Electronic Safe Batteries | Q&A

Sep 29
2010

Here at BestBatteryTips.com we get asked a wide variety of questions from our loyal readers and a very popular topic continues to be electronic safe, security

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable Batteries

safes and fireproof safes that are outfitted with electronic locks. Whether you have purchased a home safe, gun safe or a commercial grade security container, the batteries in your lock will eventually wind up dead. Below we have put together our TOP 5 Questions & Answers to help you alleviate the headache of not being able to open your safe when the inevitable happens!

TOP 5 QUESTION OUR READERS ASK US

1) What brand or type of battery should I use in my gun safe?
Comparing rechargeable vs. Alkaline

Electronic gun safes vary from the storage of pistols and handguns to rifles and shotguns. Whether your lock uses biometric fingerprint access or is a digital keypad or electronic lock the type of battery you choose should reflect upon the following:

  • How often you open and close the gun safe
  • Does the safe sit idle for long periods of time with no use

If you access your gun safe on a daily basis you put a different type of ware on your batteries, typcially referred to as “high drainage.”  High drainage means your batteries are low quickly and frequently, if this is the case from repeated opening and closing of your safe you should choose rechargeable batteries. The general rule of thumb is that if you buy batteries more often than once a month you should probably consider rechargeable brands like Duracell or Energizer instead.

2) What are the best batteries for a Sentry Safe?
The manufacturer, SentrySafe recommends the use of Duracell, as do many of the top brand names. These batteries offer great reliability and tremendous value. Fore more information read our previous blog about AA Batteries with your SentrySafe

3) How do I replace my electronic safe batteries?

Every lock is different, just like every safe. To better help you , we’ve written several How-to blog articles for many brands and types of electronic safes HERE

4) My battery is dead in my safe, will it remember the combination?

YES. YES. YES. Both digital and electronic safe locks are designed with internal memory (much like your laptop or notebook computer) to remember the codes and combination.

5) How do I know if my battery is going dead in my safe?

*BEEP*  *BEEP* *BEEP* You can hear it loud and clear, a constant or repeated beeping sound coming from your hidden safe… that means it’s time to change or replace the batteries. Whether your safe uses 9V or AA batteries, safe manufacturers design their safes and electronic locks to beep when the battery needs replaced. A common practice is to replace the batteries every 6 to 12 months regardless if the lock beeps with a low battery warning.

We regularly update our blog with the best tips and tricks for getting the most our of your battery…whether that is Automotive, Cell Phone or laptop batteries, we are your source for Best Battery Tips!

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Safes with Electronic Locks – Replacing the Batteries S&G 6120

Dec 11
2009

MYTH: The electronic lock will not remember the pass code or password during battery replacement.

FACT: The circuitry is designed to hold the password information for extended periods of time even if there are no batteries installed.

Many safes today come standard with battery powered or electronic locks. There are many reasons to buy a safe with either a digital keypad or biometric fingerprint sensor; whether that be security, safety or access control.  In today’s blog post we will walk you through the standard procedure for replacing the battery in the S&G® 6120 lock. You’ll know that it is time to put in a new 9 volt when the lock beeps repeatedly when not in use.

The Sargent & Greenleaf® lock is standard on many commercial fire safes. Manufacturers such as FireKing,  SentrySafe and Hamilton utilize these locks for reliability and access control.  After continuous use, the battery will weaken and replacement is necessary. Typically the battery life for a safe with electronic lock is one year or more.

Low Battery Condition
The Model 6120 lock uses two 9-volt alkaline batteries. S&G® recommends Duracell®. If the batteries in the lock need to be replaced, a total of twenty consecutive beeps will be audible after the last number of the code and the # sign have been pressed. The batteries must be replaced before the lock on your safe can be opened.

keypad lock

Step 1—
Remove the keypad from the mounting base plate. This is easily accomplished by pulling the bottom of the keypad away from the base. Grip the keypad as shown in the photo for best results. Support the keypad so that the wires which are attached to its circuit board are not pulled or damaged. Remember, do not let the electronic keypad hang from its wires!

removing and changing Duracell 9 Volts

removing and changing Duracell 9 Volts

Step 2—

Turn the keypad over and remove both 9 volt batteries.  This is best accomplished by grasping the bottom of a battery and pulling it gently away from the circuit board.  Please do not use any type of tool to pry a battery from its holder as this can cause damage to the locks circuit board.

Step 3—

Install new 9 volt batteries by pushing them directly into the battery connectors. Again, S&G® recommends two Duracell 9 volt batteries. During this step remeber to support the connectors so they will not become bent or damaged when insterting the new batteries. The connectors are designed to make it very difficult / nearly impossible to install a battery incorrectly.  Pay attention to battery polarity so you don’t damage a connector by installing a battery backwards.

S&G Lock Battery

Don't Damage the Wires!

Step 4—

Hold the electronic keypad close to the mounting base while you coil the excess battery wire inside. Gently move the wire away from the spring clips that hold the keypad to the mounting base – this will again prevent damage to the electronics and circuit boards of the  lock and ensure proper operation of the safe.

Step 5—

Align the spring clips with the in the base. Gently push the keypad back onto its mounting base. Don’t allow any wire(s) to be damaged by contact with the spring clips. The keypad should gently snap into place on the base.

Step 6—

Check the master password and all user codes (if you have them)  at least three times with the safe door open. Close the door of the safe only after the lock has been thoroughly checked for proper operation.

Failure to check the lock prior to closing the door could result in the inability to open the safe. If this occurs, a locksmith will need to be called to open the safe, creating costly expenses (especially if it’s after hours or over a holiday).

For more information please visit the Sargent and Greenleaf website at http://www.sargentandgreenleaf.com

In our next installment on electronic safes and locks we’ll be taking a look at the GunVault Pistol Safe.