Yale lock Battery Drain Issue/ Firmware for Z-Wave Modules – Lynx

Understanding: Yale lock Battery Drain Issue/ Firmware for Z-Wave Modules

This KB article section is designed to systematically evaluate common causes of battery drain before proceeding with more in-depth troubleshooting and checking firmware of the Z-Wave modules if required.

Reasons

Common reasons of faster battery drain

Usage and Activity Pattern:
Frequent usage or enabling certain features, such as auto-lock/unlock or remote control, puts more demand on the lock's battery, leading to faster drain. These factors are essential to understand when assessing the battery's performance

Connectivity and Signal Strength:
Poor signal strength can cause the lock or hub to constantly attempt to reconnect, which increases power consumption and accelerates battery drain.

Lock Installation and Alignment:
Misalignment or physical resistance in the lock can increase the effort required by the motor, leading to higher power consumption with each use. Issues such as resistance when turning the lock, unusual sounds during engagement, or noticeable door warping or shifting can indicate that the lock alignment needs to be checked and adjusted.

Environmental Factors(Important):
Locks installed on doors exposed to extreme temperature changes or direct sunlight experience reduced battery efficiency and longevity. Cold temperatures, in particular, can significantly impact battery performance, causing noticeable changes during specific seasons or weather conditions.
Alkaline batteries (used in Yale locks) use a water-based electrolyte, which slows chemical reactions as temperatures approach freezing (32°F or 0°C) due to reduced ion mobility. This decrease in ion movement, essential for generating electricity, leads to reduced battery performance and shorter run time.

Battery Type and Quality:

The type and quality of batteries used in the lock significantly affect performance. High-quality batteries are essential for reliable operation. Kindly use the correct batteries recommended by the manufacturer, which also includes and not limited to using the correct battery type and voltage mentioned by manufacturer.

If you notice that the battery is still draining constantly on a Yale lock after ensuring all of the above points then there is a possibility that the firmware version of the module is not compatible with the firmware version of the lock. In that case, you may need to replace the Z-Wave module with a compatible version.

Important: Ensure that the hub is online for Z-Wave locks before changing modules!

	Actions
Where to check the Firmware version on the Z-Wave module
Where to check the Firmware version on the Yale Lock
Firmware Compatibility	Gen-1: Lock Firmware v4.4 compatible with ZW2 v1.78 or v1.80 module Gen - 2: Lock Firmware v2.3.9 or v2.3.20 compatible with ZW2 v1.80 module only
Do I need to exchange modules?	If the Gen 1 or Gen 2 lock has an incompatible module, you will need to exchange the module for a compatible version. Please reach out to Lynx Support to request a new module: support@getlynx.co
Module Activation Process:	Here is a link to our article on how to activate Z-Wave lock modules.

Important Note: The battery drain issue only applies to locks with Z wave modules.

Learn How to reset Yale lock here.

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