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Where do you buy your replacement FOB batteries?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Freeze Time, Jan 5, 2021.

  1. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    I lost the batteries I bought in a move and was wondering where everyone here got the replacement batteries for the key fob. I remember I bought them in like a 6 pack last time but can't remember where. Should I just google for the best deal or do you already have a go to place for them?
     
  2. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    1. Try eBay: Panasonic CR1632 3V
    2. Also: avoid touching the surfaces of the battery with your fingers when installing; could shorten battery life.
     
  3. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    Have you found that certain brands last longer than others? For example, I might see a 6 pack for $2.99 of some off brand and then see a 2 pack of Duracell for $5.49.
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It is "penny wise and pound foolish" to buy a battery that is expected to last 2 years or more in service......in quantities larger than you need right NOW. The extras will be weak by the time you need them.

    I have had nothing but bad experiences buying batteries "online".
    WalMart hasn't been much better.
    I go to the local "battery shop" and buy them one at a time as needed.
     
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Those CR1632 coin batteries are sold at almost any grocery store, convenience store, hardware store, and alike. Yeah, you can buy cheap in bulk, but unless you are going to use all of them right away, it's better to pick a brand name battery in a single pack at a local store.
     
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  6. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If you buy them online, ask for the expiration date.
    I haven't had any problems with the batteries I've bought online. But it is a chance you take.
    It's not like it's a 30 minute job to change them. :) It will depend on WHEN you need them.
    If you need a battery today, but it today.
    If you know of anyone else who needs a battery let them know. Then the chance of
    wasting them is less.
     
  7. Ed Beaty

    Ed Beaty Active Member

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    On eBay: you don't need to get a bunch of them; just get two, with expiration date 2028 (2.49-2.99USD, free shipping), and you don't have to leave the house to search for who might have 'em....
     
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  8. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    Well this explains a lot. I didn't realize these batteries went bad. I had put one in a back up FOB and went to use it and it was also dead. I have AA batteries I haven't used in 10 years that still work. I will take the advice and just buy one or 2 as needed.
     
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    My 2010 happened to display the"key fob battery weak" message on the MID while I was doing errands somewhere in Charlottesville. So on my next stop I walked into a store and bought a CR1632 and put it in the fob. Wasn't a big deal.
     
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    As mentioned, they are common batteries available wherever you buy your other batteries. Our originals lasted about four years unless the original owners replaced them at two years. (We have two 2017's, so four fobs.)
     
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  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Sorry, totally different subject. but I just thought of this. Is it possible to program a fob to work on two different cars? Of course, a physical key will not work on two different cars, unless the same core is installed. But is the key fob always 1 to 1? Or is there something like a master keyfob? Wouldn't you wish you could operate both your PP and your DW's P by a single fob?
     
  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That would be cool, but I've never heard of anything that would do that. BTW, she has a bad habit of taking her fob for my car along when we ride together and then leaving it in a bag in the back and THEN dashing off into the store or whatever before I try to lock the car.
     
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    That would prevent the door to be locked unless you use the physical key. I have done something opposite of your case. I was dropping off my wife somewhere. My wife was carrying her set of fob in her purse. I thought I had mine with me, but I did not. Of course, while she was riding with me, there was no problem. The fob was in her purse in the front seat. After I dropped her off. I continued on. Yap, no key warning came up. I stopped and looked for a key but realized I did not have it on me. Luckily I did not turn off the car at that point. Have I done that, I would have been stranded.
     
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    But probably not for long.
    AND.....the quality of "flashlight batteries" seems to have gone WAY down lately.
    Notice that none of the major brands advertise "leakproof" anymore......because they are NOT.
    I've had several devices damaged by leaking goo lately.
     
  15. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    I have bought a few varieties of cr1632 off either Aliexpress or Ebay.
    1) Tianqiu (cheapest)
    2) Panasonic
    3) Sony

    I find that the Panasonic or Sony ones last a bit longer. I always get them in 5 packs. I don't mind replacing them often as it is so easy to replace. Even the cheapest Chinese brands seem to work.
     
  16. Deoc

    Deoc Member

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    I find them at the dollar store, some lamps include 2 of them for a dollar, they are not the best and dont last as long but they do work, if u want good quality long lasting get the duracell or other good brand, i found that the cheap dollar store ones are cheaper than brand name one if you compare on how long they last vs how much they cost.
     
  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Exactly. Which forces me to root through her cavernous bag and find her fob. Each time she does that, I come closer to not giving it back to her.
     
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  18. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    It's that time again for me. I read that CR 1632 batteries have a 10 year self life so it should be fine to buy like a 5 or 10 pack of them.
     
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  19. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    I buy mine from either ebay or aliexpress. Usually I buy the Sony or Panasonic brand CR1632. I got some from China and others shipped locally. I don't notice any difference.

    They last about 3-5 months each. I just replace them when I start getting low keyfob battery warnings.
     
  20. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    3 to 5 months? Wow! I've had my Prius 6 years now and have never changed the battery in my fob.