I have the Schlage lock Camelot. Using Rboy. All of a sudden it is not auto locking. In the “recent” it shows the command was sent. I don’t even know where to start to troubleshoot. Advice please
figured it out… was a low battery
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I was just going to suggest that.
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My schlage locks always have trouble after a few months. Despite being close to repeaters my farthest lock always ends up not responding or reporting. Battery change always helps. I just keep a big stock of AA and expect to change them every three-four months.
@RBoy had previously recommended these batteries based on his own research:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DC4EL/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I can confirm they last a lot longer than standard alkaline batteries. You may want to try them.
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Interesting…i thought the instructions that came with the lock said not to use those…
I think the lock says not to use rechargeable batteries because their operating voltage is too low and these locks need at least 1.35v to 1.5v operating voltage. Note that these are Lithium and not Lithium Ion batteries, different voltages.
See this voltage curve for a comparison between the various batteries. You’ll notice the issue with the NiMH batteries and even alkaline batteries. The voltage drops rather quickly and which causes issues with lock operation.
Oh, I did not realize there was a difference between Lithium and Lithium ion. thanks
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I’ve had good luck ( well over a year on the lock closest ( +/- 20’ ) to hub, 3-6 months in lock at the other side of the house with the Duracell Quantum. $20 for 36 pack at Sam’s club. Almost 3 years and counting in the GoControl/Monoprice ZW PIRs & Contact sensors
Had to look this up as I’m using rechargeables in my Schlage locks. The manual does indeed say that “lithium batteries may cause undesirable operation.” I don’t see anything about rechargeables. I’ve been using Eneloops in mine and they seem to work well.
The “undesirable operation” is due to voltage.
Regular (Non-Rechargeable) Alkaline Batteries have a starting voltage of about 1.5V (sometimes up to 1.6V) and have a near linear slide down discharge rate, but can last for over 1.3V for quite a while.
Most (I SAID MOST, NOT ALL) Rechargeable Batteries have a lower starting voltage of about 1.3V (sometimes up to 1.4V and have a nominal discharge rate which usually stays even of about 1.2V.
Big deal, why does this matter? You have 4 batteries (in series), so multiply that by 4. 4x Alkaline Batteries can provide 6V out of the gate, and provide well above 5.2V for a long time. 4x Rechargeable Batteries can really only provide 5.5V right out of the gate and quickly only provide 4.8V for the most of their life.
If the Schlage lock requires (this is AN EXAMPLE) 5V to work at all, or 5.2V to unlock via Z-Wave, then Rechargeables will not last long.
Here’s a graph for the visual learners. The tolerances are more pronounced at 4x.
Batteries have gotten better in the last few years, and Eneloops are pretty much awesome. I stick with name-brand non-rechargeables and cycle through them every 3 months (for full Z-Wave use). Your mileage may vary.