be perfectly acceptable? Should I try to find a way to make the magnets a little less strong by putting something over them, or should it be perfectly fine the way it is?

[+cerberus1]

I used a very strong magnet attached to a matchstick holder and it turned out to be so tough to "break away" from the metal object it was attached to, it did.

Often.

Various super glues, epoxies, just kept breaking free from the container itself.

Smaller magnets did the trick, and now just normal "user error" maintenance.

- Something to consider.

[+NanCycle]

I have found several magnetic caches that I had to slide off in order to remove them; as long as they're placed where I can reach them, I'm okay with that.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Can you put the magnet INSIDE of the container?

 

It may cut some of the holding power down, but still hold the cache in place. It certainly would not "break away" from the cache.

[+niraD]

I've found magnetically attached caches with strong magnets, and I've owned a cache that was magnetically attached. There are a couple possible issues with magnets that are too strong. One is the risk of fingers getting pinched when finders remove/replace the cache. The other is that seekers may not realize that they've found the cache if they can't get it to move, which can make your cache much harder to find than you intended.

[+hall-explorers]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

As far as putting the magnets inside, it wouldn't be possible with this particular cache.

 

I think I've found a way to make it work without being too hard to remove. I found a metal surface near where I want to place it that is slightly curved. I think that will make it easier to get off because it will be easier for people to get their fingers around it, and that will probably help keep anyone from pinching their fingers when putting it back.

[+WarNinjas]

It wouldn't bother me at all.

[+terratin]

I found one cache with a warning that people with pacemakers should not attempt it. I read that a strength of 10 gauss can affect pace makers.

[+hall-explorers]

Well, the curved surface didn't work out. When I actually got to go back and take a look, it turns out that it looks metal but isn't, so no magnet based caches there.

 

Still, sounds like overall it shouldn't be a big deal. I may increase the difficulty a half star higher than I was originally going to rate it.

[7rxc]

Well, the curved surface didn't work out. When I actually got to go back and take a look, it turns out that it looks metal but isn't, so no magnet based caches there.

 

Still, sounds like overall it shouldn't be a big deal. I may increase the difficulty a half star higher than I was originally going to rate it.

 

I maintain one cache on a very large object... we had a problem of people removing the cache container and magnet but then hurriedly slapping it back in place without 'sticking' it... problem for me was that it either dropped off onto the ground or slid down... leaving no idea where it belonged.

 

My current solution was to put a large ring magnet at the desired location, the cache has NO magnet, but does have a steel washer firmly attached to it. It sort of centers itself on the ring magnet without too much help.

I adjusted the size of the washer to give a firm but not excessive resistance to moving, the magnet is large enough not to shift on it's own. This seems to keep it mostly in place or at least close by. The gropers still manage to drag it away from where it should be, but not anything like early on. You don't say how big your container is, but this might work for you with some thought... and it saves on finger bites as well since the magnet should stay in place... should that is... if some one moves it they are the bitees and probably deserve it for not reading the cache description and my occasional hints.

 

Doug 7rxc

[+hall-explorers]

Well, the curved surface didn't work out. When I actually got to go back and take a look, it turns out that it looks metal but isn't, so no magnet based caches there.

 

Still, sounds like overall it shouldn't be a big deal. I may increase the difficulty a half star higher than I was originally going to rate it.

 

I maintain one cache on a very large object... we had a problem of people removing the cache container and magnet but then hurriedly slapping it back in place without 'sticking' it... problem for me was that it either dropped off onto the ground or slid down... leaving no idea where it belonged.

 

My current solution was to put a large ring magnet at the desired location, the cache has NO magnet, but does have a steel washer firmly attached to it. It sort of centers itself on the ring magnet without too much help.

I adjusted the size of the washer to give a firm but not excessive resistance to moving, the magnet is large enough not to shift on it's own. This seems to keep it mostly in place or at least close by. The gropers still manage to drag it away from where it should be, but not anything like early on. You don't say how big your container is, but this might work for you with some thought... and it saves on finger bites as well since the magnet should stay in place... should that is... if some one moves it they are the bitees and probably deserve it for not reading the cache description and my occasional hints.

 

Doug 7rxc

 

Thanks for the tips.

[+J Grouchy]

Generally when I put magnets on the outside of the cache, I will then wrap the whole deal in camo or electrical tape. This has the double advantage of keeping the magnet attached the container (the glues usually fail) and decreasing the holding power of the stronger types of magnets. So yeah...a couple layers of duct or electrical tape will help, most likely.

[+hall-explorers]

I actually did go back and add some duct tape over the magnets, for both of the reasons you mentioned (reducing magnet strength and holding the magnets on better). I checked on it this morning and that seems to be working well.