Check your Batteries!

[Ex-MA Hole]

I know that this will turn into a "that's why I don't have a safe with batteries" thread, but fine...

One of my safes is a Versa Vault- I went on my routine check this AM, and it wouldn't open. Glad I figured it out now!

Gentlemen, and Ladies, remember to check your batteries!!!

 

[aguyindallas]

This is sort of amusing actually....

I bought a new safe about 6 months ago. Large floor standing model with a keypad.

A few weeks ago, I had some friends over for a few drinks and some burgers. HighVelocity came over and I showed him my safe. He noted that he didnt like a safe that had a keypad because, what if it goes dead....I can totally agree with him. I told him how you change the battery (which I had not needed to do up to this point) and we moved along.

Wouldnt you know it, the very next morning when I opened the safe, it gave me a different sequence of beeps when it unlocked. I knew something was up, and suspected the battery might be low. Mind you, my safe will still open and this is a warning that the battery is getting weak. I got out the manual, and as suspected, it means low battery power. I then read to where it says what type it needs and it specifically says to use a quality battery, like Energizer, Duracell, etc...It actually lists a couple of brand names.

So, at this point, I head out to get a new Duracell for it. When I pop off the key pad, what do I see?

Some el junko, el cheapo made in Taiwan type battery. They type toy manufacturers give you when you buy a battery operated kids toy. The type you get sometimes with your new DVD player remote control. Pure junk.

How the heck can the safe MFR tell you that you need to use a certain tyoe of battery, and to make sure it is a quality type and then put junk in there.

Amazing.

Sorry about the rant.

Bottom line, check it often, keep extra batteries on hand.

 

[deadin]

Out of curosity, just how does one get into a digital safe if the batteries die?
I would hope there is an external power jack or something for an AC converter or power pack.
(I think I will stick with my mechanical safes.)


Dean

 

[Chipperman]

Because the battery that comes with them is "for demonstration purposes only"

 

[Geno]

Dead battery = Do Not Enter

Because when the battery dies one can not open the vault, I change my battery immediately at the first warning beep. The difference between good V. junk batteries in my Connon vault is literally double the life. I open my vaault at least 4 or 5 times per day. That frequencey is because anytime I walk away from it, even if for just 1 minute to make an instant coffee, I close it. It's simple to change and inexpensive. Just keep an extra Energizer around and pop it in. It beats the alternative.

Doc2005

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

What's needed here is to differentiate between quality equipment & junk. If you get an RSC or safe with a LaGard or S&G electronic lock, there is no problem with dead batteries. Being 'the good stuff', these locks have the power supply (battery(s)) in the keypad, which is outside the door. The locks are of the type that retain the combination on chip. Doesn't matter if it's without power for a minute, a week, or longer, because when power is restored the memory is still there.

As for the various pistol vaults on the market with internal batteries, get one with a key over-ride. Don't hide the key too well, you're probably gonna need it.

Doc2005, I don't know what you've got, but if I were you, I'd consider upgrading. You don't have to live in fear of a nephew filching the batteries outta your safe to power his I-pod .

Gentlemen, you get what you pay for.

900F

 

[aguyindallas]

With my safe, all you have to do to change the battery is firmly move the key pad up. Grab the whole thing and just lift it. It moves about 1/4 inch and then pops off. You slowly pull it away from the door and change it. Takes about 20 seconds.

The key is doing it as soon as you get the warning sounds.

 

[atlctyslkr]

Out of curosity, just how does one get into a digital safe if the batteries die?

Most have a backup key if the batteries are not external to the vault.

 

[baz]

As for the various pistol vaults on the market with internal batteries, get one with a key over-ride. Don't hide the key too well, you're probably gonna need it.

The key is on my key chain. The spare is hidden elsewhere, behind another locked door.

 

[deadin]

I can understand the external batteries (on the better safes) but fail to see the logic of having a electronic lock at all if there is also a key that will open the safe. Why not just the key? In addition, most key locks can be defeated without too much effort. Medco is an exception, but they are pricey and can be drilled out just like any other cylinder. (I know because I have done it.)

Dean

 

[CB900F]

Deadin;

I'm presuming the locks you're referring to are Medeco, not Medco. You might actually have drilled one of them, but you didn't do it "just like any other cylinder".

I'm not only a professional locksmith, I'm the Medeco dealer.

900F

 

[deadin]

l will admit I've drilled easier ones. This one was in a FireKing, but it did drill. (Had to drill, I sure as H... couldn't pick it. ) Took me about 10 minutes and two drill bits. (And then around $70 for a new lock, but I got a free fire file out of it.)
(Sorry about the spelling, my laptop skips "e"'s every now and then)

Dean

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

I will try to answer all "questions"

Mine has a key over-ride.

The reason for the touchpad versus key only is speed. I have another safe (Sorry CB900F, an RSC. Yes, It's crap, but it keeps my 2 year old from shooting herself, and it has kept my nephew from stealing it. Although I didn't spent 1,000,000 dollars on it, it did it's job. My apologies.) nearby that has a key, but I found that it takes to long to open. ESPECIALLY when you hiding spot was in an old shirt pocket, and your wife decides to help and sends that shirt, which I hadn't worn in years, to the cleaners. Also security. I don't have to worry about someone finding the key. It's locked in another safe. That's how I got into change the batteries.

(My other safe, er RSC, has a traditional dial lock, with a key that will lock the dial. )

This is used ONLY for my home defense in one location. I have other places that things are locked down. Up until recently, I opened it weekly. Unfortunately, the Mother in Law passed away recently, and my life is in shambles. My wife is a mess. My two year old wants to know why Grammy doesn't call anymore. Then she wants to know why mommy cries when she asks.

The "low battery" has been flashing, buy my Wife got a new watch, so I assumed it was her alarm going off. She assumed I heard it and never questioned it.

It was dumb on my part, and I need to be more careful, I was lucky that it wasn't in an emergency, yada, yada, yada. Please cut me some slack.

My point was nothing more than to remind people in a similar situation to double check in case they had forgotten to.

That is all.

M

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

"The reason for the touchpad versus key only is speed. I have another safe (Sorry CB900F, an RSC. Yes, It's crap, but it keeps my 2 year old from shooting herself, and it has kept my nephew from stealing it. Although I didn't spent 1,000,000 dollars on it, it did it's job. My apologies.)"

I might be guilty of talking down on RSC's, but I've never said that having one isn't better than having nothing. And by the way, true safes don't cost $1,000,000.00, or even a significant fraction thereof. A rule of thumb is; A true safe runs about the cost of three good guns. Not OMG live pigeon guns, or 'the superb engraving is embellished with ten, half-carat rubies' type guns, or exotic stuff like that. Just good solid better guns like a Browning Citori, Remington Sendero with Leupold, etc.

900F

 

[iiibdsiil]

Hell, my dial safe (don't keep my gun in there, thank God!) usually takes me 3 times to open it. I always get switched up on which way I'm supposed to turn the knob first time around, then when I figure out it's the wrong way I just tried, I can't remember which way I just tried, and end up usually doing it again the wrong way. Add in not hitting the numbers close enough or accidentially passing one... definitely not something I would want to try in a rush.

And the last thing I need is to be trying to find my keys, because that's usually a whole nother disaster.

They don't make a keypad safe that plugs into the wall, with a battery backup?

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

With all the hoorah about smart guns and their frailties I am surprised anyone has a safe that depends on batteries. I am definitely for the mechanical connection.

 

[mattw]

What if the SHTF and you get nailed with an EMP?!

Time to get out a cutting torch!

I keep my tin foil hat in my NON-ELECTRONIC SAFE!