Good points all around. I've had mixed feelings about solar-powered keypads myself. Installed one for a client last summer, and while it mostly worked fine, we ran into similar sluggishness after a stretch of cloudy weather. Ended up adding a small battery backup just to be safe—kind of defeats the purpose of going fully solar, but better than getting locked out.
Also, about the worn numbers—I've noticed the same thing. My "1" and "7" are practically invisible now. I've started rotating codes every few months to spread out the wear, but honestly, it's a hassle remembering new combos each time. Maybe manufacturers should consider more durable materials or coatings?
And totally agree on rechargeable batteries. Learned the hard way that not all rechargeables are created equal. Now I always check voltage and compatibility specs before recommending them to anyone.
Good call on the physical backup key too. I keep mine tucked away in a discreet spot in the garden shed... learned that lesson after an embarrassing lockout incident during a thunderstorm. Glad I'm not alone in these keypad adventures!
Interesting experiences shared here. I've actually had pretty good luck with solar-powered keypads, even in cloudy climates. The trick, I've found, is positioning the panel carefully—sometimes just shifting it slightly can make a huge difference. Also, instead of rotating codes frequently (which I agree is a hassle), I opted for a keypad with touch-sensitive buttons rather than physical ones. No worn numbers yet after two years... might be worth considering if you're tired of memorizing new codes all the time.
- Good tip on the solar panel positioning, hadn't thought of that. I recently installed a keypad with backlit numbers, thinking it'd be easier at night. Turns out, the glow attracts bugs like crazy... not exactly the welcoming committee I had in mind.
- Might try your touch-sensitive idea next time—sounds sleek and practical. For now, I've resorted to a tiny LED strip above the keypad instead. Less buggy and still easy to see.
Good call on the LED strip above the keypad—sounds like a solid workaround. I ran into something kinda similar when I put in some deck lighting last summer. Thought those bright white LEDs would look crisp and modern, but nope... instant bug magnet. Switched them out for warmer, amber-colored lights and noticed way fewer bugs hovering around. Might be worth trying a softer or warmer LED color if you still see some unwanted guests hanging around.
Also curious how that touch-sensitive keypad holds up in different weather conditions. It sounds sleek, but I always wonder if rain or snow messes with sensitivity. Keep us posted if you end up going that route—I'm planning my next project soon and could use all the tips I can get.
I've had a touch-sensitive keypad installed for about two years now, and here's what I've noticed:
- Rain doesn't seem to bother it much at all—still responsive even in heavy downpours.
- Snow and ice can be trickier. Had a couple mornings last winter where I needed to brush off ice buildup before it registered my touch.
- Agree on the amber LEDs. Switched mine out too, and bugs dropped significantly.
Overall, it's held up pretty well, just gotta keep an eye on ice accumulation during colder months.
