RYTAN POWER INVERTER
Rytan has introduced their RY192 Power Inverter to change DC power to 110 volt AC at 60Hz. The 1000 watt, with 3000 watt surge power inverter has an over 90 percent efficiency rate with alarm and thermal shutdown. There are two AC output sockets.
The Rytan Inverter is 10-3/4” long by 5-1/2” wide by 2-1/4” tall. A safety circuit will automatically shut off the inverter if the batteries voltage drops to approximately 10.5 VDC. Rytan offers a 12-foot power cable to connect the battery to the inverter.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Rytan at www.rytan.com
HOME SECURITY UPDATE
Comcast Xfinity Home Security offers police and fire alarm protection systems that also include remote control of thermostats and lighting. Home monitoring is available with wireless cameras streaming video to data enabled cell phones. As of 06-07-2011, the service is available in Houston, Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Portland. For more information, visit www.xfinity.com/homesecurity
HIGH SECURITY AUTOMOTIVE KEY
Ford appears to be going to a “high security” side mill key as the 2012 Ford Escape will be using the same key as the 2011 Ford Fiesta and the 2012 Ford Focus. The STRATTEC part number for the 2012 Ford Escape IKT key blank is 5921707. The side mill equipped vehicles appear to be either a new or significant updated models. These side milled keys do not appear to have “HA” or “SA” stamped into the blade.
FYI
If you are servicing a fire rated opening, you cannot make modifications to the lock. For example, if you are installing a storeroom function and do not have the stock lock, you are not permitted to modify a different function lock. It would be better to delay the installation until you have the proper function lock.
TWO-PART DOOR
The photo accompanying this write-up is a Dutch (half) door having two lever locks. One lever lock secures the door from swing open. The second lever lock secures the upper half of the door to the lower half. This was an interesting choice of locks to secure the two halves.
WEB KEY BLANKS
There are many web sites that sell key blanks. The strange thing is usually people find products cheaper on the web than from a big box store. However, key blanks being sold on the web are often more expensive. And then add the cost and time of shipping the key blanks. It may be worth putting up a sign explaining the ups and downs of buying a key blank over the Internet.
JMA USA TPX4
JMA USA has introduced the TPX4 clonable transponder. This new transponder can be used to clone Phillips second generation encrypted transponders. This includes the (+) General Motors vehicles and the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles using the FOBIK Pod (Hybrid) transponder equipped key blank.
For a downloadable copy of the 2011 JMA North American Catalog, go to www.jmausa.com. Then go to download.
LCN 4040XP DOOR CLOSER
LCN has introduced the 4040XP, a redesigned door closer for today’s more demanding applications while keeping the same hole pattern as the standard 4040 closer. The 4040XP has a ¾” diameter bearing journal with ½” long bearings and gear teeth that provide an overall 44 percent increase in maximum load capacity. According to LCN the pinion V-Shield seal has 20 percent increased life. In addition, the 4040XP is compatible with all 4041 options and accessories.
The LCN 4040XP meets ADA requirements, UL & cUL Listed for self-closing doors without hold open, and certified under ANSI Standard A156.4, Grade one.
Packaging has been changed to reduce the time required to find parts, simplifying the installation process.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or LCN Closers, at 121 W. Railroad Ave., Princeton, IL 61356. Telephone: 800-526-2400. Web Site: www.lcn.ingersollrand.com.
BLANK KEY BLANKS
There are advantages of selling key blanks without part numbers. Today, a person can use a web search engine having a key blank part number and purchase the key blank online. Then he or she can take the key blank to a key cutter and have the key duplicated. In addition to offering key blanks for sale, one web site I found also offers transponder programming instructions.
Key blanks without part number are much more difficult to identify.
ILCO FOB JACKETS
Kaba Ilco has introduced “Jacket Auto Remote Covers™, silicone rubber covers that correctly fit over factory remotes and remote head keys. They are available in twenty styles to accommodate the different vehicle manufacturers. Each style is available in three color choices pink, blue or black.
There are covers for remotes, proximity remotes and integrated remote keyless entry. These include the Chrysler remote head and FOBIK keys, Ford IKT, Honda and Lexus. Remote covers are available Ford, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Nissan, Scion and Toyota.
The Jacket Auto Remote Covers are available individually, six of the same style and color, or one of three starter assortments. The assortments range from 30 to 60 covers.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Kaba Ilco Corp., at 400 Jeffreys Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Telephone: 800-334-1381. Web Site: www.kaba-ilco.com.
STAY SAFE
Doors cause more than 250,000 injuries every year. Don’t become a statistic.
CORRECTION
In my May column, I wrote that the “JMA USA TP20MAZ-20D.P2 can be used with the 2004 or later introduction Mazda 2, 3, 5, 6, CX-7, CX-9, Miata and RX8. At this time, no other aftermarket key blank manufacturer offers this transponder equipped key blank.” According to Jet Hardware, the MZ34-PHT will work with the Mazda 6 2003-on, Mazda 3, Mazda 5, MX-5 Miata 2006-on, CX-7, CX-9 2007-on and the RX-8 2004-on,.
CAR-OPENING TECHNIQUES: 2005-up Chevrolet Corvette 2003-09 Cadillac XLR
This month we will offer recommended car-opening techniques for the 2005-up Chevrolet Corvette and the 2003-09 Cadillac XLR. This Corvette and the XLR were chosen because of the many different methods of entry developed by the car opening tool manufacturers.
IMPORTANT: Some of the later model vehicles are equipped with laminated glass and indexing windows. I strongly recommend not using car opening tools on these vehicles.
