The “Jumpbox” from Lockmasters, Inc. is one of those tools that will make you say, “Now, why didn’t I think of that!?” The concept is amazingly simple, but the execution is ingenious and elegant. According to Lockmasters, this single tool can eliminate the “need to drill” for 70 percent of malfunctioning electronic safe locks. Simply put, the Jumpbox supplies a boost in power for almost any electronic safe lock that is sufficient to free stalled motors, sticking bolts, cross-threaded drive bolts, binding slides, stalled solenoids, and assists in diagnosing and trouble-shooting defective keypads and damaged keypad cables.
What Is It?
When the Jumpbox arrives, it will be in a box that carries a warning label about the included high output lithium batteries. The battery pack is a six cell lithium power pack that has a shelf life of over 10 years. In normal usage, the battery pack should last for years, as long as you remember to turn the unit off after you use it. The instructions are very clear that leaving the unit turned on for several days will deplete the battery pack and that is NOT covered under the warranty.
The on/off switch on the Jumpbox has a raises plastic shield around it to prevent it from being turned on accidentally. A green LED in the on/off switch indicates when the unit is turned on. If it is accidentally left on for a few days the battery pack will be depleted and have to be replaced.
In normal usage, the unit is attached to the nine-volt battery connection found on the outside of the safe in or on the keypad. The back of the Jumpbox has a strong magnetic pad so that you can attach it to the container wherever you like for hands-free operation. After the unit is connected to the keypad, all you have to do is flip the switch on the Jumpbox and enter the code for the lock. In testing, that simple step results in an unlocked safe that can now be serviced seven times out of 10.
The compartment in the rear of the Jumpbox allows for storage of the cable and the alligator clip when not in use. The alligator clip is used to bypass a diode in certain S&G locks and complete instructions for the use of the bypass clip are included with the tool. When in use, the cable can be routed through a slot in the rear compartment while the strong magnetic pad attaches the unit to the container for hands-free operation.
How Does It Work?
In addition to the high power battery pack, the Jumpbox uses a smart solid-state voltage regulator to deliver the maximum amount of power in a safe manner. The regulator continuously monitors and adjusts the output depending on the load requirements of the lock. The voltage regulator will automatically ramp up the power as needed, up to four amps, to free stuck or stalled components without causing damage to the lock itself. In addition, it will also safely shut down the power if it detects an overloaded or shorted drive unit.
Because the actual output of the Jumpbox is controlled by the voltage regulator, there will be no decrease in power as the batteries are discharged. Only when the battery pack is exhausted will the power drop off. In normal usage, the battery pack should last 10 – 15 years. The battery pack is user replaceable and Lockmasters stocks replacement battery packs.
The unit includes a detailed instruction manual for use on almost any electronic safe lock in use today. It also includes warnings on locks and situations where it should not be used. An online video shows the connection procedure and usage on many of the most popular electronic safe locks. This video can be accessed through the Lockmasters website, www.lockmasters.com, or directly at http://bcove.me/l6zzo1fy.
What Does It Open?
As I mentioned above, the Jumpbox works on almost any electronic safe lock, but Lockmasters has tested it successfully on the following locks.
- Sargent & Greenleaf: All except Pulsetronic, including 6120*, 6121, 6123*, 6124, 6125, 6126, 6127, 6128, 6129, 6150, 6300, Z02 Rotarybolt, Z03Rotarybolt, Z03 D-Drive, Titan Pivotbolt, Titan D-Drive, Dual Battery Keypads, Single Battery Keypads, EZ-View Keypads, Low Profile Keypads, Biometric Keypads, Time Delay Keypads and more. * The instructions include special cautions for the S&G 6120 series. In some cases, if the Jumpbox is not used properly, it can worsen a cross-thread situation.
- La Gard: All, including 3100, 4100, 4200, 4200M, 4300, 3765-2, 3715, 3710, 3035, 3125, 3750, 3750K, 3650, 3260, 6260, 6040, 6040M, 6040U, 6034, 3040, 3034, 6040P, 3000, 5010, 5015, SmartLinc, SmartLinc II, SmartPoint, 2788 battery box, 4001 battery box, 2789 alarm box, LG Basic, LG Basic II, LG Combo, Combogard, Comboguard Pro, Auditguard, 33E, 39F, 66E, LGA, SER44, TL11, Navigator, Safe-Gard, 3740, 3734, 9030, 9130, 2441, 6441, 3090, 3190, Privat, Privat II, LG Audit, LP Audit, eDelay, 9900, LG Access, 3900, 3950, Commander, 3200, 3450, 3460, 2870, 2888, 3045, 2500-D, 3075, 3500, 3600, 3550, DigiGard, 4000, 4005, 4030, 9050, 9060.
- Kaba-Mas: All 9-volt operated locks, including LC, LCMX, B52.
- AMSEC: ESL series (ESL10, ESL-20, ESLXL-10ESL-5, etc.)
- SecuRam: All (Includes EC-601 series and biometric keypads)
- LP Locks: All (Including EL-20/25/30 Rotobolts and DB-20/25/30 Straightbolts)
S&G 6120/6123 Issues
In the list above, I mentioned that the S&G 6120 or 6123 need special attention if they are in a cross-threaded condition. The instructions that come with the tool devote several pages to an excellent series of troubleshooting steps to determine exactly what the problem is with the lock. After performing these tests, you should know exactly what has failed in the lock. The instructions also give solutions to most of the common problems. These troubleshooting procedures alone are well worth having. All in all, the Jumpbox from Lockmasters is a quality tool that any safe technician should seriously consider owning.
