Installing the CompX HORIZONTAL MOUNT REFRIGERATOR LOCK

The surface mounted CompX eLock Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Kit is designed to secure refrigerators and upright freezers to control access. This Refrigerator Kit is based on the eLock keyless cabinet lock technology using five methods of controlling access: Keypad, Magnetic Stripe, Proximity, Magnetic Stripe/Keypad combination and Proximity/Keypad combination. The Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Kit is designed for interior applications and is not weather resistant.

The CompX Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Kit electronics have non-volatile memory that remains intact even when the batteries are exhausted. The Refrigerator Kit has the capability of up to 250 Supervisor/User Codes and 1500 occurrences time/date audit trail to accommodate federal, state and local safety requirements. Note: LockView® software is required for some of the advanced capabilities.
Like the top-mount CompX Refrigerator Lock, the horizontal mount unit has a battery operated latch mechanism incorporating a gear driven motor that operates a spring bolt. Both of the Refrigerator Kits are designed to lock a refrigerator or freezer simply by closing the door. The Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Kit is mounted onto the swing horizontal of the door and the strike plate is mounted onto the body. As the door is closed, the strike enters the latch opening, causing the latch to retract in order to accommodate the strike plate.

Once the cutout in the strike aligns with the latch, it extends into the opening in the strike plate securing the door. Only a properly programmed proximity ID, magstripe card and/or PIN can gain access. When properly programmed code(s) has been entered, the electric motor retracts the latch permitting the door to be opened.

These refrigerator locks can be programmed using two different methods. Supervisor/User Codes can be added by using the keypad or presenting a card. The second method is to program the refrigerator lock using the optional LockView software. For this installation, proximity cards were programmed to accommodate the name badges of the employees who required access to the freezer. This was the primary method for access. The lock was ordered with both proximity and keypad, having keypad capability as a backup.

The keypad-equipped Refrigerator Locks have buttonS numbered 0 through 9, a green LED and red LED, an asterisk “*” key, and pound “#” key. When a valid Supervisor or User Code is entered, the green LED illuminates, the latch retracts, and a confirmation beep sounds. If an invalid code is entered, the red LED illuminates and a beep sounds.

LockView Windows™ based software connects via USB port and provides basic programming functions for non-keypad equipped Refrigerator Locks. In addition, all models of the Refrigerator Locks and the eLocks can be programmed for time and date as well as audit capabilities. The LockView software facilitates adding, editing, deleting, and assigning users and supervisors access rights. Using LockView, the audit log contains up to the last 1500 entry attempts with date, time, access granted or denied, and user name. The five lock models of the Refrigerator Locks have an RJ-11 port that can be accessed without opening the refrigerator door.

Prior to installing the Refrigerator Lock, it is a good idea to program the unit so at least one user code/card can unlock the refrigerator or freezer. This way operation of the lock can be confirmed prior to installation and simplify the installation process.

INSTALLATION
For this article, I was invited to the installation of the new Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Lock onto a Sanyo commercial freezer being used to store mother’s milk. The freezer was equipped with a rotating hasp designed for a small padlock. This locking method was not appropriate for the application.

Important: Depending upon the configuration of the refrigerant coils in the refrigerator and the requirements of the end-user, the Refrigerator Lock can be installed using screws or strong adhesion double-sided tape. 

For this installation, the decision was made to mount the refrigerator lock using screws. Because it was not possible to determine the location of the refrigerant coils prior to the installation, a decision was made to use a very small 1/16” diameter drill bit to just drill through the freezer’s metal cover. To accomplish this, the drill bit was slid into the chuck until just about 1/8” extended. This way the hole was drilled just through the sheet metal. Then, a small diameter piece of rod was inserted into the opening and probed around to determine if there was something solid. If a refrigerant coil or a resistant surface was contacted, another hole could be drilled, avoiding the possibility of drilling through a refrigerant coil.

Since no refrigerant coils were found in the door, the holes were enlarged to 9/64” diameter. The Refrigerator Lock body was installed using the provided tamper-resistant Torx T-15 sheet metal screws. The T-15 tool must have a dimple cut out of the center to accommodate the tamper resistant screws.

Commercial freezers have negative airflow. This causes the freezer door to maintain additional closing force because of the created partial vacuum. Note: If the freezer door has been opened, wait several minutes before locating the strike plate to ensure proper positioning. The strike plate is placed on the horizontal of the freezer secured by the mounted refrigerator lock latch bolt.

Make adjustment as necessary so the strike plate is level and easily slides into and out of the Refrigerator Lock. Mark the first hole in the slotted opening in the strike plate. Drill through the sheet metal using a 1/16” diameter drill bit. Use small diameter piece of rod to determine if there is a refrigerant coil in the way of the mounting screw. If not, enlarge the hole and install the Torx head screw. This slotted opening permits adjustment of the strike plate.

