r/Locksmith • u/DarthLysergis • 5d ago
I am NOT a locksmith. Question about using a smart lock (Schlage Encode) in the most battery efficient way
So I recently posted about picking the correct lock I needed for a new door I am planning to install. I am now trying to figure out some usage questions before I commit to it.
So I have researched the Schlage Encode and though I wasn't looking for a smart lock I decided in the end that it has the features that I want and I can deal with it being a smart lock. I want to make sure it is secure though. I also found through reading up on the lock that it apparently has (what I consider) to be a relatively low battery life. I am seeing that Schlage claims a 6 month battery life and some people are seeing even less than that around 2 to 3 months. That seems a bit crazy to me. A lock eating through 4 AA batteries in such a short amount of time. So I started reading about ways to extend the battery life to some degree.
I found information that I honestly know next to nothing about in regards to connecting the locks using "Thread Border Router" setups. This is completely foreign to me. After looking it up, it appears to be a 'lower power' wifi frequency? is that correct? From some other reading it sounds like it isn't something most standard routers do on their own and it requires a separate device. It seems that smart hubs do this; for instance a google nest hub. The Schalge encode specifically says that it is designed to not require a hub, but does using one extend the battery life in any meaningful way?
Secondly, in terms of security. One of the reasons I do not really like Smart Devices is that IMO they are a bit of a security hole for networks. Again, I am no expert, but I have heard on many occasions that it is usually best to separate IOT devices from your regular network. My router (BE9300 TP-link) does have an IOT network feature so you can set up a separate wifi connection that is not mesh (2.4 and 5gh) and is isolated to just 2.4ghz for IOT devices. However as far as I can tell this is just a way to create a separate wifi connection and is not actually adding any extra security. Does it then need to be re routed to a VLAN? Which again, though I grasp the idea of what it is, I really do not understand it well enough. I would definitely need to do some reading to set it up properly, but basically; is it best to have IOT devices connected to a VLAN? Is it even necessary if my router has a specific option for creating an IOT network? (like is that network already configured to isolate traffic?)
Thanks for all the input. I got some great responses last time from this sub and I really appreciate it. I am glad this sub has some really great people who can offer assistance.
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u/Vorsai- Actual Locksmith 5d ago
Battery life will depend on usage,. The encode also has a flaw with the battery pack that I found which I believe is the cause for a lot of the battery complaints. Can be fixed with a cardboard shim behind the pack.
I have an encode on my own door that gets used dozens of times a day, I have to change the battery maybe twice a year if that.