Maintaining your digital locks might seem like a task for a mechanic, but it’s very simple. A digital lock works using a keycode system or biometric technology like the ones you can purchase on Lockey Digital.
You can maintain them with the simple tricks below.
Change Your Batteries
Some digital locks will tell you when you change your batteries. This information will either be on the packaging or they might have an LED screen that gives you the same information.
If you can’t find this information then change the batteries every 6 months. Put an alarm on your phone to tell you that a replacement is needed. This will give you enough time to find some batteries and make the swap before your batteries die off.
There are two reasons for this maintenance step. The first is obvious, as you want to make sure the digital lock continues to function. The second reason is to prevent the old batteries from leaking. If they leak, they could damage the software and hardware in the system.
Battery fluid is corrosive and can escape from the battery if it has been overused. Swapping out the batteries often will prevent this issue.
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Use The Right Batteries
If your lock requires a AA battery, but you figured out that a AAA battery will fit into the slot, you might be tempted to use the smaller option until you can find a bigger one. Don’t do this.
Each battery size has a different voltage and can handle a different amount of power. If you use the wrong one, then the casing in the battery is more likely to break. Remember that corrosive issue we just mentioned? You can cause that same destructive liquid to spill through your mechanics if you use the wrong battery.
Clean The Lock
You should clean your lock at the same time that you replace the batteries. This will help you keep on top of the maintenance management without having to have lots of reminders.
To clean the locks, you need to use a computer cloth and mechanical lubricant. Make sure to buy the correct gear otherwise you may erode the hardware.
When you’re cleaning be sure to wipe down the surface of any biometric pads and use the cloth to remove any dirt.
This should keep your lock clear, free of contaminants, and able to read your fingerprints.
Install A Door Closer
A door closer is a mechanic which allows your doors to close automatically and softly. In general, they are great options for people who want soft closing doors or are tired of people leaving the door open.
These are great for your digital locks, as they stop the high impact of a slamming door from rattling the mechanics in their systems.
The idea is to prevent the door from causing kinetic energy which pushes the wires around the device over time. They are simple to install, cheap, and can often be bought in the same stores that sell digital locks.
Ensure Your Gates or Doors Are Aligned Before Installing
This piece of advice is less to do with monthly maintenance and more to do with the original installation. However, this advice can help you avoid issues in the future. So, if you have already installed your digital lock, still read this subheading and consider if readjusting your doors is worth the effort.
The whole point of the lock is to stop people from entering an area they shouldn’t go into. If the door or gate isn’t aligned when you install your digital lock, then the lock won’t be able to hold the barrier firm. It needs the barrier to be strong already, otherwise, a potential burglar could easily overpower it.
To check if your door is straight, look for any gaps between the door and the door frame. For a gate, check to see if the hinges are disproportionately holding the gate in place.
If something looks wrong, you should realign the door or gate so that it’s flush against its hinges.
This will put less strain on the lock’s mechanics and will prevent snapping from the small contraption.
Summary
Here is a quick recap on how to maintain your digital locks. Before you install it you should ensure the door or gate is aligned. Next, you should install a door closer to prevent slamming.
Every 6 months you should replace the batteries with the correct sized replacements, and clean the lock area.
