I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve got to admit, I still keep a backup key hidden out back. Maybe it’s just old habits from living in this creaky Victorian—locks here have a mind of their own. Once, the power went out during a storm and the keypad just blinked at me like it was mocking me.
I hear you, but for me, it’s more about peace of mind than convenience. Battery packs are clever, though. Maybe I’m just not ready to trust tech all the way yet.“If I’m still stashing keys around, might as well just stick with the old lock and save myself the hassle of changing batteries.”
- Been there with the “mocking” keypad—mine once flashed “low battery” right as I was running late for work.
- I still keep a spare key in the shed, just in case. Old habits die hard, especially when you’ve had a lock freeze up mid-winter.
- Honestly, I trust the tech about 90%... but that last 10% is what keeps me crawling through bushes looking for my backup.
- If you’re worried about batteries, some models have a hidden spot for a 9V battery jump—saved my bacon once.
- At least with the old locks, you never had to wonder if your door was smarter than you...
Has anyone actually had a keyless lock fail completely, like not just low battery but totally dead? I keep reading about the 9V battery trick, but I’m wondering if that’s reliable in the long run. Also, for those who’ve had these for a while—do you ever worry about the electronics getting messed up in a power surge or during storms? I’m still on the fence about trusting my front door to a circuit board...
I get where you’re coming from—putting your trust in a bunch of electronics for your front door feels weird at first. I haven’t had a total lock failure yet, but I did have one instance where the keypad just wouldn’t respond after a storm. Turned out the batteries had corroded a bit faster than expected, probably from humidity. The 9V battery trick worked, but it was kind of finicky—took a couple tries to get the contacts lined up right.
As for power surges, most battery-powered keyless locks aren’t directly tied to your home’s electrical system, so they’re not as vulnerable as, say, a smart thermostat. Still, I’d recommend checking if your model has any surge protection or weatherproofing. I also keep a physical key hidden outside just in case. Not the most high-tech solution, but it’s saved me once when the electronics glitched after a cold snap.
If you’re worried about reliability, maybe look for models with manual key overrides and check reviews for long-term durability. It’s not perfect, but with a few precautions, I’ve found it pretty convenient so far.
Definitely agree on the manual override being a must-have. I’ve swapped out a bunch of locks in my flips and learned a few things the hard way:
- Battery life is all over the place depending on the brand and how often you use the lock. Some chew through AAs in a few months, others last a year.
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Yeah, that emergency 9V port is handy in theory, but in practice it’s not always smooth. I’ve had one where the contacts were so recessed, you basically needed three hands.“The 9V battery trick worked, but it was kind of finicky—took a couple tries to get the contacts lined up right.”
- Humidity and temperature swings are rough on electronics. I’ve started using those little silica gel packs inside the battery compartment—seems to help with corrosion.
- Not all models are equally weatherproof. Some say “weather resistant” but then you open them up and there’s barely any gasket.
I do think hiding a key outside is still smart, even if it feels old school. Tech fails sometimes, especially when you least expect it. Just don’t use one of those obvious fake rocks...
