and not to be a smart *** i dont recall any of them blowing up because of it.but i admit it might be a better idea to lay it inside of the door and just take it out when you need it.

 

take it out when you need it?
The idea is to have it on the car when you need it.

 

These things use the same signal that the keyfob uses. Technically, if you were to use the keyfob while standing right next to your gas tank filler, then its the same thing with the keypad. This idea is FANTASTIC!!!

 

I kind of have to agree, except for the fact that the keypad lights up, so there could be a "spark".

However, at the same time, the unit is made to be placed on the outside of the car, being exposed to any and all elements. So, if it can withstand rain, I think it would be OK.

But either way, I'm keeping mine right where it is.

And, BTW, I found a great new use for it: you can lock your doors and keep the engine running (ie-to run into the post office or something). That way, you don't have to keep turning the engine on and off.

 

like i said,its only for emergecy use like when a grand youngen pulls the key out of the switch,gets out and locks the doors.i know,just get a key,but when i got it i didnt know it would look so bad on the door.wish they made in the hoor handle like my lightning.

 

Here's a thought... what if you attached the remote keypad to the inside of the fuel door with industrial velcro? When you need to use it you simply open the door, remove the keypad, use it a short distance away from the fuel filler neck, and then return it to the inside of the fuel door.

 

I like this idea of velcro, but I'll look for a different place to mount the sucker than the gas fill area I think. Maybe if its velcroed on there it can be under the side of the car somewhere, and zip! pop it off and click it.

One other knock I had about the unit was that its a bit more unsightly in person, the unit itself, than I expected when I purchased mine. For what you expect to be a very small profile device, it actually has sizeable thickness to it and the button are rather larger than what you would find going pre-installed on circa 2001 vehicles.

One other note, this last is just rumor maybe but I am under the impression that Ford has discontinued producing this item, so whatever is in stock could all that is left for inventory.

 

Justin, the reason its as thick as it is, is to accomodate a battery for it. You have to realize that the ones that come on the cars are cut into the doors, and that is why they don't stick out as much. Plus the factory ones work off the car battery.

 

i'm liking the fuel door idea.

honestly, any spark that thing creates around the sealed fuel nozzle right there... i wouldnt wory about it. i would only worry about dumping gas on it and frying it.

 

I was told this by my local dealer. He said it was because in order to replace the battery, you must take off the keypad. This caused people to scratch up their cars. I'm sure that there are other reasons as well.

 

Not a good idea. Try pulling apart some velcro in a totally dark room. The sparks you see are greater than the possibility of a spark from the button contacts. You're talking several hundred volts of static electricity as opposed to 3 volts for the battery in the unit. I've managed to fry some CMOS chips from residual static electricity when my grounding strap inadvertantly came loose while handling CMOS components.

I know that the gas tank is a closed loop system but I don't remember where the overpressure vent is located. I always thought that any overpressure was vented through the cap. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks

From the rocket ranch

BB

Semper Fi

 

Yep, I follow you. I guess images on the internet though can be a bit misleading, either that, or I just didn't look closely enough at the size before buying mine. Either way, I think it'll get mounted in my case with the velcro idea but not in the fuel area! I liked someone's idea of a spring loaded license plate holder, with this thing behind it (if it would fit). Otherwise, I'm going to look for some place under the car or something like that. When I do it, I'll post some pics. It could be awhile though.

Regards,

 

To the best of my knowledge there's not normally any significant venting from the cap. In any event this is likely all a moot point. Living here in Arid-zona I can say withot much hesitation that static electricity is a BIG problem for most of us Zonies! With high summer temperatures and low humidity its pretty easy to build up static electricity. From my experience few people think to ground themselves before filling their cars gas tank. In the 28 years I've lived in this kitty litter, I've yet to see a case of a gas station that exploded outside of a few scenes in the movies!

In terms of gas fumes themselves, even if the gas cap acted as a vent to manage over pressurization, there's little likelyhood that the area around the filler neck could accumulate a heavy enough concentration of gas fumes to be a significant risk. Why? Because any fumes that collect around the filler neck would likely disperse through the opening at the back of the stock fuel door.

I suspect the greatest risk might be if someone would attempt to use the remote while actively filling their gas tank. And ya know what... I see lots of people ignoring the signs and yakking on their cell phones while filling their cars at gas stations. If the myths about static electricity and gas fumes were right then there ought to be a lot more gas station explosions then there have been in recent years. Is it possible for static electricity to ignite gas fumes? Heck Yea! Is it likely? Not without a little (bad) luck and a large concentration of fumes. Personally I think the guys at Mythbusters got it right!

