Install an electronic keypad entry lockset
1 of 3
Photo 1: Mount the keypad
Hold the keypad upright and slide the
battery cable over the top of the dead
bolt and the driver bar through the center
slot of the dead bolt.
2 of 3
Photo 2: Install the inside mounting plate
Pull the battery cable through, then
hold the keypad and the inside
mounting plate together while you
tighten the screws.
3 of 3
Photo 3: Connect the battery
Hook up the battery and snap it into
place, make sure the keypad and
inside plate are level, then screw on the
cover plate.
What with friends, contractors,
pet sitters and others,
it's easy to lose track of extra
house keys. For better control of who can
get in and out—and a permanent solution
to the lost-key problem with kids—replace one of your dead bolt locks with
an electronic keypad entry ($100 to $200
at home centers). Instead of using a key,
you just punch in a four-digit number, so
you don't have to worry about being
locked out. You can pick your own number
and change it anytime. You can also
program in additional four-digit codes
for visitors, then delete them later.
Start by removing the old dead bolt
(and the handle if you're replacing it). Set
the new dead bolt to match the existing
2-3/8-in. or 2-3/4-in. “backset” (measured
from the door edge to the center of the
dead bolt hole), then install it in the deadbolt
hole. Make sure that “TOP” is facing
up and that the bolt is fully retracted.
Install the outside keypad first (Photo
1), then secure it in place with the inside
mounting plate (Photo 2). Connect the
wires to the battery and tuck them out of
the way before attaching the inside cover
plate (Photo 3). (Note: We used a Schlage
lock; other manufacturers may have different
installation procedures.)
With the door open, check to make
sure the dead bolt extends and retracts
smoothly. If it doesn't, disassemble the
lock and make sure the parts were
installed correctly. To unlock the dead
bolt, just punch in the code and turn the
latch.
The lock we installed comes preprogrammed
with two unique user codes. To
change them or add more, follow the
lock's programming instructions.
The lock will send a signal when the
battery needs replacing. A key is also
included in case the lock ever malfunctions
or loses battery power and needs to
be opened manually. One big caution:
Don't lose the programming guide. It contains
the user codes, programming codes
and instructions for changing codes.
