July 2006

Hello

Our first DynaNews issue was a great success and well received. Thanks to everyone who responded with suggestions for future issues.

Speaking of suggestions, we pride ourselves here at DynaLock for being very responsive to product comments from the field. I once worked at a company where I had access to product installers who fed me all kinds of good information regarding product improvement. Every time I'd bring up an idea I'd hear "Good idea John, but not a home-run". Well, at DynaLock we think every good idea is a home-run. So in this issue, and in future issues, we will feature some of our product improvements. May not be home-runs, but I'll bet they are all hits!

P.S. Keep those ideas rolling in.
Anonymous Suggestion Box

Sincerely,
John L. Schum
Vice President of Sales, DynaLock Corporation

Tech Tips

Low Holding Force ... Lock Problem or Something Else?

Probably something else! We receive many calls that go something like this: "I've got a bad lock, it won't hold. I can bang against the door and pop it open." Well, we are glad to get the call because 99% of the time we can solve the problem over the phone. Here are the "fixes":

90% of the time it is the armature mounted wrong. Each lock is packed with the proper armature mounting hardware and instructions. The hardware is designed to allow the armature to flex slightly on the door. The flexibility is to allow the magnet to pull the armature tight up against its face. If the armature is mounted rigid against the door, the magnet is trying to overcome any imperfections or warpage of the door. This can greatly reduce holding force. We've actually had people weld the armature to a steel door! Sorry guys --- won't hold!!

5% of the time it's low voltage. Check the voltage right at the lock. Our locks are voltage selectable. Make sure you are not running 12 volts to a lock set for 24 volts. Other low voltage problems may be that the wiring is sized too small. This creates a voltage drop by the time power gets to the lock. Eleven volts at a 12 volt lock or 23 volts at a 24 volt lock you probably can live with. Anything lower is trouble. It is better to have the voltage at the lock a little higher than lower.

4% of the time it is foreign matter between the lock face and armature face. Magnetism hates air gap. Tape, paint, bird feathers ... we've had it all. Clean both faces with a non-abrasive cleaning pad, wipe with an oil dampened rag, and you should be back in business.

1% of the time ... ok, could be a bad lock. The good news is our magnets have a lifetime warranty. Send it back, we'll repair or replace - no questions asked.