1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Altoids box for fob?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Metalman, Jun 23, 2016.

  1. Metalman

    Metalman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    107
    17
    0
    Location:
    Summer, KY; Winter FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I prefer leaving the electronic fob in the Prius when parked in the garage. I put it in an Altoids box with the cover closed and found that the vehicle doesn't sense the fob when I press the start button. Will leaving the fob in the Altoids box with the lid closed prevent the fob and vehicle from communicating and not allow the battery in the fob or vehicle to drain?
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    My understanding is the fob gives out a constant signal regardless. It's how the vehicle "senses" when you approach. It's why you don't have to press anything on the fob. So I would think that base signal would be transmitting whether in a altoids tin or not.

    FYI, I tried the "Altoids Tin" and it didn't work for me. The vehicle still unlocked. Others claim it works, but it didn't work for me. Maybe the vehicle wouldn't of started, but it definitely would unlock.
     
  3. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    1,711
    654
    0
    Location:
    Nashua, NH
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    You can turn off the SKS so as not to drain the vehicle battery; but the fob will still be active. There's a switch for the SKS under the dash below the steering column where it enters the dash.
     
  4. Eastside

    Eastside Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    129
    82
    0
    Location:
    NorthVirginia
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Keeping the fob in a tin box will drain the fob battery.

    Consider taking the battery out of the fob and keeping the fob and battery somewhere safe in the car.

    Also, turn off SKS, as noted above, for reducing the drain on the 12volt battery.
     
  5. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    The Altoids's box it is NOT a Faraday cage, nor it will suppress RF transmit ions to a respective receiver.
    It has been proven that it doesn't work as populus claimed.
     
    The Electric Me likes this.
  6. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2016
    391
    415
    0
    Location:
    Israel
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There is no SKS switch under the dash for the Gen 3
     
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,919
    3,142
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    How about an Altoids tin lined with several layers of aluminum foil? :whistle:;)

    Maybe?
     
  8. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    628
    552
    0
    Location:
    Ma, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Three
    In my gen 3, I stored my 2'nd fob in the car wrapped in foil for a few weeks. The car could not sense it. Of course the fob would still try to transmit, but it would if I left in the house as well.
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,557
    10,324
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Because the cover does not have an electrical seal to the case (all the way around, not just at the hinge points), this is not reliable. Test results are likely to be highly variable.
    On my 2012, the SKS can be turned off from a MFD screen menu, and I recently used it for a six week absence. I don't recall any similar function on my 2010 II.
     
  10. Metalman

    Metalman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    107
    17
    0
    Location:
    Summer, KY; Winter FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the quick responses. Since the fob is always attempting to communicate with the vehicle, I will fabricate a metal container that will effectively shield the RF from the fob and leave the container and the fob in the vehicle.

    The vehicle is not used for six months every year. I leave the 12-volt battery on a battery maintainer, and have never noticed a reduction in the drive battery state-of-charge over that time. In six years I've never had a starting or operating issue.
     
  11. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,608
    3,788
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Our Outback has a nifty feature of a second button on the rear liftgate that acts as a PIN entry so anyone who knows the PIN can open without a FOB. I hide the FOB in the spare tire well in an altoids box and several layers of foil and yes that is enough to block its signal. Works great as a "Plan B" backup for long term parking at the airport in case we lose the other FOB during our travels.
     
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,557
    10,324
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It would be easier to just remove the fob battery when putting the car into hibernation.

    Are you familiar with RF shielding? The container should have a conductive seal all the way around the opening to insure electrical contact between lid and body. There are many varieties of seals to do this -- conductive fingers to be compressed, elastomeric ropes of either conductive material or with woven wire covers, etc.
     
  13. Metalman

    Metalman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2010
    107
    17
    0
    Location:
    Summer, KY; Winter FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My concern is not when storing the vehicle over long periods of time, it's for daily use. I don't like leaving a vehicle parked in the garage without keys (fob) so I can be started quickly in case of fire.

    I could fabricate a conductive gasket from a piece of copper if my container needs additional shielding. Thanks for the info.