this post was submitted on 24 Sep 2026

355 points (97.6% liked)

3DPrinting

24217 readers

11 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: or !functionalprint@fedia.io

There are CAD communities available at: !cad@lemmy.world or !freecad@lemmy.ml

Rules

No bigotry - including racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, or xenophobia. Code of Conduct.
Be respectful, especially when disagreeing. Everyone should feel welcome here.
No porn (NSFW prints are acceptable but must be marked NSFW)
No Ads / Spamming / Guerrilla Marketing
Do not create links to reddit
If you see an issue please flag it
No guns
No injury gore posts

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe/ may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

j4k3@lemmy.world

andypiper@lemmy.world

GrayBackgroundMusic@lemmy.zip

355

Tired of expensive disposable batteries and rechargeable AA suck. So I made a 10k mAh pack for my deadbolt. (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by ThePantser@sh.itjust.works to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world

197 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Eneloops would only last about 3 weeks. And disposable last 2 months. This door is used a lot and since it has Zwave and a door open sensor it sends info on every open.

Bonus, since it can handle the lipo AA batteries that put out 1.8v and it gives the motor more oomph I made the battery pack give 7.2v and it never sticks anymore.

This is a garage-door so its not critical access but is used a lot.

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 81 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (16 children)

imagine having a door/lock that requires power..

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 39 points 1 month ago (4 children)

It’s pretty convenient actually

[–] mrmisses@lemmy.world 18 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yeah, seems like it /s

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I dunno what’s wrong with their lock, but I use eneloops on my lock and I swap the batteries probably 2-3 times a year

load more comments (1 replies)

load more comments (3 replies)

[–] bizarroland@lemmy.world 24 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (8 children)

Imagine being locked out of your house because you forgot to bring keys with you.

Like, I'm sorry if you disagree with this, but holy shit, having electric locks on your doors where you can get into your house based off a fingerprint or a code is a fucking game changer.

I have two on my doors, one on the front, one on the back, and I installed them at a week or two apart, so if one of them starts complaining that the battery is low, the other one's still good. If one of them goes dead while I'm on vacation, the other one's good.

Not to mention that you can unlock the door from your phone in case somebody comes over unexpectedly, or if you have a friend coming in from out of town and you're going to be at work when they arrive, you can create a code for them to unlock your front door and come in while you're not even there.

Plus they still have key locks that I can use if the batteries are completely dead and they can be powered by a 9 volt battery in case I don't have the key with me.

They're freaking awesome and I am glad they exist.

[–] mrmisses@lemmy.world 36 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

You can't lock yourself out of the house with a deadbolt, they require the key to lock

[–] sem@piefed.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 month ago

You can also leave without a key and then your roommate also leaves and locks the door.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

But you can lock the handle and leave without keys.

You can leave the handle unlocked, and just use the deadbolt this way.

[–] Ludicrous0251@piefed.zip 13 points 1 month ago

You can leave the handle unlocked, and just use the deadbolt this way.

This is how I have locked my house for the last like 100 years without a smart deadbolt.

[–] WalrusDragonOnABike@reddthat.com 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Imagine not having a lockpick kit on you to just let yourself in

[–] AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 month ago

Imagine having keys so you can let yourself in when you forget your lockpick kit.

[–] DeathsEmbrace@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Yeah and it makes it pathetically easy to break into your house. Just search online for some of these “security locks using fingerprints”. Its even easier to break into sometimes than a regular shitty lock.

[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Unless you've got a steel reinforced frame bolted into the foundation backing your steel reinforced door, a strong leg and a sturdy boot will get through practically anything you can buy at a hardware store, and a crowbar will take care of the rest.

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments (5 replies)

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yea, it is nice being able to check if you locked the door from bed. Definition of luxury, but I didn't buy this one it was a gift.

[–] DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

Ok, you get a pass from my “or just use a damn normal lock” dad’s finger wagging 😂

[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago

I have a similar one and can still use a key…

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I can head out for a walk without bringing my keys with me. Kids can open the door while I’m grabbing the groceries or other stuff. Can provide a temporary code for someone to check on it while I’m out. Family can have a code for emergencies, or if they need to watch the kids.

It’s hella convenient actually.

[–] TragicNotCute@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago

It’s the best. We have auto locking deadbolts that lock themselves after a period of time. Each family member has their own code to get in and it has a normal key hole if you want.

[–] Joelk111@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I was super anti smart locks until I left my garage open and doors unlocked for an entire weekend because I'm forgetful. With smart doors and locks that doesn't happen and, possibly a controversial take, doors being closed and locked by reputable smart devices is more secure than them standing open. Most crimes are those of opportunity, and a thief is just gonna try the door and break a window when it doesn't open if they're willing to go that far.

load more comments (1 replies)

load more comments (9 replies)

[–] violentfart@lemmy.world 41 points 1 month ago (20 children)

Well done, and I’m surprised at all the technophobes in a 3d printing community.

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 month ago

Yea its weird. I think its the AI and Data center hate. I am as local as I can be for my stuff and AI free. 99% of my stuff is Home Assistant, ESPhome, and Zigwave.

[–] KexPilot@lemmy.world 16 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I mean, there has always been a correlation between being technical (as in profession/skills) and being paranoid about technology. When you are in the field, you get a window into how ignorant most of the tech products are security-wise for example. And I guess a good portion of 3d printing people - especially the ones on lemmy - are technical (as in profession/skills), not/not only tech lovers.

