So my wife finally found the second original key and remote for her 2002 Honda Civic. I'd gotten a couple of keys copied from the other original key, but they don't work to start the engine and will even set off the alarm if I open the door/trunk without using the remote (if the thing is alarmed via the remote). I was thinking of going out and getting a new key and remote at the dealer, but I hear they cost a fortune. When I drove her car, I always ran the risk of forgetting to give the key back to her. I also worried about losing the only known working key when we were on vacation.
So the remote is at least 12 years old with the original battery, and it still works. I just popped it open for a look and the battery is intact without any leaks. I'm still going to replace it though. This morning I stopped at Fry's and bought a 2-pack of A23 batteries, but it turns out that it's A27 (I hadn't replaced one in a while). As far as I can tell, they're only made in China regardless of whose name is on the label. I'm not sure they're all the same quality though. The factory installed battery was from Gold Peak. I thought these 12V alkaline cylinder cells were originally for pagers and some compact garage opener remotes, but some remote keyless entry systems use them.
Why use these? I know it's 12V, but I've gotten pretty good life out of 1 or 2 lithium button cell remotes. Frankly - this Civic remote has lousy range. The (Alpine) remote from my 2004 WRX uses a single CR2032 and I've been able to see it work from 500 feet away in a parking lot when I was in a high-rise building. The Civic is lucky if I can get it to work 25 feet away with nothing in between.
I'm also kind of shocked at how much these things cost. $2.99 for a single A27 at an electronics store. Someone walking into AutoZone might even pay $6 for one because they're not sure where else to get one - other than a dealer which might have even have higher prices. I bought my lithium button cells in bulk (Maxell or Sony) from a large reseller on Amazon that has free shipping. I can get something like $2.25 for a 5-pack of Maxell (not some cheap Chinese battery that might leak) CR2032 batteries. The place I normally buy from has GP A27 in a 5-pack for less than $4.
So where do you guys get batteries? I've got all these assorted electronics that use lithium button cells and buying in bulk makes sense for me. They also have a long shelf life (wish Maxell would put an expiration date on their packages though) so it's not a big deal to buy a bunch. Not sure about the 12V batteries, but I figure having some spares mean that we can swap them out in a couple of years. Even if it still sort of works, it's nice having a fresh battery because it increases range.
So the remote is at least 12 years old with the original battery, and it still works. I just popped it open for a look and the battery is intact without any leaks. I'm still going to replace it though. This morning I stopped at Fry's and bought a 2-pack of A23 batteries, but it turns out that it's A27 (I hadn't replaced one in a while). As far as I can tell, they're only made in China regardless of whose name is on the label. I'm not sure they're all the same quality though. The factory installed battery was from Gold Peak. I thought these 12V alkaline cylinder cells were originally for pagers and some compact garage opener remotes, but some remote keyless entry systems use them.
Why use these? I know it's 12V, but I've gotten pretty good life out of 1 or 2 lithium button cell remotes. Frankly - this Civic remote has lousy range. The (Alpine) remote from my 2004 WRX uses a single CR2032 and I've been able to see it work from 500 feet away in a parking lot when I was in a high-rise building. The Civic is lucky if I can get it to work 25 feet away with nothing in between.
I'm also kind of shocked at how much these things cost. $2.99 for a single A27 at an electronics store. Someone walking into AutoZone might even pay $6 for one because they're not sure where else to get one - other than a dealer which might have even have higher prices. I bought my lithium button cells in bulk (Maxell or Sony) from a large reseller on Amazon that has free shipping. I can get something like $2.25 for a 5-pack of Maxell (not some cheap Chinese battery that might leak) CR2032 batteries. The place I normally buy from has GP A27 in a 5-pack for less than $4.
So where do you guys get batteries? I've got all these assorted electronics that use lithium button cells and buying in bulk makes sense for me. They also have a long shelf life (wish Maxell would put an expiration date on their packages though) so it's not a big deal to buy a bunch. Not sure about the 12V batteries, but I figure having some spares mean that we can swap them out in a couple of years. Even if it still sort of works, it's nice having a fresh battery because it increases range.
