AboutTerry Andreasen (Andy) Expertise Safe and Vault related Questions;
Antique Safe Repair and Restoration;
With over 37 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer.
Current Project: Restoration of three, 36 ton steel vault doors and drop floors, in the old Federal Reserve Building, San Francisco.
Experience 37 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute.
Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing.
Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf
Organizations SafeCrackers International
Education/Credentials Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985
Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985
Awards and Honors Retired US Army, with many decorations and awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Op Iraqi Freedom.
Past/Present Clients Secret Service, FBI, Dept. of Homeland Defense, US Army, US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Lawerence Livermore National Lab, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, various local banks, credit unions, state agencies, Jewelers, and many commercial and residential customers.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
Question I bought large Champion safe with a LG lock 17 months ago and the key pad battery died. after replacing the battery with a duracell 2013 it still would not open. I had to get a master code from the factory, it did open. My 1st question is where can I get a regular tumbler replacement lock? I'm a airline mechanic of 22 yrs with lots of tools and experience. My 2nd question is I entered this code that's nothing like my code and it opened, wouldn't any half decent house burgler know this code off the top of head?
Thanks Boomer
Answer Robert,
The locks do not come from the factory with an override code. This is something that can be programmed in by the safe company when they install the lock on their safe. Not all safe companies set the locks up with an override code.
Actually, it is not an override code. The lock has the capability of two codes a manager or supervisor code and a subordinate code. It can be set for dual custody where both codes are required, or it can have time delay and a time delay override code (armored car companies are not going to sit around and wait for your time delay).
What happens is most customers only want or need one code, the factory programs in the second code, for your protection incase you lose your code, lock it in the safe or make a mistake while changing your code. This happens litterally 100's of times per day. The fact that the factory has the ability to help a customer will save the customer from $350-$650 to have the safe opened and repaired.
It is not a standard practice and varies from safe company to safe company and in most cases, the override or backup code is random and is or may be tied to the serial number of the lock or safe.
Since there are no "decent" burglars (that's why the prisons are full of these wanta-be's) a random code that may or may not be present isn't something that you have to worry about.
If you want to replace your lock with a mechanical lock you can use either the LaGard 3390 lock, with a 1777 dial & ring (about $90) or an S&G 6730-100 lock, dial & ring (about $150).
I don't recommend your installing these yourself for a couple of reasons.
1. Incorrect installation, or a mistake in setting the combination may result in a lock out which can be expensive to open and repair.
2. Installation by other than a trained locksmith or safe technician, voids the locks warranty.
Other than that let me know what you want, I have most locks in stock and can ship them immediately.
