GUNVAULT Single gun safe

Any of you guys have one of these? I have the model that uses 8 AA batteries only, no external power. It virtually eats batteries, I have to change them every 3 weeks it seems. Is this normal? Would using the key to unlock it for normal access instead of the keypad extend the life of the batteries?

What brand / model do you have? I don't have one yet but am planning on getting one.

I have one. Batteries last for years.

Mine is not lighted but uses 8 AA batteries as I recall.

The only thing I can recomend is use rechargable batteries. I get my low self discharge batteries form a vendor on FLea bay called
bear wobble. These are as good as Enloops, and cost less. This won't fix your problem, but it will save you money in batteries.

Paul

NRA_guy wrote:I have one. Batteries last for years.

Mine is not lighted but uses 8 AA batteries as I recall.

Mine does not have a light either. Do you mostly use your key to open it, or do you use the push buttons? I wish my batteries lasted for even 3 months much less years.

CAJNFRND wrote:What brand / model do you have? I don't have one yet but am planning on getting one.

Its the GUNVAULT brand, single gun safe without the light inside, no external power. I think the AC powered one with Battery backup would have been the way to go.

I have one and have yet to change out the batteries (bought around Christamas). However, I only open it every few weeks.

Boudreaux wrote:

NRA_guy wrote:I have one. Batteries last for years.

Mine is not lighted but uses 8 AA batteries as I recall.

Mine does not have a light either. Do you mostly use your key to open it, or do you use the push buttons? I wish my batteries lasted for even 3 months much less years.

Nope. I have the key but never use it.

But I don't open it but maybe every 2 or 3 months. It's my night stand gun (H&K USP Compact .45 with a rail-mounted light.)

I have had the safe about 5 years bought used from a guy in Texas on GlockTalk.

You might have a partial short in there that is draining the batteries. Don't own one but check where your battery connections are and the dial pad. One wire/connection touching the frame will drain batteries. I am assuming that you have used batteries from different packs, i.e., you don't have one of those 24 battery mega packs and all of them are bad. You are using alkaliene or better and not the old style batteries? The power you are using for the dial pad and lock should last a year at least with 8. Lastly, they are not mixed batteries. Let us know what you find.

sidroski wrote:You might have a partial short in there that is draining the batteries. Don't own one but check where your battery connections are and the dial pad. One wire/connection touching the frame will drain batteries. I am assuming that you have used batteries from different packs, i.e., you don't have one of those 24 battery mega packs and all of them are bad. You are using alkaliene or better and not the old style batteries? The power you are using for the dial pad and lock should last a year at least with 8. Lastly, they are not mixed batteries. Let us know what you find.

I still need to check for shorts and am using batteries from a new/different pack this time. First 2 times were coppertops, this time it's energizer max line up. No mixing of batteries.

It doesn't make sense to me but the cam testing people detest duracell and energizers, they only use rayovac. They are cheaper and test out better than the name brands.

You can check the current draw with a DC ammeter (with the batteries installed) or the resistance (with batteries removed) of the circuit and get an idea of what's going on.

I am not sure what the numbers should be. I might be able to check mine for comparison purposes or the manufacturer might give you the specs.

You also can check each battery's voltage before installing them. New, they should be around 1.55 V.

Sounds like something is wrong with yours. I have the battery only version, have owned it for about 2 years, and have only had to change the batteries out once.

Have you contacted the manufacturer?

I have the gunvault 2000 deluxe. It takes batteries and has the external plug. I've been contemplating getting one for my kitchen. In mine right now I have a FNP 45 w/ 2 extra 14 rd mags, a Taurus PT 145 w/ extra 10 rd mag, a keltec pf9, and a browning buckmark w/ extra 10rd mag. All are in holsters except the fnp. I also have 4 lights in there too. Quick keystrokes with my fingertips, and the door snaps open, light comes on. I love it.

i have the gunvault microvault. batteries last forever because the keypad sucks and is broken... ok i am just tough on it, but it is still broken... so i use the key to get into it...

NotUndeadYet wrote:Have you contacted the manufacturer?

Nope, great idea Imma do that.

If you have and know how to use a volt/ohm/amp (multimeter), get all your readings for resistance and voltage drops when you call. If you don't have one but can borrow it, I can tell you where to get your readings. Believe it or not (most people who have heard me talk won't), I taught entry level College Electronic classes out at Hinds at night for 4 semesters until our regular job area got too big for me to get to classes. Guy who hired me would fill in the last semester the 2-3 times I was not able to get there and it wasn't fair to him. I told him to get someone who could be. Fun job though. PM me if I can help, I love troubleshooting.

OK its been a roughly a month since I changed the batteries and....it's dead again. Voltage of the battery pack is 9.21 VDC when disconnected and 9.11 VDC when connected(.1 volt drop seems accetable). Resistance across battery connection is zero. I am not sure if there is excessive draw when the mechanisim is energized or what, but this is a pain. I am contacting the manufacturer today and will let ya'll know what they say.

Contacted GUNVAULT via their webchat, check it out.

Frank M (11:35:12 AM) : Thank you for contacting CannonSafe/GunVault how may i assist you?
Boudreaux : I have a minivault and the batteries last approximately 4 weeks, is this normal?
Frank M : what is the serial number and manufacturing date on it
Frank M : you can find it under the lower foam padding!!!!
Boudreaux : s/n: 1KS11014095 Manfactured MARCH 2011
Frank M : yeah i know what the problem was
Frank M : please provide me with your shiping address
Frank M : full name
Boudreaux : xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boudreaux : xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Boudreaux : xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Frank M : thanks
Frank M : email address
Boudreaux : xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Frank M : what im going to do is create a rma to send you a new gunvault the vaults that were manufactured by march are defective
Frank M : so ill send you a working one
Frank M : and after you get that you can send us the defective safe back
Boudreaux : great
Frank M : ok ill send you a email by the end of my shift
Boudreaux : Thanks alot Frank

Works for me.