FOB battery low

[Rhino]

On the way to lunch yesterday, my C14 was in a tizzy because the battery in my FOB was low. So while at the mall, I went to a watch kiosk to see if they had a 2025. They did and tested my battery but said it was at 100%. I put the new battery in anyway and of course the "PANIC, ALL IS LOST" screen went away. Bad tester? Or is the difference in voltage between a new battery and one that Kawasaki considers low so little that the tester wasn't accurate enough? In hind sight I wish I had kept the old battery and tested it myself once I got home.

[BackInTheSaddle]

Batteries are cheap, be happy you have the piece of mind with a new one in the fob.  Whenever I buy batteries I get a two pack and keep the second one on board in the cubby for an emergency, or to help a COG friend in need.

[maxtog]

Not all battery testers are all that great or reliable.  Temperature can affect the voltage and capacity.  Batteries can also show a surface charge that looks to be OK, until any load is placed on it.... of course, that is not really a factor with the FOB battery, since there is very little load and it is continuous.  Finally, any amount of corrosion (even microscopic/invisible) on the battery or contacts can create resistance that would lower the voltage and trigger the warning.

I wouldn't worry about it.  If the battery is around 2 years old, consider your battery life "typical" and move on

[B.D.F.]

Those 'battery testers' only check the resting voltage. The fob actually tests the battery when it is under load, and loaded voltage is always lower than resting voltage. So I would not say it was  a bad tester but it is an invalid test.

A lot of LCD devices, calculators are a great example, will power up OK (not full contrast on the screen but absolutely readable) but then the screen goes blank when you try to use them- this is the battery voltage dropping below the low threshold as the load is applied.

Not really a problem though 'cause 1) you will NOT get any warning if the fob batteries really do go 'dead' and you use the fob in RFID mode and 2) 2025 batteries are available all over the place and 3) they have an excellent shelf life so carrying a spare on the bike is really easy. If you are getting the low fob battery warning, you can always stop it by removing the battery from the fob and then just using it in RFID mode until you can pick up another battery, and you will not see that warning in the meantime.

It is a funny world but if the fob battery is good, there is no message. When the fob battery starts to get low but still absolutely works, you get that warning screen. If the battery fails completely (or is removed), there is no warning.... again. 

Brian

On the way to lunch yesterday, my C14 was in a tizzy because the battery in my FOB was low. So while at the mall, I went to a watch kiosk to see if they had a 2025. They did and tested my battery but said it was at 100%. I put the new battery in anyway and of course the "PANIC, ALL IS LOST" screen went away. Bad tester? Or is the difference in voltage between a new battery and one that Kawasaki considers low so little that the tester wasn't accurate enough? In hind sight I wish I had kept the old battery and tested it myself once I got home.

[jwh20]

Why would you be in a panic over this?  You realize, I hope, that there is a completely independent and non-battery powered mechanism in your FOB to start the bike, right?  It's called the "Key Immobilizer" system and it will work even if the FOB battery is 100% dead.

If you don't know how to use it, please refer to your owners manual and familiarize yourself with it.  Not only does a dead battery affect the KiPass system but in some locations electrical noise and interference will also affect it.  So it's good to know how to use it if needed.

[Ron Dawg]

I bought my leftover 2014 in Oct of 2015 and in January of 2016, the fob battery warning popped up. I replaced the battery immediately and it was gone. I guess that battery was at least 2-4 years old.

[just gone]

Why would you be in a panic over this?

I doubt he was, I do believe he was referring to the LCD screen being in panic mode, not himself.

[Rhino]

Why would you be in a panic over this?  You realize, I hope, that there is a completely independent and non-battery powered mechanism in your FOB to start the bike, right?  It's called the "Key Immobilizer" system and it will work even if the FOB battery is 100% dead.

If you don't know how to use it, please refer to your owners manual and familiarize yourself with it.  Not only does a dead battery affect the KiPass system but in some locations electrical noise and interference will also affect it.  So it's good to know how to use it if needed.