 

You grounding yourself through the normal pumping process.

Not sure if the laws of physics are different in Arizona but if I fill a tank up at night here in Fla. when the temps are in the low seventies or high sixties and I then walk out to my vehicle the next day after the temperature is in the mid to high nineties, I find a puddle of gas under my filler. I'll also have gas draining down the side of my vehicle. Now if the gas fumes are between 1.5% and 7.5% by volume with the surrounding air we are at an optimum flash point when exposed to a spark. The fact that there is liquid gas present also means there is evaporation and fumes which haven't disipated. Yes many factors have to be present but the spark from velcro could (again "could") cause ignition. How likely, not very but higher than the 3 volt 2032 battery and button contacts on the keyless entry unit.

Never said there was a high probability but the probability does exist, not so much from the cell phone Tx as the most dangerous part of the cell phone is the battery. One of my hobbies is electric RC airplanes and on our forums we have quite a few rechargeable batteries causing garage, house, and car fires when left unattended while charging, with some occuring when discharging. The newer Lithium (LiPo, and LiIon) batteries have caused more problems than the older NiMH and NiCad batteries though these have also caused problems.

I'm glad you mentioned Mythbusters, Those advocates for adhereing to good sound scientific method, NOT! Entertaining show, has several goals as I see it. 1. Be entertaining and acquire a large viewing audience. 2. Acquire gobs of sponsership monies. 3. Be somewhat accurate with what is presented, or maybe more accurately, don't be so inaccurate as to attact lawsuits. They handle lots of volatile substances but I rarely if ever see them whip out an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

On gas station explosions, they don't explode like that propane explosion in WV last week. What you a get is a pump fire which is usually stopped by hitting the master pump kill switch displayed in front of the station and then hitting it with foam or dry chem. The end result is either a crispy critter car or a crispy critter gas pump, or both. Gas pump and car fires are usually way down in the noise level as far as news broadcasts are concerned. I've responded to many car fires and a few gas pump fires that never made it to the 5 o'clock news. News broadcasts also adhere to the three goals I mentioned previously. They are more concerned with shock and awe, so rapes, murders, traffic accidents with fatalities, and the antics of the ruling political party has precedence. Unless. of course, it's sweeps month and then exposes are the main draw.

I only pointed out that between the two, a 3 volt powered Tx, and the velcro, the velcro would present the greater likelihood of a spark.

Part of my job requires periodic risk assessment reports. These are complicated and time consuming. One of the side effects is that this stuff stays with me and I apply it to how I do things at home and off the job. Sometimes it ends up being long winded posts on forums.

I'll stop now


From the rocket ranch

BB

Semper Fi

 

1st thing that comes to mind after all this talk was this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKhURamX6VU

 

Thank's Stoenr. I saw one posting of that incident where it was labeled cell phone fire, it was static electricity all the way.

Found another from static electricity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSr7vyXXo4

BB

 

yeah, notice how she kept pulling on her shirt. Looks like a wool shirt, and we all know that stuff is like a static electricy magnet. plus getting back into the car didnt help im sure.

 

Somehow I suspect either the laws of physics here are different. Either that or you've got a leaky filler cap. In 28 years of surviving in this wasteland I can honestly say I've hardly ever seen a long standing puddle of anything, other than my perspiration, pool anywhere around one of my cars here in Arid-zona!



Ya know... there tends to be an occasional problem with good sound scientific method, namely that good sound scientific method takes more time than some scientists are willing to invest. Many scientists these days take just as many shortcuts as do Adam and Jamie. Remember... research scientists have to fight for grant money or continued sponsorship by their employers. Corporate America isn't nearly as philanthropic as they used to be. To them time is money and if they can bring a product to market in 2 years rather than 5 then they're gonna start profiting on their investment 3 years sooner. Whats really twisted about is that the one thing that keeps them in check is the risk of litigation and product liability suits.

In any event I totally agree with you that what the Mythbusters do is more for entertainment. On the flip side, however, they have legitimately busted a few long standing myths.

 

Does the keypad let you chose what doors to unlock like the remote. hit it once for your door twice for both?
thanks

 

Yes. When you type in your code, it unlocks the driver door. Then, if you press # 3/4, it unlocks the other doors. And/or, if you press #5/6, it unlocks the trunk.

also, you can LOCK your doors with the keypad, by pressing the last two buttons at the same time