Key Fob hacking and fabbing

I've been looking at ideas for reducing the bulk of my key fob in my pocket or eliminating it altogether. With proximity sensing and push button start, I feel like I shouldn't have to have a huge fob taking up room or possibly being lost.

I thought about getting a Lexus credit card key, but the expense is pretty ridiculous for a minor upgrade like that. So now I've come to the conclusion that making something myself is the best idea.

I'm only in the ideas phase right now, and have disassembled my fob to see what I've got to work with. I've included photos and would like to hear your ideas.

The CR2032 battery in the fob is twice as thick as a CR2016 but has more than double the capacity. So the 2016 would save space but reduce the battery life. That's a trade off I'm willing to take. Batteries are cheap.

The plastic battery housing can be eliminated entirely, if you integrate a battery housing with whatever you decide to mount the board to.

 

Have you seen the ajt design ones?

 

Noooooope

 

Just googled them. A little bigger than what I'm envisioning. I want as small a footprint as possible.

 

I gotta say this... The bulk of your key fob??? Really?
Are you only 3" tall maybe?
I am trying to find a lighter alternative to packing in my chainsaw two miles to work on the trail. The key fob "bulk" is not on my radar lol.
Sounds like a fun little project tho. Have fun with it and good luck with the smaller battery. I have never heard anyone say "I think my battery is too big and lasts too long!" You are the first.

 

Yea it's weird but I'm bored.

 

I like the AJT designs one, but it is too expensive for me, I don't want to spend over $20 for a key fob.

 

Yea me either. I have a Radix One minimalist wallet that cost me $13 a couple years ago. If I can somehow reduce the form factor of the key fob to comfortable fit within the confines of that wallet, I'll be satisfied.

 

Have you seen the Lexus wallet key?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lexus-credit-card-key-working-in-tacoma.445979/

 

Yea I mentioned that in the post. $200+ is pretty steep.

 

I'm currently working on one right now. I'll post pics when complete.

I'm still debating on if I should maintain the factory key. The form factor can be pretty compact without it.

 

Well, if you can get it to fit inside a small Altoid can, I'd be interested.

 

I thought about putting thick heat shrink tube around the entire board, but I have to fab a small button spacer first to keep them from being depressed by the tubing, and have to make sure the CR2016 battery is completely secure.

 

Maybe I can find heat shrink tubing large enough to fit around a credit card sized piece of plastic, drill small holes for the buttons, and then heat shrink the whole assembly together?

 

I’ve got a Radix One too. Best “wallet” I’ve ever bought.

 

Yea I like mine. I don't really carry cash, and it's the perfect size for the 3 credit cards and 4 ID cards I do carry.

 

What if you 3D print a credit card shaped housing but thicker to fit the parts (whatever height needed). The lock/unlock buttons could go on one or both sides of the radix indentation.

 

If I could borrow a 3D printer...

 

I'm actually in tinkerCad right now learning the ropes. Neat stuff.

 

I started making a super minamalist version a while ago. I wanted as low profile as possible.(no key) I got it down to 1"W X 1.8"L still haven't got around to finishing it.