Both the 2005-up Chevrolet Corvette and the 2003-09 Cadillac XLR are keyless. All locking functions are electronic, controlled by the remote. The door latch is not in the door, it is mounted into the frame of these cars. To unlock and open a door from in the passenger compartment, there are two different buttons that must be pressed. The first is the lock/unlock button. Once the door is unlocked, the door release button is pressed and the door can then be opened. There also is a special mechanical lock that can provide access into either the trunk (XLR) or passenger compartment (Corvette). The emergency keys are designed to accommodate only number two or deeper depths of cut.
If the battery is dead, entry can only be gained by using the mechanical lock. The 2005-up Chevrolet Corvette mechanical lock is located above the left license plate light at the rear of the vehicle. The 2003-09 Cadillac XLR mechanical lock is located on the left side of the rear bumper behind a removable access panel. It appears to be similar to the plastic plug used for a tow hook.
Once the Corvette lock has been manipulated, there is access into the passenger compartment. There is a cable behind panels just to the rear of the driver and passengers’ doors. Tilting the seatback forward may make it easier to gain access to the panel. Open the panel and pull on the cable to open the door.
Once the XLR lock has been manipulated, there is access into the trunk. The trunk lid is electronically operated open and closed. When the battery is dead, you must pull up on the lid overriding the motor that normally opens it. This requires a great deal of effort.
There is a cable behind the panel on the left side of the trunk. Pulling the cable will open the driver’s door and the fuel filler door.
Important: Do not manually close the Cadillac XLR trunk. The trunk lid is designed specifically to only be opened and closed electronically. There is a blue button mounted into the trunk lid to close it. Once the vehicle has been opened, have the vehicle owner take care of the dead battery in order to electronically close the trunk lid.
Caution: Use extreme care when in contact with the window glass as the slightest scrape may result in the glass breaking.
Warning: This vehicle is equipped with multi-layer weather stripping at the base of the windows.
The following opening methods are offered in order to unlock the 2005-up Chevrolet Corvette and the 2003-09 Cadillac XLR:
Use the High Tech Tools Long John LJ Tool to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Insert wedge along the vertical edge towards the top of the window glass. Insert the LJ Tool through the opening created along the rear edge of the window glass using a weather stripping protector. Slide the tool into the passenger compartment and hook the passenger door electric lock-unlock button. Position the tip of the tool at the top of the lock-unlock button and gently push to avoid scratching the plastic button. This allows the inside door handle to open the door.
Position the tip of the tool against the door release button (round button) above the passenger trim panel armrest. Push the button to open the door.
Use the Pro-Lok AO-42 “Long Reach Tool”, a tool sleeve and an inflatable wedge to unlock the passenger’s door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge five inches from the top edge of the driver’s door window. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s specifications. Insert the sleeve at the top edge in order to protect the surrounding area.
Insert the “L” end of the AO-42 car-opening tool through the sleeve and into the passenger compartment with the tip pointing down. Slide the tool into the passenger compartment 60 inches until the tip contacts the passenger door electric lock-unlock button. Seat the tip of the tool at the top of the button and push gently. This allows the inside door handle to open the door.
Position the tip of the tool against the door release button (round button) above the passenger trim panel armrest. Push the button to open the door.
Use the Slide Lock AutoBuster III car-opening tool to unlock the passenger’s door locking mechanism. The AutoBuster III car opening tool requires two wedges forward and rearward of the inside door lock-unlock button and door release button, an opening large enough for the AutoBuster III tool to enter. Insert the AutoBuster III tool into the door cavity until the bend is beneath the bottom of the window. Remove the wedges. Rotate the tool until the bend is on the passenger side of the window. Carefully raise the tool until the tip is visible. Manipulate the tool until the tip is directly in front of the electric lock-unlock button. Position the tip of the tool at the top of the button. Gently push the button to unlock the door locking mechanism. Position the tip of the tool against the door release button (round button) on the passenger trim panel above the armrest. Pushing the button will open the door.
Carefully remove the tool according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Use the Steck Manufacturing BigEasy “Glo” and a wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge or inflatable wedge into the top corner of the door. Once the door has been wedged out, insert the BigEasy tool into the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool to position the ninety degree bend tip contacts the passenger door electric lock-unlock button. Seat the tip of the tool at the top of the button and push gently. This allows the inside door handle to open the door.
Position the tip of the tool against the door release button (round button) above the passenger trim panel armrest. Push the button to open the door.
The Tech-Train Productions method is to manipulate the mechanical lock. Depending upon the year, the mechanical lock will either be a 75 or 93 groove. Picking, try-out keys or key decoders can be used. When picking, push in with the tip of the pick and use light turning pressure as the Corvette and XLR locks are probably equipped with a clutch mechanism. Once the hatch or trunk lid is open, pull the cable to open the door.
For more information on these car-opening tools, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers.
High Tech Tools, 1628 NW 28th St., Miami, FL 33142. Telephone: 1-800-323-8324. Fax: 305-635-1015. Website: www.hightechtools.com.
Pro-Lok, 655 North Hariton Street, Orange, CA 92868. Telephone: 714-633-0681. Fax: 714-633-0470. Website: www.pro-lok.com.
Slide Lock Tool Co. Inc., 1166 Topside Rd., Louisville, TN 37777. Telephone: 800-336-8812 .Website: www.z-tool.com.
Steck Manufacturing Company, Inc., 1115 S. Broadway, Dayton, OH 45408. Telephone: 800-227-8325. Web Site: www.steckmfg.com
Lockmasters Inc., 2101 John C. Watts Drive, Nicholasville, KY 40356. Telephone: 800-654-0637. Fax: 859-885-7093. Website: www.lockmasters.com.
We are interested in printing opening methods from other car-opening tool manufacturers. To have your instructions published, contact Jerry Levine C/O Locksmith Ledger, 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Fax: 847-454-2759.
