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Waterproof keys?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rsgillmd, Aug 28, 2011.

  1. rsgillmd

    rsgillmd Junior Member

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    Last weekend I went scuba diving. After unloading my gear I forgot to put the keys back in my bag. I accidentally left them in the pocket of my swim shorts. That is where I found them when I went to change.

    My dive was to a max depth of 28 feet for 58 minutes, with most of it spent around 25 feet, because there was a thermocline at around 26-27 feet. The temperature above the thermocline was 81, and below the thermocline was 75. No wetsuit. It was fresh water.

    Luckily for me, not only did I not loose the keys, but the keys worked.

    While I would not recommend trying this again, it is reassuring that the case of the keys is pretty waterproof. While I was hitting myself for my stupid mistake, I also found it amusing and thought I would share my experience.
     
    #1 rsgillmd, Aug 28, 2011
  2. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    You may want to rinse the keyfob in clean water. Salt water in particular can cause damage, if not right away, then shortly thereafter. Take the keyfob apart as if you're going to change the battery. Circuit board cleaner (ask for it at Radio Shack) would be better, but don't delay.

    Next time just take a mechanical key. Leave the expensive keyfob in the car, wrapped in aluminum foil so that the electronics can't see it. Lock/unlock the door with the mechanical key.
     
    #2 RobH, Aug 29, 2011
  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Yeah, someone ran his through the washer and it still works.
     
    #3 32kcolors, Aug 29, 2011
  4. steveb123

    steveb123 New Member

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    I had never experience this kind of situational in my life, from today will also take care of mine car key may be it will happen with me also.
     
    #4 steveb123, Aug 29, 2011
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That's not a thermocline, that's bath water. :D Around here I feel lucky if the water is still liquid below the thermocline.

    (Don't think too hard about that statement, or you will feel obligated to call the physics of it into question.)

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Aug 29, 2011
  6. Minion

    Minion New Member

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    Sure you weren't wearing a dry suit?! :p

    75 degrees under a thermocline? I wish we had dives like that in NJ... :D
     
    #6 Minion, Aug 29, 2011
  7. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    Yeah, a few months after I got my Prius, my swimming trunks, with a key fob in them, went with me into a hot spring in Big Bend National Park.
    My wife would have killed me if it hadn't worked when I got out.
    But I'm still alive, so you know it did.

    But like everyone else, I've tried real hard not to do it again, especially since I found out the price of a replacement.
     
    #7 kgall, Aug 29, 2011
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd also open the fob up if it's been submerged, to help in drying it out. They're definitely not water-tight.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 29, 2011
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