Electronic lock for storage area

[Malthouse]

I am just putting the finishing touches to a low cost electronically locked storage area, thought it might be of interest...

The sneaky bit that I am quite proud of is the controller, which uses RFID key fobs. Because this is contactless it means I have been able to hide the controller and still be able to unlock the door. The controller was picked up on eBay for a tenner and that included fobs.

The lock I used was one that requires 12v to remain locked, I have it backed up by a battery. But will probably change it to a non-maintained one at some point as the installation is not super neat. The lock cost less than 20 quid.

All in all it means that some of the preps I have are kept away from prying eyes, it is not a bank vault but is enough to slow someone down or deter them. The hidden control panel and wireless access mean there is nothing to attract anyone to the store.

[KrisWard]

Brilliant, I like your thinking..I can just image then trying to break in, and looking at each other "wheres the lock"

Stay safe

Kris

[Rearfang]

Did you use a fail secure or fail release
Just thinking if fail secure and power and back up dies with no key override could cause a prob

[Yorkshire Andy]

have you used a mag lock?

[Malthouse]

I used a solenoid lock that opens when the backup battery runs out, but only after umming and arring for a while about which way to go. I did look at magnetic locks, but decided they are too bulky and power hungry for what I needed.

It is likely that I will change to a solenoid lock that fails locked, because I know how to over ride it if need be and indeed could force it if I really had to.

There are bluetooth controllers out there, that I might play with one day if I spot one cheap enough.

[m89r]

Sounds good, i install bits like that.

Theres other possibilities for expansion with that also, you could wire in a contact sensor that sounds an alarm if the door is opened without the lock being used. Say if someone did force it open, have some sound bombs at ear level