Knock-detecting locks

[wylk]

Some of you might be familiar with the S&G "Pulsetronic" safe lock which detected a series of "knocks" from a keypad. It was nice because the door did not need a spindle hole (but still needed a hole for the boltwork handle). S&G marketed these from about 2000 to maybe 2005 then quietly dropped them. The locks are still made but not marketed aggressively (and not by S&G).

The reason for this post is that a few people have re-invented this in a DIY/kluge manner and posted videos on YouTube. Do a search for "secret knock detecting" (without the quotes).

[Tom Gordon]

I thought that it would be a great way to retrofit a more secure type of locking on antique safes, that is practical to use and entirely hidden - shame about it's reliability.

[BBE]

I think the reliability problem was a result if the safe door being insulated would muffle the knock and the lock wouldn't operate since it misinterpreted the knock. An Isreali product that is still sold today but for door lock applications and typically the lock is installed on the jamb. Look for Knock-n-Lock or PulseCode.
BBE.

I thought that it would be a great way to retrofit a more secure type of locking on antique safes, that is practical to use and entirely hidden - shame about it's reliability.

[Doug MacQueen]

More secure? I thought the older English keylocks were secure. Anyway, I didn't pick up a "Knock" lock when they came out but I do have a brand new "Scrambler". Interested? And I know I have that S&G ad somewhere. The problem is where. Doug

[wylk]

Here is an inside look at a Pulsetronic keypad. Unfortunately, S&G's official position was that when the battery runs down, the customer needs to buy a new keypad. The battery is not field-serviceable. It's made from two CR123A batteries in series, encased in heat-shrink plastic (twice), possibly spot-welded together, with solder tabs (also likely spot-welded) and wires that solder to the printed circuit board. No wonder they didn't want anybody attempting a repair but it seems a poor design to have disallowed battery replacement (unlike the lock itself, which does seem to allow it).

Does anybody have any idea where else to get such a battery assembly?



This one has in fact been opened and repaired in the past.

[chubbbramah]

There are some key locks from the 13C still in service and functioning, though few modern buildings will last that many centuries, so perhaps their locks do not need to either.
Some folk take a jaundiced view of locks which need a new battery every few months though.

[wylk]

Master Lock is selling these as door locks, see Master Lock® PulseCode - Home

[Tom Gordon]

Keylocks have their advantages (well we tend to think this, over here), but it can often be VERY useful to have key and com together.
Maybe you are having a safetech challenge at a lock show when it would be fun to have a "secret" additional lock fitted.
Relevent to people here though, if you have a beautiful antique safe, which is minus it's uniquely footprinted lock or never had a decent lock fitted originally, this is another situation where this lock would be great.

[Dean Nickel]

I had two of the S&G locks on my safe. I got one for the safe and one as backup. For a few years it was ok and then the first one failed. Got it open and fitted the second one. There wasn't anything on the door but steel so sound getting thru wasn't a problem. The computer just failed. I still think it is a good idea but it needs to be worked with better electronics.

[wylk]

I still think it is a good idea but it needs to be worked with better electronics.

This is why I'm skeptical and old-fashioned about locks. I prefer mechanical ones, though I have an X-07 on a display stand (and only for display). I tell people "electronic locks have no soul".