Making a Smaller Passive Key Fob

[Ruiner46]

After some discussion at work, I don't think we can reduce the size of the PCB without designing a new one. The only possibility I see is chopping off the end of the board with the battery and relocating the battery to be above the remainder of the board and connecting it with wires, but that doesn't buy us much and won't really reduce the thickness. If it wasn't for the antenna, we could cut out quite a bit.

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[Lost]

I thought the ignition portion of the tag was totally battery free (passive), like an RF id tag or anti theft tag?

Have you tried it with NO battery? Seems to me my ability to drive out of the woods should not be impeded by the energy state of a watch battery. EDIT< you can, but it has to be in the "secret spot", which I for got where it is at the moment. Cup holder maybe?

 

[Agent_S550]

I thought the ignition portion of the tag was totally battery free (passive), like an RF id tag or anti theft tag?

Have you tried it with NO battery? Seems to me my ability to drive out of the woods should not be impeded by the energy state of a watch battery. EDIT< you can, but it has to be in the "secret spot", which I for got where it is at the moment. Cup holder maybe?

Steering Column. There's a hidden pocket.

 

[HISSMAN]

Steering Column. There's a hidden pocket.

Wait.. wut?

 

[cbass]

Steering column or cup holder?

 

[Lost]

[ame]

 

[chrisgonzales]

Steering column or cup holder?

It's in the cup holder, pull the rubber bottom. You actually use it to program an additional remote.

 

[Agent_S550]

Yea.. I totally derped. I can't remember what model it is but there are cars that have a pocket in the column for the same purpose.

 

[chrisgonzales]

lil update, Have a working prototype held together with some painters tape. Now I need to design a smoother appearance and way of clamping together, something like the existing remote. I also used one of the existing contacts from the previous remote aswell tried using paper clips but got so complicated so used what was in the remote. Everything reverisble mind you no modifcation needed to the board. So you can reassemble the old remote if need be.

Went from about 20mm to about 9mm. Could be slightly thinner but need stronger material. Gonna try to clean up the edge so it tapers and doesn't feel as large.

here are some pics

IMG_20160831_211851 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

IMG_20160831_211745 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

IMG_20160831_212222 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

IMG_20160831_212129 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

IMG_20160831_211925 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

IMG_20160831_211859 by chris gonzales, on Flickr

 

[Freedom]

Nice work

 

[Agent_S550]

If you could shape it like a small surfboard that would be perfect. I'd be a happy man. I'd probably buy a third fob just to make one of these and use it as my ninja key.

 

[fionic]

Are you sure you even need the battery? Isn't the intelligent access unpowered?

 

[JakePSD]

Are you sure you even need the battery? Isn't the intelligent access unpowered?

After spending the last 10 minutes cussing and removing skin from my finger tips, I finally got the remote apart. Holding just the PCB board in my hand, I tried unlocking and locking the door with the touch points on the handle. No dice. :(

 

[fionic]

After spending the last 10 minutes cussing and removing skin from my finger tips, I finally got the remote apart. Holding just the PCB board in my hand, I tried unlocking and locking the door with the touch points on the handle. No dice. :(

interesting.

 

[JakePSD]

Although, I am about half lit at the moment, so I could have done something wrong. I like to drink after work sometimes, don't judge me. :lol:

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