How long do batteries last in August Lock?
The August Smart Lock uses 4 AA batteries with an expected battery life of 3 to 6 months. That is a shorter suggested lifespan than the six months to a year promised for the older, AA models. This August does recommend not using rechargeable batteries.
Don’t worry, the app will send you a notification when the battery life reaches 20%. Even if the batteries die, you can still get into your house by using the real key. It would just be annoying.
How Is The August Smart Lock Pro Powered?
All August smart locks are powered by four AA alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries(included with purchase), apart from the Wi-Fi smart lock that uses two 3V CR123 or CR123A lithium batteries.
How Long Do the Batteries Really Last?
August claims on their site that the batteries will last a solid 6 months. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be dubious of any figures provided by the manufacturer. And, It is obviously in their best interest to stretch the truth, or in the worst cases flat out lie.
They have found that the batteries last between three and six months, so they weren’t too far off from the truth.
Of course, this figure will vary depending on the number of locks used. If your home sees a lot of traffic, the batteries will obviously not last that long. You can expect it to last a lot longer if your house doesn’t get a lot of traffic.
Furthermore, You will also have to take into account the features you are taking advantage of as well. The extra drag on those batteries from auto-unlock, auto-lock, and DoorSense will be minimal.
The fact that you can’t see how much battery life is left is one of the August Smart Lock’s biggest flaws. This may be difficult to adjust to if you are the sort who craves fast input in all aspects of your life.
When the low battery warning goes out, they’ve found that the batteries have approximately 4 weeks left in them. This number will vary based on how much the lock is used. And, It is always your best bet to change those batteries soon after receiving that battery alert. Many users are hoping that a battery life meter will be added. It sure would be helpful.
Why Can’t Rechargeable Batteries Be Used?
August doesn’t recommend using rechargeable batteries as they have limited capacity. All August smart locks are powered with AA non-rechargeable batteries except the Wi-Fi locks that run on 3V CR123 or CR123A lithium batteries, still non-rechargeable.
They don’t mention why alkaline batteries are better than rechargeable batteries, but there are some limitations to using rechargeable batteries. But, I’m sure all they want is for the device to work correctly and for you to not have to worry about power issues affecting your experience.
It all comes down to how much voltage rechargeable batteries discharge. Low-power devices, such as clocks and other small devices, benefit greatly from rechargeable batteries.
A rechargeable battery’s output is around 1.2 volts, while an alkaline battery’s output is 1.5 volts. It’s possible that this change is enough to cause the lock to deactivate.
Rechargeable batteries simply do not give the same level of power as regular batteries, without getting too technical. To be fair, some superior rechargeable batteries may offer higher output, but they don’t recommend them for safety reasons.
When a Rechargeable battery will also drop voltage very quickly towards the end of its life. An alkaline battery will discharge much more slowly. Because the August Smart Lock does not monitor actual battery life remaining but instead provides a low battery signal, knowing when to send that notification with rechargeable batteries would be nearly impossible.
What happens if the August lock battery dies?
When the battery in your August smart lock dies, the lock stops working electronically, which means you won’t be able to unlock it using the August app until the batteries are replaced. However, because August locks are compatible with your existing deadbolt, you can manually open your door (with a physical key) with the original deadbolt.
You’ll also receive notifications when your batteries are low, so replace them before they completely drain.
Can you open the August lock with a key?
Yes. Even if you have an August Smart Lock installed, you can lock and unlock your door with a physical key from the original deadbolt.