Like Marty said, I was being sarcastic about stupid Kawasaki taking over and flashing the entire screen for dumb stuff like this. I do think it is dangerous because I have caught myself reaching through the bars, looking at the screen trying to turn the stupid thing off instead of watching the road. I fixed the 2 worst offenders, low fuel warning by buying Brian's excellent device and TPMS low battery by moving to Texas where it seldom gets cold enough to trigger it.

[MAN OF BLUES]

I bought my leftover 2014 in Oct of 2015 and in January of 2016, the fob battery warning popped up. I replaced the battery immediately and it was gone. I guess that battery was at least 2-4 years old.

likely the dealer had placed the fob in the glovebox, or on the bike somewhere.. and it was constantly sending sensor signals.

as for removing the batt, and starting the bike in passive mode, its cool, but keep in mind if you drop, loose, or misplace it during this period, before you buy a new battery... you won't get the fob missing warning...

[just gone]

likely the dealer had placed the fob in the glovebox, or on the bike somewhere.. and it was constantly sending sensor signals.

I don't think that is a valid cause. I'm pretty sure that the sending only occurs when polled by the bike. Said polling only occurring when it's running or when the stove knob is pressed. If I'm wrong about this I'd like to hear about it.

...as for removing the batt, and starting the bike in passive mode, its cool, but keep in mind if you drop, loose, or misplace it during this period, before you buy a new battery... you won't get the fob missing warning...

That is a good point.

[B.D.F.]

That is correct- the fob only responds to.... er, polling (Easy Boys!) by the KiPass unit (Boys!) on the bike itself, which in turn is only powered- up for 5 seconds at a time and only when the key is pressed (when the bike is not running). Leaving the fob near the bike does not accelerate the drain on the fob battery at all.

Brian

I don't think that is a valid cause. I'm pretty sure that the sending only occurs when polled by the bike. Said polling only occurring when it's running or when the stove knob is pressed. If I'm wrong about this I'd like to hear about it.
 That is a good point.

[jimmymac]

Can I get my 5 minutes back? I think not...

[just gone]

Can I get my 5 minutes back? I think not...

 
May I suggest Hooked on phonics?
It will not give you any time back, but it might save you a couple-three minutes next time.

Joking and friendly stick poking aside....and since we seem to be wasting time in this thread, I think I'll change the subject.

jimmy' I think (from your signature line) that you may have the most rare of any C14 model and be in possession of the rarest factory part made for the C14 (at least in USA models, as I have no idea what goes on overseas), that is the '10 non-ABS front brake hose (specifically 43095-0501) which appears on no other model or year. Just thought I'd mention that in the interest of wasting everybody's time.  I could be wrong as well, in which case we might get a couple more pages out of this time waster, as I know somebody will let me know about it.  Which is fine by me.  ..clock is ticking...

[jimmymac]

 
May I suggest Hooked on phonics?
It will not give you any time back, but it might save you a couple-three minutes next time.

Joking and friendly stick poking aside....and since we seem to be wasting time in this thread, I think I'll change the subject.

jimmy' I think (from your signature line) that you may have the most rare of any C14 model and be in possession of the rarest factory part made for the C14 (at least in USA models, as I have no idea what goes on overseas), that is the '10 non-ABS front brake hose (specifically 43095-0501) which appears on no other model or year. Just thought I'd mention that in the interest of wasting everybody's time.  I could be wrong as well, in which case we might get a couple more pages out of this time waster, as I know somebody will let me know about it.  Which is fine by me.  ..clock is ticking...

Good stuff, FM!
It seems rare, doesn't it. I haven't seen another one...
They'll probably ban it from the road for not having ABS and TC soon enough.

[clogan]

likely the dealer had placed the fob in the glovebox, or on the bike somewhere.. and it was constantly sending sensor signals. Snip...

I keep my fob in the glove box...been there for three years...never had a problem, never had a dead fob battery, never lost my fob.