Smart Keys!

[MrGrumpy]

I wonder if you are barking up the wrong tree with battery concerns. Its should be easy to check batteries with an ordinary multi-meter. Even a cheap meter would give you a basis for comparison despite not being absolutely accurate. When fitting a new battery its a good idea to polish both sides with a clean sheet of paper and if you have any doubts about the housing apply a touch of di-electric grease or vaseline to the contacts. On my meter a brand new 2032 battery reads 3.29 volts and ones which I have changed as a precaution read 3.0 . I also notice that Duracell batteries have a warning sticker which must be removed so its extra important to polish that surface.

Just to be clear, use vaselene! Dialectric grease is NON CONDUCTIVE. It'll bugger the connection.

I have Vaseline, but Dialectric Grease sounds far too complex for me!

[roadster]

I wonder if you are barking up the wrong tree with battery concerns. Its should be easy to check batteries with an ordinary multi-meter. Even a cheap meter would give you a basis for comparison despite not being absolutely accurate. When fitting a new battery its a good idea to polish both sides with a clean sheet of paper and if you have any doubts about the housing apply a touch of di-electric grease or vaseline to the contacts. On my meter a brand new 2032 battery reads 3.29 volts and ones which I have changed as a precaution read 3.0 . I also notice that Duracell batteries have a warning sticker which must be removed so its extra important to polish that surface.

Just to be clear, use vaselene! Dialectric grease is NON CONDUCTIVE. It'll bugger the connection.

Not exactly clear. Vaseline ( petroleum jelly ) is also non-conductive. The property which makes either useful is that they form a film over contacts which is long lasting and prevents oxidation of the surfaces, and in the case of high voltage or high current contacts will supress arcing. If a conductive grease such as one containing graphite were used there would be a danger of accidentally creating a path, or at least an electrochemical reaction, between positive and negative. In a situation where vibration is present grease probably limits bouncing of spring contacts through surface tension but it doesn't stop metal to metal contact at the point of contact.

[Data]

The point being that Vaseline is the better one to use where there in no real heat. An easy to penetrate very thin smear will not interfere with conducting the current & resistance is usually not an issue. Try it, you'll see. I qualified as an auto electrician as part of my 3 trade master tech many years ago when Vaseline was widely used. Although today it is not. There are better things now that do not dry out. But dialectric grease was never allowed to be used directly on contact to contact. Maybe it's different in other trades where voltages are higher but I cannot imagine it is.

[MrGrumpy]

Well, my smart key is STILL messing around, with the scoot saying the batteries flat again. Gave the battery and contacts a quick rub, and put a little smear of vaseline on the contacts, and its happy again. We shall see - so far it seems to last a week before it complains again.

[Andym]

When you say "complains" do you mean the yellow light on the dash is on?

This light only means contact has been lost. Mine does it all the time when my fob and it's security pouch sit in my pocket in the wrong order. The SuperCub ring piece antenna is under the seat, so no direct path for radio signals from a seated rider. Narrow the path from pocket to whatever reflects it back and you can lose the signal.

Annoying because it is eating battery talking to nothing and riding with light on sets off the voices in your head , but not really a problem. Stand alongside instead of sitting and it sorts itself out.

Andy

[Data]

Andy, you have voices in your head??

[Bellman]

I've always used the same Smart Key when riding my Forza 300 since I bought it just over six years ago and have changed the battery once.

The spare Smart Key which I keep in the inside pocket of whatever riding jacket I'm wearing is still on its original battery..

After reading the comments on here about Smart Keys and battery life, I've just been out the the Forza with that spare Smart Key, switched in on and it operates as normal. Switched it off and it's back inside my jacket pocket again.

[MrGrumpy]

When you say "complains" do you mean the yellow light on the dash is on?

This light only means contact has been lost. Mine does it all the time when my fob and it's security pouch sit in my pocket in the wrong order. The SuperCub ring piece antenna is under the seat, so no direct path for radio signals from a seated rider. Narrow the path from pocket to whatever reflects it back and you can lose the signal.

Annoying because it is eating battery talking to nothing and riding with light on sets off the voices in your head , but not really a problem. Stand alongside instead of sitting and it sorts itself out.

Andy

On the Tmax, there is a smart key system warning light that flashes - it always flashes once when you switch the scoot on, but its been giving 20 flashes, which indicates various things such as a low key battery. I have the key on a lanyard round my neck, and I never had any problems with it being too far away before in 6 years. Its still giving issues. If I take the battery out and clean it and the contacts, then its entirely happy again - for a while. Then it says the battery is flat again. Of course since I now have no Yamaha dealer within 60 miles, taking it to one of them is difficult!

[knight2]

Is all the modern tech worth it?. From what I read on here and what I'm told from friends and family it never works properly. What's the piont of keyless ignition when it can make the vehicle easier to steal and seems to serve no practical purpose. My son bought a brand new Jeep ealier this year, some of the techy stuff doesn't work properly he's taken it back a couple of times but they can't fix it !. My sister in law bought a new Ford about four years ago again the same problems with the screen on the dash not working properly took it back same story sorry we can't fix it. If they can't fix it they shouldn't sell it. The thing that strikes me as strange is they seem to accept it, they are keeping the cars!. I would want my money back plus compensation for all the hassle and for being lied to, I know the truth can be a bit thin on the ground when buying a new vehicle.
I think I'll make my next bike a "Ural"

[Waldorf]

During Covid, I bought a Smart Phone in order to have the reader things in it; I was happy with my Doro basic phone but have now got used to the Samsung.
It's the same with the smart key on my Forza. Now I know the opperating system, I'm content to use it and so far, so good.
MY NIU electric scooter has a key but is connected to a satelite for the immobilizer and speedo. All works well except for when I park it tucked away at church. It sometmes iloses the signal so I have to sit on it and coast down the hill until it picks up the signal again.