Garage Door Wireless Pinpad-remote lifetime

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jamesrt

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#220280 3-Aug-2017 11:28

Hi all,

This is another "how long is a piece of string" type vaguely CGA-related question thread, I'm afraid.

We had supplied to us approx 3 years ago a wireless remote pin-pad for a garage door. This is a specific item that the manufacturer makes, which is designed to be sited outside, has a weatherproof flap, etc, etc.

Now our one has a faulty digit, sometimes when you press it, it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm sure that the actual mechanism is one of those simple rubber-membrane "calculator key" type things.

Having rung the company that supplied it, they claimed that since we'd used that digit twice in our PIN, we'd worn that number out "through overuse". Sounds like bollocks to me!

I'd be interested in a quick straw-poll over what people think should be a "reasonable" lifetime for a product like this - solely designed to be used as a pin-pad on the outside of a building to open a door.

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#1836495 3-Aug-2017 12:26

I vote bollocks, send a letter citing CGA and threaten disputes tribunal

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jamesrt

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#1836533 3-Aug-2017 13:14

nickb800: I vote bollocks, send a letter citing CGA and threaten disputes tribunal

Agreed, hence my interest around the term "reasonable" with respect to life-time.

mattwnz

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#1836558 3-Aug-2017 13:45

Is it actually outside and does it get wet? If so, maybe water is getting in and has affected it. You should ask to see inside it to confirm this or not, as you don't really want them replacing it with the same one if it isn't actually suitable. Was there a warning that you shouldn't use a number twice on the pin pad, otherwise it will shorten the buttons life?

Products are required to be durable and fit for purpose, and I am guessing it wasn't cheap either.

jamesrt

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#1836580 3-Aug-2017 13:59

mattwnz: Is it actually outside and does it get wet?

Yes, it is outside. It's located in a position that makes it difficult (by not impossible) to get wet. However, the unit itself does have an integral dust (& therefore potentially moisture) cover.

mattwnz: Was there a warning that you shouldn't use a number twice on the pin pad, otherwise it will shorten the buttons life?

Not that I recall, no. (and I don't see anything in the .pdf instructions you can download)

mattwnz: I am guessing it wasn't cheap either.

Not really, no. I've been given a price of $220 for a replacement unit. Which is NOT cheap by any stretch of the imagination!

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I'm talking about one of these, in case anyone is curious.

tripper1000

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#1836663 3-Aug-2017 15:34

I vote bollocks to that excuse. I'd expect the door to wear out before the switches in the key pad.

The cheap way out of this problem is to change the PIN so that it doesn't use that number at all. It's a good idea to change the pin periodically otherwise the wear marks give away what numbers are in the pin, albeit not the order. However if you know the digits, it doesn't take too long to guess your way in.

Fred99

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#1836692 3-Aug-2017 16:20

IIRC some of the wireless keypads have a unique master code that you need in order to change the pin. The wired ones - no I don't think so.

I agree it shouldn't have crapped out in 3 years, but don't know if it's worth the hassle to chase the supplier up via DT. I'd wager they'll dig their toes in - as they do with failed remotes which people "forget to mention" that they put through washing machines etc but still want a new one.

I expect it might be a relatively easy fix, pull it apart until you can get the silicone pad off, clean the underside of the pad and face of the board with contact cleaner, reassemble with fingers crossed (not literally - that would be a bit fiddly I expect).

Paul1977

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#1839154 4-Aug-2017 13:27

IANAL

These keypads are meant to go outside, so if it is weather related that would make it not fit for purpose and would make it a CGA issue.

The idea the you overused the key by having it twice in the PIN number is ridiculous. You should be able to have '1111' if you want and still expect it to last a reasonable time. And when they charge in excess of $200 for a single function device like this, I think it should last longer than it has.

timmmay

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#1839157 4-Aug-2017 13:35

Three years is pushing it under the CGA IMHO.

Paul1977

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#1839169 4-Aug-2017 13:46

timmmay:

Three years is pushing it under the CGA IMHO.

I don't think so.

If it was $50 I'd agree with you, but $220 for a simple single function device I expect a long life out of it (unless it is being unreasonably abused).

sxz

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#1839187 4-Aug-2017 14:03

Complete bollox.

My parents have one just as you describe. It's approximately 18 years old and has never been serviced, and has never missed a beat - ever. Never changed the pin number, and the 5 buttons that have been used for 18 years are in just as good nick as the other buttons that have never been used.

And - its on the coast, and has not succumbed to salt related deaths like various TVs, heatpumps and tv aerials have.

Yours is either seriously defective or seriously crap!

EDIT: I would 100% back your success under the CGA. A $220 keypad should last SIGNIFICANTLY longer than 3 years. I would back a claim even if it failed after 10 years.

EDIT 2 (because this is pissing me off): - What about a TV remote. While not outdoors - you can repeatedly use some buttons more than others and every TV remote I have ever had has always outlasted the TV / DVD / Stereo etc. It is a bollox argument that you have worn out a key.

scuwp

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#1839220 4-Aug-2017 15:15

Sorry I am with @timmmay on this one. I think 3 years isn't too bad.

The other point is that the OP doesn't say how much the original item cost, only that the replacement at today's value is $220. Value (and therefore reasonable life) should be based on what it cost, not the replacement value in today's money. I don't value my 10 year old car the same cost as the new model.

We had a wired one in our old house. Did the same job and cost about $30

I sincerely wish you all the best in seeking compensation under the CGA. It's not a battle I would be prepared to follow through with.

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Robert J Hanlon

dan

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#1839227 4-Aug-2017 15:29

i think 3 years is pretty reasonable for a battery powered electronic device that lives outside personally

why not change your PIN to something that doesnt use that particular broken digit for now? maybe you will get another 1-2 years out of it before

you need to replace?

speshnz

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#1839234 4-Aug-2017 15:38

scuwp:

Sorry I am with @timmmay on this one. I think 3 years isn't too bad.

The other point is that the OP doesn't say how much the original item cost, only that the replacement at today's value is $220. Value (and therefore reasonable life) should be based on what it cost, not the replacement value in today's money. I don't value my 10 year old car the same cost as the new model.

We had a wired one in our old house. Did the same job and cost about $30

I sincerely wish you all the best in seeking compensation under the CGA. It's not a battle I would be prepared to follow through with.

i thought the CGA specifically stated that value/cost should have no bearing on the lifespan of a device?

timmmay

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#1839235 4-Aug-2017 15:44

dan:

why not change your PIN to something that doesnt use that particular broken digit for now? maybe you will get another 1-2 years out of it before you need to replace?

That's the best suggestion of this thread, IMHO.

mattwnz

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#1839256 4-Aug-2017 16:15

timmmay:

Three years is pushing it under the CGA IMHO.

Really? So you would expect to have to replace your door components every 3 years? I've got a garage door opener remote that is more than 20 years old.

IMO the fact that they are also expensive implies that they are high quality and should last a long time.

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