I had a mildly eye-opening experience yesterday and thought I'd share so all can learn from it.
I have a very young daughter, and therefore keep my weapons locked up. I keep my carry pistols (one of which doubles as a HD pistol) in a Stack On safe with an electronic keypad that is bolted to my very heavy solid wood headboard in my bedroom.
Yesterday, for whatever reason, I went to change out one carry pistol for another, only to find that the keypad was completely unresponsive. The battery had died! Thank god I wasn't trying to get my HD pistol out to defend my family, because I would've been screwed.
I got this safe specifically because of the electronic entry. I wanted to be able to open it in the dark quietly and without a key. It has a backup key, but the keyhole is covered by a piece of plastic that has to be pried off with a tool. Not something I'd want to have to do under stress.
I've had this safe for a year and a half. The instructions suggested changing the battery every year (IIRC) so I've been changing them on Christmas day, along with the batteries in my tac lights and emergency flashlights (none of those lights get used much so I thought that should be often enough). I use only name brand alkaline batteries because I expect a higher level of reliability form them.
Well, I've learned my lesson. I'll be changing all my batteries twice a year now. Better safe than sorry. I strongly suggest anyone else with an electronic safe do the same.
I have a very young daughter, and therefore keep my weapons locked up. I keep my carry pistols (one of which doubles as a HD pistol) in a Stack On safe with an electronic keypad that is bolted to my very heavy solid wood headboard in my bedroom.
Yesterday, for whatever reason, I went to change out one carry pistol for another, only to find that the keypad was completely unresponsive. The battery had died! Thank god I wasn't trying to get my HD pistol out to defend my family, because I would've been screwed.
I got this safe specifically because of the electronic entry. I wanted to be able to open it in the dark quietly and without a key. It has a backup key, but the keyhole is covered by a piece of plastic that has to be pried off with a tool. Not something I'd want to have to do under stress.
I've had this safe for a year and a half. The instructions suggested changing the battery every year (IIRC) so I've been changing them on Christmas day, along with the batteries in my tac lights and emergency flashlights (none of those lights get used much so I thought that should be often enough). I use only name brand alkaline batteries because I expect a higher level of reliability form them.
Well, I've learned my lesson. I'll be changing all my batteries twice a year now. Better safe than sorry. I strongly suggest anyone else with an electronic safe do the same.