Fob Battery life?

[mneblett]

Some airheads came with Varta batteries; dunno if they had any particular "reputation".

Vartas were always good batteries for me. It wasn't until the mothership switched suppliers that I experienced my first new battery with a premature cell failure after only a couple months.

While that was more than two decades ago, in the absence of a flood of more recent Varta complaints I would not worry about giving Varta coin cells a try.

 

[lee]

I carried a spare (Duracell still in the package) in my tank bag for more than a year. When my bike was telling me that the present battery was getting weak I installed that spare and it was dead.

Some people have had problems with the 2032 Duracell. The bitter coating may not let the battery make a good connection with the fob.

 

[mneblett]

Some people have had problems with the 2032 Duracell. The bitter coating may not let the battery make a good connection with the fob.

+1. I generally prefer Duracells, but no longer in 2032 size after an Apple air tag and something else (can't remember what) wouldn't power up with the anti-swallow coating present.

 

[omega man]

Some people have had problems with the 2032 Duracell. The bitter coating may not let the battery make a good connection with the fob.
View attachment 98693

This has some information-

Duracell child-proof batteries and a odd problem

Well, the 20 year old remote for my pickup truck has been not acting as it should. First guess, based on experience, is that the "coin" batteries- 2 2016 size were getting weak. Off to the hardware store for some fresh ones and they had Duracell so that is what I bought. This remote has 2...

forums.bmwmoa.org

OM

 

[pauls1150]

You're not supposed to lick it clean! Use alcohol or acetone.

 

[CaptCF]

You're not supposed to lick it clean! Use alcohol or acetone.

Plus you might accidentally swallow the battery while licking off the coating.

 

[pauls1150]

Hey, I might get a charge out of that!

When I was little, I once swallowed a glass marble that I was intending to spit out at my BIG brother.
Only took a day to, ummm, "expel" it...

 

[jono]

This is off topic but I won't buy Duracell. Most of the time they have leaked. This is the AA and AAA, not the button batteries. As for house brand I've had great luck and pricing with Kirkland batteries from Costco. I've been using Panasonic in the fob.

I've had the same experience with Duracells. Something has gone off the rails with them. I use Eveready for pretty much everything now including. my fob.

 

[omega man]

This is off topic but I won't buy Duracell. Most of the time they have leaked. This is the AA and AAA, not the button batteries. As for house brand I've had great luck and pricing with Kirkland batteries from Costco. I've been using Panasonic in the fob.

If I have a choice on battery brand, it’s always Panasonic.

I've had the same experience with Duracells. Something has gone off the rails with them. I use Eveready for pretty much everything now including. my fob.

For some reason, I have found battery quality to be good and bad on a somewhat rotational basis.
I always date a battery with either a Sharpie, paint pen or even a slip of paper.
As an aside, relating to battery (consumer size) quality and longevity, when it seems like it’s time to replace the battery (batteries)- I test them. In a multi-battery device, I will frequently find one dead as a with the other 2 or 3 still being quiet usable.
OM

 

[pauls1150]

Don't get too biased: I've had Evereadys and "store branded" leak too (never tried Kirkland).
For recording the installation date, on or near the battery (if I can't write directly on it), I use the sticky part of a Post-It note, cut down to fit.

 

[brownie0486]

I had 2032's that didn't last 6 months and others that have lasted for a few years in various equipment. Duracell is my go to usually. All from the same 6 battery blister pack.

I don't worry about battery life all that much, it's the luck of the draw. Hence keeping a few spares on hand for each piece of equipment that takes them. If one fails on the road in the fob, it's 2 minutes to retrieve another and back in business. Don't sweat the small stuff, life too short to worry about battery longevity.

I did have one duracell running an RMD electronic sight that leaked but I'd kept the battery in the device for about 5 years [ doesn't get used much ]. Now I just remove the batts on that device when it's not going to be used in the near future.

 

[ackme]

Does the motorcycle not warm of low FOB battery? IMHO fob battery life is not definitive. High ambient temperature shortens battery life, cold temperature weakens the voltage. Number of rides affect battery life. Some may get 24 months others may get 12 months

I've gotten a low battery warning in the past. So it is a thing but not sure it works every time. I also agree regarding the effect of cold on the battery. I keep my fob inside the house during the colder months. This results in the occasional trek back into the house fully geared up which apparently never stops being funny.

 

[r0ckrat]

I store new, unused batteries in the fridge to make them last longer until I am going on a trip. For day rides I don't worry about having a spare battery (I know where the sensor is) and will change the battery when I get home. But I've only had to change the fob battery once in over 4 years and 24k miles of ownership, so not too worried about it. Fob lives in the house, and is one of the "keys" I grab when leaving the house if taking the bike.

 

[globalrider]

How long do fob batteries last?

My fob (BMW key) has a battery? If so, it is still original from 2016.

 

[r0ckrat]

My fob (BMW key) has a battery? If so, it is still original from 2016.

Do you have "Keyless Ride"?

 

[lee]

My fob (BMW key) has a battery? If so, it is still original from 2016.

This is a fob.

 

[k100fran]

Just a brief rant on keyless ride on a GS. My 2014 RT didn't have keyless ride but it came with two fobs. These were great as they locked and unlocked both side cases and the two glove compartments (central locking) and would activate/deactivate the alarm. I had that bike for 3 years and never replaced a fob battery. I now have a 22 GS with keyless ride so I have the new fob. All it does is let me start the motorcycle and open the gas filler cap. No alarm, no central locking, it seems kind of a waste to me, would be less hassle to just have a key. Then I wouldn't need the plastic emergency key. Not much difference between pushing a button and turning a key. Love the motorcycle, I'm just a bit indifferent about the usefulness of keyless ride on it, now on the RT, that is a different story.