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 have a U.S.SECURITY SAFE that has a SMARTGARD 9 user lock.
I got the combination for the smartgard lock which was the apparently original 123456 and the safe opened the safe when it was delivered.
However the safe is somehow in the time lock phase. So I had to wait 214 hours to open the safe. i down loaded the instructions for the smartgard and attempted to reprogram for a more reasonable time than 24 hours to open the safe.
The instructions say that setup or change features one has to press key A and than the factory-set combination 1-6-1-6-1-6-1-6. That does NOT work. It responds with invalid code.
Is there a way to reset the lock to the factory setting ?
If not, what would be a reasonable cost replacement for the smartgard. I like all the feature but if I can not reset the timelock that makes the unit not very usable.
Answer Michael,
The 16161616 is the program code that was originally set for your lock at the factory. If this code is no longer valid then you have lost the ability to program the lock. The A key allows the programmer to access the lock features. If you do not have an 8 digit code you will not be allowed to reprogram the lock.
The "O" key directly above the "A" key accesses the manager features. The manager has the ability to add and delete users, perform audit functions, and reset the clock for daylight savings.
One of your codes may be a manager code.
The time lock is not set for "#'s of hours". The time lock can be set for an open (unlock) and auto lock time (they all lock down at the same time). You can only unlock, perform manager functions and program functions during an "open window".
Your lock may also be programmed for "time delay". When you access the lock with one of your codes, you need to look at what the screen says. Does it say "time locked - access denied" or "time delay - access denied". It does make a difference.
In time delay you must enter your code, wait the delay period, enter your code again to open the safe.
You can continue to use the safe lock under the above conditions once you determine the perameters. You can also change your codes for more security, but that's about it.
The factory has discontinued this lock and is infact about 3 or 4 versions beyond it. They no longer support this lock. If you want to continue to use the safe and like the features that the lock should offer, the current replacement is the SmartLinc. It is the newer version with very similar features. Cost for the new lock is $760 (plus tax & shipping if applicable). If you cannot install or replace the new lock yourself you may need a safe technician to do it for you.
If you have any further questions concerning the lock or you wish to order a replacement let me know or contact me 1-800-326-4224.
