RACI Newsletter

Sentrilock Battery Replacement & Lockbox Clock (Back)

Published by Renee on Mar 18, 2009

How to Replace the Battery on SentriLock 

When the battery is low, the lockbox will alert the lockbox owner. When the lockbox owner  inserts their SentriCard® into the lockbox, it will flash the MESSAGE light 20 times. In addition, it will make a series of beeps. The lockbox will continue to operate with a low battery. However, it is imperative to replace the battery as soon as possible. The lockbox uses a lithium type 2CR5 battery. Contact the  RACI Office for a battery.

Do not remove the old battery until you have a replacement in hand. Also, do not carry unpackaged batteries in your pocket or purse as metal objects could cause a short circuit and thereby cause bodily injury or property damage.

When replacing the battery, it is important to remember the lockbox has a memory backup circuit that will retain the lockbox settings and timekeeping system while you replace the battery. This memory backup circuit will only operate for a few minutes after you remove the battery. The lockbox owner can use the following instructions to replace the battery.

  1. Before replacing the battery, you should lock the keypad. Insert your SentriCard® into the lockbox. When the lockbox displays the CODE light, enter your PIN and ENT.

  2. On the keypad, press FUNC + 6 + 7 + ENT to lock the keypad.

  3. To replace the battery, remove the new battery from its packaging and have it ready to install in the lockbox.

  4. Remove the two small screws that hold the battery cover on the back of the lockbox. The battery cover is easy to identify because it may have a white label affixed to it. You will need either a 5/64" hex / allen wrench or a T10 torx driver to remove the screws. SentriLock should have provided RACI with these tools.

     

  5. Once you remove the screws, you can remove the battery cover and access the 2CR5 type lithium battery. Observe the orientation of the old battery.

  6. To remove the battery, turn the lockbox face up. Tap the keypad side of the lockbox against the palm of your hand. This should dislodge the battery from the back of the lockbox. If the battery doesn't dislodge, tap the keypad side of the lockbox against a hard surface. Place the lockbox over a table before attempting to remove the battery. Do not let the battery fall to the ground. Be careful not to bend the battery contacts.

  7. To install the new battery, place it directly over the battery compartment and push it straight down into the compartment, as shown in the image below. Do not try to slide the battery into the opening. You could damage the battery contacts.

     

If you remove the battery for more than a few minutes; or if the battery runs down completely, you may need to set the lockbox clock.

How to Set the Lockbox Clock

The REALTOR® Lockbox system relies on the lockbox's clock to keep it synchronized with SentriLock Server. Keeping the lockbox and SentriLock Server synchronized insures that time-sensitive functions, such as Do Not Disturb, work properly. Normally you will not need to set the lockbox's clock. However, if you or a SentriLock Support Representative suspect that your lockbox's clock may be out of sync with the SentriLock Server, you can reset the clock. You may suspect that your lockbox is out of sync with the SentriLock Server if one or more of the following is true:

  • you replaced the battery in the lockbox. During the replacement process, the lockbox was without a battery for longer than a few minutes.

  • An Agent renewed their SentriCard®. The Agent inserts their SentriCard® into the lockbox and enters their PIN. The lockbox displays the CARD and ERROR lights. This usually indicates the Agent's SentriCard® is expired. However, the Agent just renewed their SentriCard®. The Status column on the SentriCards window displays the status of a SentriCard®. If a SentriCard® is expired, the Status column will display EXPIRED.

  • An Agent inserts their SentriCard® into a lockbox and it displays the DND light. The Agent is certain that they or the homeowner did not enter a Do Not Disturb code into the lockbox. In addition, the Agent is accessing the lockbox within the times allowed by the Access Time Matrix or Default Access Time Matrix windows.

To set the lockbox's clock, you must have the lockbox in your possession. As soon as you remove your SentriCard® from the card reader, you must insert it into the lockbox. Only the lockbox owner or their card team member can set the lockbox's clock. Lockbox owner's and card team members can use the following instructions to set a lockbox clock.

Note: if your Association uses RX series or R series lockboxes with firmware revision 3 or greater, you may be able to use the lockbox and your SentriCard® to set the lockbox's clock. For more information contract SentriLock Support. To find out what series and firmware revision your lockboxes use, see How to Determine Your Lockbox Series and Firmware Revision.

  1. Insert your SentriCard® into the card reader.

  2. The SentriLock Card Utility resides in the System Tray on your computer. After you insert your SentriCard® into the card reader, the SentriLock Card Utility displays the Login window.

  3. The SentriLock Card Utility will detect your SentriLock ID and fill in the SentriLock ID field. Enter your password in the Password field and click Login.

  4. From the Card Functions pane, click Set Lockbox Clock.

  5. From the Set Lockbox Time window, click the serial number of the lockbox. Click Yes on the Local Lockbox Program message.

  6. The SentriLock Card Utility will display the Updating Card window. The SentriLock Card Utility will prompt you to remove your SentriCard® from the card reader and insert it into your lockbox.

  7. After you insert your SentriCard® into the lockbox, it will make a series of sounds. When it displays the CODE light, you have set the clock.

Update Battery Change Date in Your Inventory

Make sure you go online to Sentrilock and under Lockboxes find the serial neumber of the lockbox you changed the battery in and update the battery replacement date. This will help keep track of when and how often a battery is changed. Most batteries will last 3 years or more.

If you need help or have more questions contact Pam Markiewicz at RACI. Email Pam@RACI.org or call 1-866-657-7224.