Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Drugless on September 07, 2014, 02:19:12 PM

Title: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Drugless on September 07, 2014, 02:19:12 PM
O.k. so how many of us have put their key fob through the wash. Mine inadvertently went through on Saturday night. Stopped working, now it's good as gold again (nice and clean too!) ;D
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 07, 2014, 03:05:16 PM
Brian?

I did.  I took it apart.  Dried it out and replaced the battery.  Brian prefers to dunk his in wine.
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 07, 2014, 05:49:03 PM
You said we would never talk about that again Jim.....  >:(

It IS true though, I've been known to dip my fob in various liquids. It is mostly waterproof but not completely. The washer is tough too because not only does the fob get wet but the machine has an aggravitor in it that is tough on grime and fobs.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/FOBinSprite.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/FOBinSprite.jpg.html)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/FOBworkinginSprite.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/FOBworkinginSprite.jpg.html)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/FOBinwater.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/FOBinwater.jpg.html)

Brian

Brian?

I did.  I took it apart.  Dried it out and replaced the battery.  Brian prefers to dunk his in wine.
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Rhino on September 08, 2014, 11:00:49 AM

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/FOBworkinginSprite.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/FOBworkinginSprite.jpg.html)

Ok, I'm probably going to be sorry I asked, but did this experiment work?
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Rembrant on September 09, 2014, 05:34:25 PM
Ok, I'm probably going to be sorry I asked, but did this experiment work?

According to the picture, yes it did. :o
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 09, 2014, 05:44:00 PM
Mostly successful. It worked with water, soda (Sprite IIRC), beer and Chivas. It did not work with a reasonably good Riesling but that was probably because I left the fob soaking for far too long (2 hours or so). The fob recovered but the battery was dead; I am still using that fob today.

The interesting thing about the photo is that the fob actually worked WHILE in the soda- note the LCD showing the key icon.... the only fob I had with me was in the drink, as per the photo.

Brian

Ok, I'm probably going to be sorry I asked, but did this experiment work?
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Rembrant on September 09, 2014, 05:51:59 PM
You must have some pretty big ear canals eh Brian?

Those ear plugs laying on the tank look to be extra-large...lol.

I suppose this explains why you're such a good listener?...lol.

Rem :o
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 09, 2014, 06:34:08 PM
Actually, I have fairly narrow canals (Easy Boys!). Those ear plugs are hollow and shaped like a cone- the deeper you push them in (Boys!), the smaller they get. Best 'plugs I have ever found- they work great, do not require rolling or any manipulation before use either- just sort of jam them in there (Extra Easy on this one Boys and yes, there is a joke in there somewhere).

They are shaped in a spiral, have plastic stems that stick out for insertion and are called 'Skull Screws'. :-)  I have to cut the stems off the before use under a helmet though or they poke into the speakers.

Brian

You must have some pretty big ear canals eh Brian?

Those ear plugs laying on the tank look to be extra-large...lol.

I suppose this explains why you're such a good listener?...lol.

Rem :o
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: mikeeitup on September 09, 2014, 09:39:30 PM
I attached mine to an enormous orange carabiner to prevent myself from being stupid. Thank gos it's worked so far.
Mike
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Conrad on September 10, 2014, 07:32:08 AM
I attached mine to an enormous orange carabiner to prevent myself from being stupid. Thank gos it's worked so far.
Mike

I tried a carabiner, it didn't work for me...    ;)
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: OregonLAN on September 10, 2014, 08:30:17 AM
If you want to make it water resistant/proof, simply take apart the dongle, cover the battery terminals tabs with a bit of tape and use a generous amount of clear acrylic/lacquer to coat the entire PCB. Worse case, if it goes through the washing machines, you'll have to replace the battery. Also, there's a product at Home Depot that repels water that you could use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoKXTlqmUb8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoKXTlqmUb8)

Before Garmin started making GPS units for motorcycles, I coated the PCB of a vehicle GPS to make it water resistant. It worked well.
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Rhino on September 10, 2014, 09:51:15 AM
Mostly successful. It worked with water, soda (Sprite IIRC), beer and Chivas. It did not work with a reasonably good Riesling but that was probably because I left the fob soaking for far too long (2 hours or so). The fob recovered but the battery was dead; I am still using that fob today.

The interesting thing about the photo is that the fob actually worked WHILE in the soda- note the LCD showing the key icon.... the only fob I had with me was in the drink, as per the photo.

Brian

I guess soda is not a good RF shield.
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: mikeeitup on September 10, 2014, 08:01:15 PM
I tried a carabiner, it didn't work for me...    ;)

I'm not talking those dumb 150lb cheap carabiners that you buy from Home Depot. I'm talking 7kn climbing full sized carabiner that u can use as "brass knuckles". That would clang around in a washer lol
Mike
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Conrad on September 11, 2014, 07:04:57 AM
I guess soda pop is not a good RF shield.

FIFY
Title: Re: waterproof key fob?
Post by: Conrad on September 11, 2014, 07:06:33 AM
I attached mine to an enormous orange carabiner to prevent myself from being stupid. Thank gos it's worked so far.
Mike

I tried a carabiner, it didn't work for me...    ;)

I'm not talking those dumb 150lb cheap carabiners that you buy from Home Depot. I'm talking 7kn climbing full sized carabiner that u can use as "brass knuckles". That would clang around in a washer lol
Mike

Actually, that was a joke that didn't get any traction...