Sentry safe batteries dying quickly

[Hunter125]

Hey all,
I recently got a bedside safe for my HD pistol since my daughter is mobile now. I got a Sentry safe with the lid that automatically pops up when you punch the code.
I have had it for a couple months and the batteries are already dead. I was wondering if anyone knew exactly what uses the batteries on this safe. I typically open it and keep the gun on my bedside table, then when I get up on the morning I put the gun back in and close it. Would it be using battery power while its just sitting open? I would say no except that when you close it there is a whir of mechanical noise while it locks, so I'm really not sure. My other Sentry safe is not an automatic door.and it lasts over a year on batteries.

 

[Drail]

My theory on what you are seeing is because of the "automatic" pop open feature. There has to be a relay that retracts the latch and it will use more current than a manually opened latch. I also have a Sentry safe (manually opened latches) and the batteries last a long time. Buy good batteries (I like Duracell) and a tester and check them regualrly.

 

[brickeyee]

I have had it for a couple months and the batteries are already dead.

Did you install the batteries or use ones that came with the unit?

 

[JustinJ]

I have an electric safe but its not a sentry. It sucks down 9V in no time also. I've even thought about hard wiring a power to it off a nine volt xfmr with backup battery power. I'll never buy an electric safe again.

 

[Drail]

I think there is something wrong with the safe's electronics. I have used a Sentry safe with an electronic keypad lock for ten years now and have only had to replace the battery maybe twice. The garage door keypad that sits on the outside of my garage all winter has a 9 volt batt. in it and it lasts several years between batteries. You should contact Sentry. But the "pop open" feature makes me wonder about the current drain if it's used frequently. If it really eats batteries that fast it is a poor design. Especially if it's going to fail when you really need to access a gun. I would never trust something that runs on a battery for emergency access to a defensive gun. It needs to be 100% failproof.

 

[wally]

I was apprehensive with my first electronic lock RSC, but approaching two years and the batteries are still fine.

I think something might me wrong with your unit.