Electronic Safe lock issue? (LaGard)

[a1abdj]

My particular safe (Fort Knox) has a lifetime warranty, but of course I won't know how good that is until I need it.

I'm not speaking of anybody's warranty in particular, but most warranties do not cover the locks on the safe. The lock manufacturer's warranty covers the lock, and those warranties are relatively short.

Question: Why doesn't anyone offer a safe with Both? Electronic for fast entry, and a mechanical dial for backup in a failure situation.

There is one company that makes that lock, and you could have one put on your safe.

There are also electronic locks with built in redundant features being used in Europe. They are very reliable, and being used on bank vaults. They run around $2,000, not counting installation. For some reason, they aren't selling them in the US at the moment.

A friend of mine got a similar model to mine, if the keypad should fail, I'm assuming I could borrow his keypad to get inside if needed.

If it's a keypad failure and not a lock failure then you probably can. In your case, the Fort Knox should have a S&G 6120. Their keypads are removable.

Finally, I made it a point to enter several combinations on my safe. That is one of the big advantages to an electronic lock- my combo, wife's combo, dad's combo... and easy to change if needed. Even if one or two keypads went bad, I'd still be able to get in using another combination that does not use that digit. Also keeps you from overuse of one digit or another.

Murphy's law says that the pound key will be the key that goes bad on your keypad.

Oh, one more thing- everyone I know who uses a manual dial will leave the safe open after going through the tedious proceedure of dialing in the combination. I much prefer being able to keep mine locked except when I am getting something in or out.

That is another great feature that the electronic locks offer.

 

[Ironballs]

Still no satisfaction. I have left a new message daily (I think they pick up the phone 1 out of 40 calls?)

I have a pistol in that safe which I want to use to qualify on for CCW, and my prepaid CCW course is going to expire soon if I do not use it. Grrr

 

[dakotascott]

Who is not responsive? The locksmith or Cannon? What exactly is your lock doing?

 

[Ironballs]

Who is not responsive? The locksmith or Cannon? What exactly is your lock doing?

Cannon is hard to reach the techs... always answering machine. No contact (or contact info) for any locksmith (whom was supposed to contact me 2 last week).

code entered, two beeps telling me proper code, but no access. Change batteries, same... lately I get 3 beeps telling me wrong code, and no access.

 

[Flame Red]

For me the electronic has been very reliable. I open mine just about every day and most days multiple times a day. I had mine about 4 years and would never own a mechanical again because I could not open it without glasses. I converted to a biometric one a couple years ago and that is really the best. The only complaint I have about it is that it beeps and I would really prefer if it had a silent option in the menu.

To me I would be a bit pissed if it did break one day, and had to go thru the expense of having it drilled. However, that would give me the perfect excuse to get a bigger safe!

 

[dakotascott]

With the lock giving three beep it sounds like you may have to have it drilled.
Most common problem with the ELocks are that the batteries are dead or the bolts are in a bind. I would try another new Battery just for grins and shake handle hard left and right to see if solenoid was in a bind. Other than that call Liberty safe and Lock in Las Vegas. 702-871-5397. I dont know these guys personaly but they sell some of my products.

 

[dakotascott]

By the way. Dont feel bad I have a customer here in Oklahoma that bought a Cannon from me 5 yrs ago that was having a problem with his mechanical lock. Tried getting hold of Cannon for several weeks. "Best warranty in the business" Getting something warrantied from them is like winning the Lottery!!!!

 

[Ironballs]

well,.. I spoke to the operator over at Cannon just now. I tell her that I am leaving a message a day with the techs for almost 3 weeks, and nobody has contacted me...

she tells me to 'stop leaving messages' as the techs are too busy to deal with anyone as they have such a backlog of messages to listen to. Next she insists that every message will be replied to. I asked her how long the back log is, beyond the 3 weeks I am already waiting... she says 'I do not know.'

 

[xjchief]

Hmmm that's strange that there's not a mechanical override on your safes. Mine is electronic but has a second key that can be inserted along with the regular key that will open the safe in the event of a dead battery or dead electronics.

Either way that sucks that it's so hard to get a hold of them to get any warranty work done. The folks I bought my safe from answer the phone when it rings and don't even have a menu to go through. I'm pretty darn happy about that!

 

[Ironballs]

well, looks like every call got returned last night. (I got several call backs, as they went through the messages and found another message from me, I got another call back).

looks like one of their techs went ill, and the cs is working through the back log. They tell me I should be taken care of soon, and apologize for the delay.

 

[Ironballs]

Update:

Under Warranty- Cannon fixed/replaced/drilled my lock.

one guy came out and began working on the safe from 12-3. At 3 a second guy came and they worked together until 730pm. They had to drill the lock, they had many carbide bits break... but the job is done.

 

[a1abdj]

I'm glad they FINALLY got around to opening your safe. The fact that they picked up the tab is great, but the amount of time it took them is completely unacceptable.

It also sounds like they used an amateur locksmith. I'm just glad you're back up and running.