Convert lock from key operated to combination?

[GB]

We have a night latch - one of these:

What is the best way (ie easiest, not necessarily cheapest) to convert this to combination lock?

[Harry Bloomfield]

GB wrote on 31/05/2018 :

The easiest way, is to use an electric one. You would need to replace the part which fixes onto the door frame (the latch ?), with a solenoid operated version, then add a suitable keypad and logic somewhere near the door.

I have one on the small side door of my garage. Which operates on 18v DC from memory. You can set it with 6 to 8 number /letter code entry, with four different user codes and a master code. So four different people could have their own different entry code, one person leaves the company, so just their code needs to be changed to a new one for a new person.

Type one of the correct codes in and power is applied to the latch to release it it hinge out of the way, but only for a preset few seconds when it re-locks. A normal Yale type key can also be used as usual.

I got fed up of needing a key to get into my garage/workshop, so added this instead. Now I just need to remember the entry code. I get in fine, if I do it without thinking, but struggle to remember the code if I think about it :-?

[Brian Gaff]

On a lock I often have to use on a charity rented room the keys are not in the standard keypad order and are in two rows, so trying to get in when you want to without sight can be a bit annoying to say the least! Brian

[Harry Bloomfield]

Mine has three rows across, four down. 1 to 9 plus A, 0, B at the bottom. I rely on muscle memory to press the right buttons, in the correct order.

[Brian Gaff]

Does it have a pip on the 5? Brian

[GB]

Surely, for you, the combination is something like:

Col 1, row 3 Col 2, row 5 etc

Unless you have a reader that can read out the legends on each key, what is written on them does not matter.

[GB]

I was hoping just to replace the cylinder with a combination version, but I suspect that that does not exist. Due to location, it needs to be mechanical.

Interesting, thanks.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Brian Gaff presented the following explanation :

Not that I have ever noticed, but I manage just fine even in the dark.

[Peter Parry]

You could fit a mechanical code lock such as

but they are significantly less secure than the lock you are replacing in that the 4 digit code can be entered in any order - so 1234 or 2431 etc will open the lock. Over time the 4 valid numbers tend to be easy to spot by deposits of dirt etc on the number pads. (All mechanical locks have this problem).

[dennis]

You would really like the ones that use an LCD touch pad and randomly arrange the numbers each time they are used.

[Richard]

A bit pricey, but this any use?

[GB]

Thanks, Richard. That does look like what I need. Shame it takes batteries, though.

[Handsome Jack]

ERA does a much cheaper version, about ?40 I think, available from All Good Hardware Shops. No batteries. You can get even cheaper Chinese ones on-line. They come as complete nightlatch kits but you can just fit the keypad mechanism over the external face of the old key cylinder.

[Peter Hill]

Mech locks can't have an increasingly longer wait between goes. Find a 4 ring combo padlock and see how long it takes to crack. So if its out of sight any scally have have a look round your gaff.

Why have any external pad? Use bluetooth/wireless and phone.

If it can work a lamp it can work a latch solenoid.

[aguerrier01]

replying to GB, aguerrier01 wrote: I am in the USA and I got a padlock Master model M176 ;I forgot the combination and I misplaced the key;how can you help to open it.

[Andy Burns]