GunVault problems

badgerw · Post by **badgerw** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:30 pm

In February I purchased a GunVault pistol storage box. When I set it up, I installed Eveready lithium AA batteries.

I open and close it two or three times a day. Call it 300 cycles since I installed the batteries. According to the manual, alkaline batteries should last a year.

A few days ago it refused to open. When I press the buttons with my code, I hear a click. However, the spring-loaded door doesn't release.

I have the manual. Nothing in it to deal with this situation.

Some people have reported short battery life with their GunVaults. That's why I put in lithium cells.

Yes, I have kids at home. Although I've trained them, my 6-year-old daughter may have some sort of disorder. She is impulsive beyond anything I've seen. Bottom line: I don't trust her to follow any rule I've laid down for her.

My dear wife found the key. I was able to open the box.

I tried my combination again after I'd opened the box. No-Go. I tried changing it. No-Go.

I replaced the Eveready lithium AAs with Duracell alkalines. It worked once, then reverted to not opening.

I called GunVault's tech support line. I explained that I'd originally installed lithium cells.

The tech rep told me lithiums would burn out the electronics. I told him it had worked for four months, then failed.

He told me to replace them with alkaline cells. I told him I had done so yesterday. The lock worked once, then quit.

He told me to check the expiration date of the batteries. I looked and told him they were Oct 2012. He said I needed cells dated 2013 or 2014.

He also told me that each programming step had to be completed in 5 seconds or less. No, that feature is not covered in the documentation.

So I'm going to buy 8 Duracells dated 2013 or 14. I'll try one more time. If this fails, I'm going to junk this poorly-designed POS and get something else.

One of those mechanical locks is looking good right now. Stay tuned.

Bill

HighVelocity · Post by **HighVelocity** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:02 pm

A good battery is a good battery. I call bull on the "must be dated at least 2013" line. That's rediculous.

Based on the way your were treated by customer service I'd already be looking for a replacement, not trying to fix it.

spud · Post by **spud** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:05 pm

Good, read. Sorry about your issues, but that really makes me think twice about going and buying one. Was going to get one this weekend.

Has anyone else had this or other issues as I will be using mine 3-4 times a day as well.

Sorry about the issues man and I hope it was a one time deal and it gets taken care of. Just seeing if it is worth my investment. Dont need something breaking down in a time of need.

oilman · Post by **oilman** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:53 am

Have had one for 2 years. No issues at all but I do not open 2-3 times a day. Has been a good solid product for me.

If lithium burns out the electronics then they will stay burned out even if you replace with alkaline.....

Syntax360 · Post by **Syntax360** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:53 am

I have had my GunVault Multi Deluxe for about a year now. I always open it once in the morning and once at night. Usually once or twice more during the course of the day. I haven't had any problems at all. The only thing I don't like about the safe is that you have to really press those buttons hard, or it won't catch an entry or two and the vault won't open. That was pretty annoying when I first got the safe. However, the top of my safe is not visible from where I access it, so I can't see the little LED that acknowledges keypresses. That would help too.

On the plus side, the safe comfortably holds 5 pistols. Definitely more than I ever planned on keeping in it.

Overall, I'm satisfied.

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:00 am

Welcome aboard Syntax. Give us an intro in the General Gun Section under Introduce yourself. You will get a lot of welcomes & we will get acquainted real fast. Have a great day.

txinvestigator · Post by **txinvestigator** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:20 am

The composition of a battery only effects its life. Lithiums do not "burn out electronics". How absurd. The company rep was clearly trying to keep from having to replace the unit.

Expiration dates on batteries mean nothing either, as long as they have the proper voltage.

I would call back and demand satisfaction. They are listed with the BBB, so you could also complain there.

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:40 am

I've had 2 gunvaults for around 5 years now. I use alkaline batteries... and I'm still on my original batteries. They both work great.

I suspect that tech support is correct. Not all products can handle lithium batteries. If they say the Gunvault won't handle them, I believe them.

I know it's pretty tempting to use lithium batteries in everything, but before you use lithium batteries in something you should check product manual. The manual will say if it's okay to use them in the product.

Either your gunvault is defective or there was some damage to the unit (ie lithium batteries).

"AA Lithium battery 's initial voltage is 1.82V , once current loaded, the voltage will drop to 1.5V. If your device can not accept 1.8V voltage, you can not use the battery ."

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?P ... rodID=1506

John · Post by **John** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 2:06 pm

oilman wrote:Have had one for 2 years. No issues at all but I do not open 2-3 times a day. Has been a good solid product for me.

ditto... no problems here either and I've had mine five years or so. I did need to open it quickly one night and as someone else mentioned, you have to hit those buttons pretty hard. Took two attempts one time and that was a little irritating. Now I just make sure that i press the keys firmly.

spud · Post by **spud** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 2:45 pm

Well its good to see that everyone else is having no problems with it. Sorry you got one from a bad batch. Good luck man.