Test the locking operation of the refrigerator lock to be certain the strike plate is properly located. Mark the location of the second mounting screw. Drill the smaller diameter hole and check for refrigerant coils. If clear, install the second mounting screw.

Six AA batteries power the CompX Horizontal Mount Refrigerator Kit, sufficient power for approximately one year of normal operation. A security Torx screw secures the battery box cover that is located on the face of the lock body.

Three different information stickers are included with each of the Refrigerator Locks. The three stickers have the lock’s serial number, the Passcode, User Reset and the Factory Reset information. If the lock is equipped with only magstripe or Proximity, there is a User Reset Card and a Factory Reset Card. The User Reset Card erases all of the user codes only. The Supervisor Codes and the Audit Trail are not erased. The Factory Reset Card erases all of the user and supervisor codes. The Audit Trail is not erased. The Passcode is unique to each lock. Without the Passcode, the LockView software program cannot gain access to the refrigerator lock.

The first sticker is a 2d bar code (scanned by laser). The second sticker is a 1d bar code. One of these stickers should be placed onto the refrigerator lock. One suggestion is to place one on the inside cover of the strike. The third sticker not only contains a 1d bar code, but also the Passcode, User Reset Code and the Factory Reset Code. This sticker should never be kept with the lock, especially if the lock is equipped with a keypad.

One of the #3 stickers should be placed onto the CompX eLock registration card and returned to CompX Fort. This way, if any of the information is not available, contacting CompX will provide the information necessary to service the lock. 

The LockView 3.0 Software is designed to:
• Add, edit, view and delete users/supervisors and their credentials
• Set dual credentials on combination locks
• Set real time clock and time based access restrictions
• Create user groups
• Assign access rights between users/supervisors and CompX eLocks in the database
• Add, edit and delete CompX eLocks
• View Temperature Logs and Temperature Graphs (if lock equipped)
• Edit Temperature Settings (if lock equipped)
• Download, view, save, print, archive and delete audit trails

PROGRAMMING AT THE KEYPAD
The CompX Refrigerator Kit does not contain any programmed Supervisor or User codes. In order to program User Codes, a Supervisor Personal Identification Number, four digits minimum, must be programmed into the Refrigerator Lock.

To program the Supervisor PIN or card:
Step 1. Press and hold the “#” key until the beeping stops.
Step 2. Input a Personal Identification Number and press the “#” key or present a card. This PIN is supervisor in slot #001.
Once a Supervisor code has been added, the eLock can be programmed at the lock or programmed using the LockView software. If the Refrigerator Lock has a key, it is a good idea to program User and Supervisor Codes according to slot assignment (number). This way, if the User or Supervisor Code needs to be deleted, it can be by slot assignment. There is no need to have the card in order to delete it.

To add a User code to a specific slot assignment:
Step 1. Input a Supervisor PIN and press “#” key or present a card.
Step 2. Press and hold the “#” key again until beeping stops.
Step 3. Enter slot number that will be assigned to the User and press “#”. For example, for slot number 10, enter 010”#”.
Step 4. Input new User PIN and press “#” key or present a card.

To delete a User with a specific slot assignment:
Step 1. Input a Supervisor PIN and press “#” key or present a card.
Step 2. Press and hold the “*” key until beeping stops.
Step 3. Enter the slot number to be cleared and press “#”. For example, for slot number 10, enter 010”#”.
Step 4. Enter the slot number to be cleared again and press “#”.

To add a User Code without slot assignment:
Step 1. Input the Supervisor PIN or present a valid Supervisor card and press “#” key.
Step 2. Press and hold the “#” key again until beeping stops.
Step 3. Input new User PIN or present a card and press “#” key.

To add a Supervisor Code:
Step 1. Input the Supervisor PIN and press “#” key.
Step 2. Press and hold the “#” key until beeping stops.
Step 3. Press and hold the “#” key again until beeping stops.
Step 4. Input new Supervisor PIN and press “#” key or present a card.
Note: Pressing the “#” key a second time until the beeping stops makes the user a Supervisor.

To delete a User or Supervisor PIN:
Step 1. Input a Supervisor PIN and press “#” key.
Step 2. Press and hold the “*” key until beeping stops.
Step 3. Input the User/Supervisor PIN and press “#” key or present a card.

To change functions, add time and week calendar and audit trail capability, the eLock must be programmed using the LockView software, which provides step-by-step instructions.
For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or CompX Security Products, P. O. Box 200, Mauldin, SC 29662. Telephone: 864-297-6655 Web site: www.compx.com