Anyone use electromagnetic locks?

[icough2getoff]

I'm thinking about getting some of these for a cab but it just occurred to me that they might not work if you just unplugged the power supply going to the cab. Anyone who has used these locks know if there's a way around that?

 

[Grownz]

I personally don't think i'd trust them....
After a quick 2 min seach....Here's a link
http://www.www-magnetsmagnetics.com/electromagnetic-locks.html

 

[icough2getoff]

Hey Grownz. I think electro mags would be very safe from what I've heard except for the fact that if the power supply gets shut off, so do the magnets. you can get them in over 1000lbs of resistance, and I'm sure much less would be needed to safely secure a cab. Not to mention, they would be holding the doors shut tight so locks on the top and bottom should prevent any light leaks even if someone tried to pry the doors open just a bit.

I want a very stealthy cab, and the one I have now isn't as stealthy as I'd like it to be with a giant combo lock on the front of it. I'd rather have a cab that didn't draw any extra attention. I've tried Tot locks but they're weak. I may have to resort to a combo of electro mag locks and then use a tot lock as a backup if the power was shut off.

Hoping to hear from someone who has used electro mag locks or if anyone is knowledgeable on if there's a way around the locks becoming useless if someone was to unplug the power supply behind the cab. I guess I assume the only real option would be a backup power supply that would turn on if someone unplugged. Maybe I just answered my own question. If anyone has any other ideas or opinions on the subject please feel free to share

 

[Grownz]

Hey cough2getoff, I wouldn't trust them because of the power supply issue you mention. But i'd think the lock would just go into lock down if the power was cut. I'd hope anyway! Also, i'd be worried that it could be de-magnetized some how... Most of these work with a key from what i can gather, so it's always gonna be vunerable. Depends on the key type i suppose.

Although the more i think the more i can see advanges over alot of different systems. I'd like to know more, as i have no experience with these locks just what info i have gathered after reading the links i posted.

I think the best system is one that uses a variety of different locks and security devices. Maybe, Something that works so that a keyhole or lock can not be accessed from the outside would also be benifical?

Maybe a cardswipe system utilizing electro magnetic locks?

At the end of the day most wooden cab doors would probably be pursudaed open with a couple of axe shots no matter what lock system you have in place.

 

[icough2getoff]

yeah no keyholes or signs of a lock would be nice, that's exactly what I'm trying to go for. Then I think I'd like to take off the door handles. I doubt many people would put much effort into trying to open it without door handles.

I think the way I've read of them being used is having them plugged into a remote power switch, so you can have the key on your key chain or where ever else you want to hide it.

As far as the lock going into "lock down" mode, that would be exactly what I'd love to hear but from what I understand of electro mag locks they have to be charged with electricity to have their magnetism. If anyone knows for sure, I'd love to hear about it

 

[Grownz]

As far as the lock going into "lock down" mode, that would be exactly what I'd love to hear but from what I understand of electro mag locks they have to be charged with electricity to have their magnetism.

You're right i think.

 

[TokenBlackGuy]

I would have to go with the tot locks.. they are for little babies openin doors.. But a grown ass 230 lb man cant open it without the key.. TBG tested.. no electircity needed with these either..

tot locks can be found at kids r us

 

[screwdriver]

The electro locks I've encountered were in the lock postion with no power.
The only way to get the door unlocked was to use a key. When power is applied the strike (on the frame) moves, the bolt on the door is always sticking out. This would work easily for stealth box. No knob needed. I would think it would be expensive way to go unless you have one laying around. I like the tot proof cabinet locks that you place a magnet over the lock to open it. Completly hidden and hard to open until you find the right spot for the magnet.

 

[R00KIE]

ToT Loks FTMFW!!!!
I've used tot locks from the beginning...
Granted they are not incredibly strong but they hold the door shut, they are well hidden, and they work...
You can open the door with the locks locked, but it takes a good pull and you run the risk of breaking the wood they are attached to before you break the lock....
Mags would be a great idea if you could work out the kinks...

 

[icough2getoff]

Screwdriver, that's very interesting. I wonder if that's how all electro mag locks are. I've used tot locks but they didn't work as well as I'd like. I attached them to the shelf on the upper part of the cab and they do hold it fairly tight, but if I pull hard enough, the shelf bends enough to make the lock give. I'm sure for the average grower on a budget these would probably be the best option because they work well enough.

I'm looking to be able to hold the doors shut tight on the top and bottom because I had a bad experience where I had to chop down my grow because some chick tried to peek in there and saw a light leak somehow. Only way I can think of to prevent this in the future is to make it impossible to open even a little bit from the top and bottom. I'm sure the girl that tried to open it was curious because of the extra combo lock I had on the front that drew some extra attention. I'd like to get rid of that and still have it extra secure just for piece of mind.

 

[100outof100]

Sorry to dig this post back up but magnetic door locks can work in both ways. For some information I happen to know that door locks in schools are the way your looking for. They remain engaged in lock until you run a current threw the magnet which forces the magnet to seperate. If you have problems and can only get the magnets that lock with current, you can simply add a relay before the circuit to reverse it purpose.

Sorry, But hope that helps!

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Here you go, a thread with all the info that you need already with ideas of hook ups.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=39605

Using a ups (uninterruptible power supply), you can make it so it would stay locked for days even if you want. I also described of how you could make it so you can just press a button on a car remote looking thing to unlock your cab, or even hook it up and control it by a computer system like growtronix.

 

[screwdriver]

I'm no expert......but

I think it depends on the construction of door. The electro magnets up on the walls like in schools would work. Seems expensive. I know if I had use those..That person wouldn't be back! (Unless she was really good..uuuummm)

I was talking about an electric strike used on a standard door where the knob is. Still expensive.

What about a latch system from a metal storage cabinet. I have one that latches at the top and bottom and locks at the handle in the middle of the door. Hardware store should have something lke that cheap.

How much do you want to spend? If you are like to tinker...Solinoid coils are ectromagnets, fairly inexpensive. Mount some steel which will stiffen the door, hook up a switch and power(your choice AC DC). Don't know how much pull it would take to open. Would your cabinet door break before mags?

Hope this helps.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I haven't put them in yet, but I know that even if someone took an ax to my cabinet, they would end up getting my cab into a million pieces and those magnets still would not come apart until they killed the power source

 

[Guest]

Same here, this thing is heavy! I got the 600 lb lock. Hooking it up this weekend but be advised that the standard bracket that comes with the lock will mount on the front with the door opening inward. I bought the optional bracket for my door because the door swings open into the room I want locked and I want the magnet hidden so it needs to be mounted inside the room to be locked.

My understanding is the lock is disabled if the power is cut to the lock. I have a remote control plug that the magnet power supply will plug into. I was told be sure to get a 12V minimum 500mA power supply. I will be also getting a Lumatek digi ballast and if anyone out there is using a digi ballast with this kind of lock arrangement, I'd like to know if it works OK.

I am most concerned about having this room not show a lock so the magnet for my needs is good.