Converting An Omnilock OP2000 to a Wireless Access Management System OPW2000

June 1, 2007

For the third and final article in the OSI Wireless Access Management System (WAMS) series, we will convert an earlier model OMNILOCK electro-mechanical cylindrical leverset to be WAMS-capable. All OSI electro-mechanical systems manufactured after year 2000 can be upgraded to the latest electronic capabilities. This is advantageous for both you and your installed customer base. Your customers save money by not having to purchase new replacement hardware. You are appreciated by your customers for saving them money.

The OSI Wireless Access Management System provides instantaneous, real-time communications for controlling access. OSI WAMS is comprised of three basic components:

1) The readers, mounted onto the door, which control access

2) The host Windows™ based computer that is programmed to determine who, when, and where to have access

3) The Portal Gateway, which is connected to the computer, operates very similar to a wireless router and communicates wirelessly with the readers.

The WAMS system allows remote monitoring and programming of the access control system, thereby eliminating the need for direct “face-to-face” communication with each reader lock. Even the reader's battery life can be determined at the host computer.

For this article, we chose the OMNILOCK OP2000, a single-door electronic access control system based on an ANSI Grade 1 cylindrical leverset. The OP2000 is equipped with an 11-button keypad, proximity reader and keyed cylinder. The OP2000 leversets are Fail Secure and locked electronically from the outside. The inside lever is always unlocked, providing unrestricted egress.

To make the upgrade path relatively easy, OSI Security Devices re-designed their electronic housing in 1999 and then continued to use that basic housing assembly for most* of their key-in-knob/leversets, exit trim, mortise locks, and wall-mounted systems.

* NOTE: The OMNILOCK OM250 and the traditional OMNILOCK OM100-300-500 Series systems are manufactured with their original cold-rolled steels housings. These systems cannot be upgraded to WAMS capability.

CONVERTING TO OPW2000

Step 1. Remove the reader from the door.

Step 2. Carefully remove the five Phillips head screws securing the battery cover and the back plate from the exterior housing assembly. The gasket should hold them together. There is no need to remove the gasket.

Step 3. Remove the four AA batteries.

Two wire connectors may be attached to the battery side of the circuit board. One is for the motor connection. The motor wires are red and black. If the lock is equipped with key bypass detection, a second connector will be present. The two key bypass detection wires are yellow.

Step 4. Carefully slide the connector(s) off of the circuit board.

Step 5. Remove the two Phillips Head screws securing the main circuit board to the exterior housing.

Step 6. Unscrew the mounting stand from between the two battery bases.

Step 7. Carefully lift the circuit board from the top until you can see the two connectors. The main circuit board is connected to a second circuit board by a ribbon cable and a four-wire harness.

Step 8. Carefully pull the four-wire connector off the main circuit board. Do not attempt to remove it from the secondary circuit board.

Step 9. Carefully pull up on the two outside clips of the ribbon cable connector. Once these clips have been lifted out of the locked position, the cable will slide out of the connector.

Step 10. Lift the main circuit board out the housing. Place this circuit board into an anti-static bag (provided with upgrade kit) for storage and protection.

Note: Several labels are inside the exterior housing. One label contains the serial number of the lock. This number can be used to identify the model of the lock by calling OSI Security Devices. Once identified, OSI can provide sales history, servicing, and programming information.

The primary differences between the OP2000 main circuit board and the OPW2000 main circuit board are as follows: The OP2000 main PCB (printed circuit board) has one large (approximately 1-square-inch) Phillips integrated circuit at the 3 o'clock position. It also has two integrated circuits that have white labels with OM/OP2000 typed on at least one of them. A two-screw terminal block is on the battery side of the OP2000 PCB at the 12 o'clock position. The OPW2000 PCB has a metal rectangular-shaped RF cover at the 8 o'clock position. It also has two metal cans (clock oscillators), one at the 10 o'clock and one at the 3 o'clock position. On the battery side of the OPW2000 PCB is large can (capacitor) at the 1 o'clock position.

INSTALLING THE WAMS ANTENNA

The next series of steps is to install the WAMS antenna. The WAMS antenna is necessary for the reader to be capable of communicating with the gateway.

Step 1. Carefully un-clip the plastic infrared window cover plate from the exterior housing.

Step 2. Slide the antenna wire and the metal connection plate from the outside through the opening made by removing the plastic cover plate.

Step 3. Pull the antenna wire through and position the ABS antenna cover flush with the face of the exterior housing.

Step 4. Using the interior steel mounting plate to keep the cap in place, install the two Phillips head Screws.

Step 5. Attach the male plug end of the antenna cable to the connector Jack J8 that is located almost dead center of the OPW2000 WAMS main circuit board.

INSTALLING THE CIRCUIT BOARD

The final series of steps is to install the WAMS equipped main circuit board.

Step 1. Position the main circuit board with the bottom resting against the two screw posts. In this position, there is sufficient wire and ribbon cable to make the connections.

Step 2. Attach the four-wire connector to the top left corner of the circuit board.

Step 3. Open the ribbon cable connector by pulling out on the outside clips. Slide the ribbon cable into the slot as far as it will go. Keep the end of the ribbon cable in the connector and push down on the two outside clips to secure the ribbon cable.

Step 4. Position the main circuit board in the exterior housing and install the two Phillips head screws with lock washers. Then install the threaded post. Make sure the main circuit board is securely mounted.

Step 5. Insert the lockset assembly into the housing assembly.

Step 6. Place the gasket attached battery cover and back plate onto the housing assembly. Install the four Phillips head back plate screws. The circuit board should still be accessible.

Step 7. Attach the two-wire red/black motor wire connector. If present, attach the two-wire yellow key bypass detection connector.

Step 8. Install the four AA batteries, from left to right, according to the diagrams.

Step 9. Press and hold the reset button on the circuit board approximately three seconds until the green light on the keyboard flashes. Allow the system to self-test.

The green light will flash five times, indicating the system is operational. A red flash indicates system malfunction.

Step 10. Position the battery cover and install the Phillips head screw.

The OSI OP2000 has been converted to the OPW2000 and is now ready to be installed on a door to control access.

Every OSI electromechanical lock can be upgraded to a higher level of security and/or method of controlling access. This provides the end-user the capability of upgrading without the expense of replacing the hardware.

The only exceptions are the OMNILOCK OM250 and the traditional OMNILOCK OM100-300-500 Series systems. These systems can NOT be upgraded to WAMS capability

A quick rule-of-thumb for determining WAMS upgrade compatibility is, “If the keypad buttons are Round, the system CANNOT be upgraded to WAMS capability. If the keypad buttons are Square, the system CAN be upgraded” to WAMS capability.

For more information contact your local locksmith wholesaler or OSI SECURITY DEVICES, Inc., 1580 Jayken Way , Chula Vista , CA 91911-4644 . Telephone: 619-628-1000. Fax: 619-628-1001. Website: www.omnilock.com.

Rick Rasmussen is VP of Sales at OSI Security Devices. An ex-Navy man, Rick spent some 20 years in the defense electronic and military intelligence-gathering community. He has lived abroad with his wife and two boys including a four-year government stint in Saudi Arabia . Rick now has a passion for locks and locking hardware.

Part 1 of this series, Going Wireless With OSI's Wireless Access Management System, appeared in the July 2006 issue of Locksmith Ledger, beginning on page 58.

Part 2, Installing The OSI WAMS WIRELESS ACCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, was featured in the January 2007 issue of Locksmith Ledger, beginning on page 28.

Photos Available Soon