[–] SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Considering a lock is pickable in a few seconds, what’s the security risk? A lot of these locks even dont have keys, so you’re removing a very easy and common vulnerability.

When you are in the field, you get a window into how ignorant most of the tech products are security-wise for example

Most people just don’t actually think for themselves is the issue. Regular deadbolts aren’t secure themselves already.

Also, if the door is locked, they just break a window or kick a door in. A deadbolt isn’t a good way to secure you house regardless, you need reinforced doors and frames too. So without all these extras, what risk is an electronic deadbolt above a regular one?

Can’t have your keys stolen and your house just walked in either, so that’s MULTIPLE security avenues fixed with an electronic lock.

And very few people are going to be capable of hacking these compared to older and easier methods as well.

load more comments (1 replies)

load more comments (18 replies)

[–] the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 41 points 1 month ago (14 children)

Wait until you hear about this neat invention called a "key". They are quite wonderful, they can securely lock and unlock your door in any conditions and don't need those pesky batteries.

[–] MagicDonkey@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 1 month ago

Wait until you hear about this neat invention called a "smart lock". It uses this marvelous key invention you kindly detailed but it also uses magic powered rocks that can send small vibrations in the air to communicate with other magic rocks at home. If their magic energy source is depleted the object you refer to as a "key" may also be operated on this mystical lock to which the lock then whispers: "just let people enjoy things".

[–] mrgoosmoos@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 month ago (12 children)

the batteries in mine last a year and I don't have to carry around any keys but my car keys (when I take the car).

definitely worth it. I can leave the house with nothing but my phone or bank card and run errands etc. people can access my house when I want them to without issue. it's a huge QoL improvement for me

that said, I'd still prefer an electronic lock that had a key as well, and wasn't a touchscreen

load more comments (12 replies)

[–] sexual_tomato@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Now grant access to someone you've never met but then revoke that access after a some time without involving another person or machinery in the process. You also have to do it while you're on vacation in another country and not physically present.

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments (11 replies)

[–] YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today 40 points 1 month ago (3 children)

KmAhs

Mfer do you mean Ahs?

[–] Therefore@lemmy.world 29 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

No kilomilliamp silly

load more comments (1 replies)

[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Should be Wh anyway.

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments (1 replies)

[–] glimse@lemmy.world 31 points 1 month ago (9 children)

Hey I haven't used this model specifically but a PSA to anyone with a motorized lock:

If your battery is dying seemingly too fast (and it's not an old battery), your deadbolt is probably misaligned. The friction takes a huge toll on the motor and battery life. They should last MONTHS at minimum.

load more comments (9 replies)

[–] GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

I am confused, is this not possible to wire properly to a power supply? even though this has increased capacity it would still always be in the back of my head that my door might run out of power 🤔

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 15 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

This did make me realize I've never seen a deadbolt reversed. As in the door having just a metal framed hole, and the bolt come out of the frame. Seems like the easiest way you would be able to run power to it. (Maybe not the most structurally sound, probably depends on the door material)

[–] ImgurRefugee114@reddthat.com 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

I don't know. I think that if you built the receptacle right, It could probably work pretty well... Most deadbolts are pretty shit in general (rare to see people reinforce the jamb), so, even an naive attempt probably wouldn't be that much worse. For a metal door with a chunky insert, I think it would work fine. For any other kind of door, I think you'd probably need at least a frame or large plate to distribute the loads, but it's still probably wouldn't be much worse than a conventional configuration. Huh...

I guess the main complexity (or just oddity) would be the keyhole wouldn't be on the door.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Why did you mount two hydraulic pistons with holes drilled through the door frame to have double deadbolts going into a solid wood door with metal framed slots? Because I was bored and wanted to make hole in the wall and overcomplicate something that can be bypassed by opening the windows I leave open 5 feet away. Lol

Yeah, I guess I'll add that to the reasons I could never be rich.. id do way to many stupid things for my own amusement.

load more comments (2 replies)

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments (2 replies)

[–] BlackLaZoR@lemmy.world 14 points 1 month ago (5 children)

rechargeable AA suck.

No they don't

load more comments (5 replies)

[–] Treczoks@lemmy.world 13 points 1 month ago

Have you tried puttting in a wired power supply instead?

[–] hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Why not a cable for power? Does the door need to be able to go somewhere that doesn't have electricity?

load more comments (4 replies)

[–] ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 10 points 1 month ago

[–] NekoKoneko@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Rechargeable li-ion batteries are the game changer for me.

All the fancy expensive rechargeable including Eneloop would have a 30+% failure rate every recharge cycle and I wasted so much money. I have 16 li-ion AAs that I rotate including in my door locks and they have gone through multiple recharge cycles with no failures.

[–] cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 1 month ago (3 children)

If your Eneloops are failing that much, they are either being over discharged or something is wrong with your charger.

All of my Eneloops have been much more reliable than lithium ion batteries.

load more comments (3 replies)

[–] Fallibilist@feddit.uk 8 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Rechargeable Eneloops are Ni-Mh which makes the nominal voltage 1.2V where as the voltage on an Alkaline battery is 1.5V. The rechargeable ones are worse than normal Alkaline batteries. You can get rechargeable 1.5V Lithium AA batteries from Nitecore. Those are much better than Ni-Mhs.

load more comments (3 replies)

load more comments