Change Those Keypad Batteries on Your Safes -- Do It Every Year!

[Forum Boss]

Hey guys, this is just a reminder. If you have a safe with a digital keypad, you should replace the battery every year as a precautionary measure.

I have one safe with a Sargent & Greenleaf (S&G) keypad. I went to get into the safe today. Punched in the combination, and all I got was a rapid "Beep, beep, beep, beep" after I finished the last combination entry. I tried again -- same deal -- no workee.

I popped out the battery holder (which slides in from the bottom of the keypad housing on the door). I removed the battery and tested it with my Volt-meter. The Duracell 9v only registered 6.1 volts.

Rushed down to the store and got a couple new 9V batteries. Both measured 9.4 volts output.

I slipped one of the new batteries into the keypad housing, punched in the combination and everything worked OK again. Eureka.

That was a relief!

Most electronic locks for safes WILL "remember" the combination for a period of time even when the battery is low (and it retains the combination when you remove the battery for replacement). However... extended periods of low voltage or dead battery can give you problems. Don't rely on wishful thinking...

If the battery on your safe is more than a year old, or if it is not giving you the right voltage, replace it today!

BTW, I do generally recommend dial locks over digital locks based on reports from professional locksmiths we have contacted.

My S&G keypad takes one (1) 9v battery. The version below takes two. Note how the battery compartment slides in from the bottom:

 

[mr45man]

YES Do it
I had one go bad after replacing the bat,Was on the phone
with the factory rep, still under warrenty/
Any how after about an hour got it open thats the good part.
Had to stay home till the new lock came . I would not leave with the safe unlocked
John H

 

[spclark]

100% agreement here & then some.

Bought a used safe with digital S&G lock, changed the batteries the day it got delivered, then at least once a year afterward.

Couple years back the thing refused to open anyway, no sound, nothin.'

I managed to trip the 'safety interlock' trying to get the darn thing to open up too... had a weekend match I wanted to shoot.

(Turns out that mechanism had been poorly installed, or tampered with after it left the factory. Both screws holding it on were loose, one was stripped... accident waiting to happen.)

Once the locksmith got my safe 'cracked' I bought off him a nice, new mechanical lock.

You might have faith in electronics but mine's gone forever, atleast for my gunsafe's door....

 

[TheOtherZilla]

That's funny, the same thing happened to me saturday..

 

[Charlie-NY]

It's probably a good idea to change the batteries in your smoke detectors while you're at it.

 

[Larryh128]

And that exactly why I bought the one with the dial. Slower for sure but the batteries last forever.

 

[Phil]

And that exactly why I bought the one with the dial. Slower for sure but the batteries last forever.

True this.............

My battery has seemingly lasted forever too....just spin and open.