Locker Lock FAQ’s

A standalone RFID locker lock is one that is battery operated and not wired to a central server or control software. SYNOLOCK locker locks are fast and easy to install and offered in either standalone fixed mode or standalone free mode versions.

Standalone Fixed RFID Mode Locker Locks: A lock is installed on a numbered locker and that lock is assigned to one specific RFID credential, such as a numbered RFID wristband, fob or card. That credential is then issued to a guest to lock/unlock that locker lock. This is a good choice for smaller (50-100 locker) applications where credentials can be managed efficiently and where personal service is valued as part of the overall customer experience, such as at a hotel gym or spa.

What you need:

1. A Standalone Fixed Mode RFID Locker Lock
2. 5 pcs minimum RFID Cards used to set up the locks
3. User credentials (wristbands, fobs, cards)

Need more information? Please contact us today!

A standalone RFID locker lock is one that is battery operated and not wired to a central server or control software. SYNOLOCK locker locks are fast and easy to install and offered in either standalone fixed mode or standalone free mode versions.

Standalone Free Mode RFID Locker Locks: Locks are installed on numbered lockers and the locker number is read to the lock using a handheld programmer. A master card is created for the lock administrator across all lockers that can be used to lock/unlock any locker. The guest is issued an RFID card, wristband or key fob and they can use that to lock any available locker that they choose.

That credential creates its own unlocking password when it is used to lock the RFID lock. An RFID credential reader (show here) is installed on the locker room wall for guests who forget their locker number.

Standalone free mode locks are a good choice for larger facilities like gyms, fitness centres, pools, water parks and schools where the guest may already have an RFID bracelet, card or fob or can be issued an RFID wristband with admission. This is also a good choice for RFID locker rental applications.

What you need:

1. A Standalone Free Mode RFID Locker Lock
2. A Wall Reader for Each Locker Room (Male/Female)
3. A SYNOLOCK Handheld Lock Programmer
4. User Credentials (wristbands, fobs, cards)

Need more information? Please contact us today!

Pre-paid RFID locker rental can be achieved using our standalone free mode locks and our RFID credentials (card, wristband, fob).

The renter of the locker can purchase a prepaid locking/unlocking credential to rent a locker. Before renting (using) the lockers, the user needs to add money to the cards at reception. After money is added to the card, renters can store their belongings in any available locker use the card to lock the chosen locker.

Upon locking, rental time starts counting. When renters scan the card to open the locker and retrieve their belongings, a rental fee is deducted automatically upon opening. If the credential balance is low or exhausted, the locker will not open and the user needs to refill the credential to open the locker.

Need more information? Please contact us today!

Standalone fixed locks tend to be a better fit with smaller installations where personal service is valued by a guest. Examples are a spa, a hotel gym, a golf club. But managing numbered RFID credentials (wristbands, fobs, cards) for standalone fixed locks can be cumbersome for large locker installations (ie. 300 mens lockers and 300 woman’s lockers) where guests must be issued a numbered credential at entry and return it on departure.

Credentials can be numbered at time of order, but if they are lost or not returned, replacing a few numbered pieces every once in a while is expensive and a hassle. One way of dealing with this problem is to attach the locker number using a key tag on a wristband, or write the locker number on the inside of the wristband, on the back of the card or on the fob. Stickers can also be used depending on your application.

To ensure the return of the numbered credential, attach a significant deposit for losing or not returning it. If you do decide on factory numbered credentials, order several sets at one time or just use plastic numbered key tags that can be found at any locksmith and are easy and cost-effective to replace.

Standalone free locks eliminate this problem by allowing the user to choose whatever free locker they can find. Any of our credentials can be used for this purpose, we also have disposable wristbands that eliminate the problem of loss or theft. Use one of our thermal printer bands if you do wish to assign a locker number to a guest without worrying about recovering the credential when they leave.

Need more information? Please contact us today!

SYNOLOCKS are high quality and rarely malfunction, we know that because we have thousands of locks deployed, but just like anything electronic, sometimes things can happen.

If a lock is not unlocking for some reason, and you have gone through the proper protocol to ensure that battery is not dead, the lock will need to be destroyed, removed and replaced. For this reason, we normally suggest ordering a couple of extra locks and keeping them on hand in case something like this happens.

Please note that we honour a one year warranty against defects on all of our products. If you do have a malfunction, please contact us for guidance and warranty support.

SYNOLOCKS are all close proximity reads of circa 5-10 cm. Please note that read distance can fluctuate with the type of credentials used.

Need more information? Please contact us today!

Standalone fixed mode locks are set up on a three level card management system for maximum security and controlled lock management. These cards are an Owner Card, Master Card and a User Card:

Owner Card

Only one owner card is allowed for each lock, but the owner card can be programmed across many different locks. The owner card must be used to program or delete a master card and cannot be used to lock or unlock the lock. Keep the owner card in a safe place and do not lose it.

Master Card

Master cards are used to program or delete a user credential and can also be used to lock or unlock the lock. When a lock is unlocked using a master card all user cards are deleted and need to be reinstalled.

For convenient management the same master cards can be used as the master cards for all locks at one site. Alternatively, master cards can be set up for different zones in your facility or assigned to handle members and guests separately.

User Card

A user card (normally an RFID wristband or fob) is only used for locking or unlocking the lock. Your choice of setting the locks to 1 user or 5 users depends on how you will use the lockers in your facility. For example, is a locker randomly assigned to an individual who visits your gym? Or does a family that has a membership get up to 5 pc of user cards?

These videos show the lock set for standalone fixed mode locks:

Assume an installation of 400 lockers with 250 locks for men and 150 locks for woman.

Program an Owner Card for all 400 locker locks. Use that Owner Card to program one or two Master Cards for the men’s area and one or two master cards for the woman’s area.

If a (male/female) user cannot open their lock for any reason, they can ask the respective (male/female) locker room manager to unlock their locker using the respective (male/female) Master Card. If a User Card is lost or accidently leaves the facility with a user, use the Master Card to delete the lost User Card off the lock and program a new user card to replace it.

If the manager loses the Master Card or it is lost, use the Owner Card to delete the Master Card. Then use the Owner Card to program one or two new Master Cards for each lock to replace the deleted Master Card. The originally programmed User Cards cannot be used after the original Master Cards are deleted.

These videos show the lock set for standalone fixed mode locks:

Metal causes interference with RF signals and may cause reading failures for the lock. SYNOLOCK comes in versions for wood and metal locker doors, so please make sure you specify the type of lock you need a time of order.

Locks for metals doors are delivered with anti-metal shielding so that the metal door will not interfere with the operation of the lock. Some of our locks are designed to fit through the locker door and do not have enough clearance behind the lock face to add in the anti-metal backing. That is why we have some locks for wooden doors, some for metals doors and some that can be used for both.

Important notice about wooden locker doors: Sometimes locker doors that appear to be made from wood are instead made from a wood composite material and then covered with a decorative foil or laminate that can contain metal. Those doors should be treated like full metal doors.

Please check with your locker supplier and test a lock sample first if you suspect the finish might be metallic. And if you need help, please contact us for assistance.

Sometimes to drive guest convenience you need to integrate your new lockers with an existing RFID card system.

We normally require an MOQ to produce custom locks to meet those needs, and depending on what you need, there may be other non-recurring engineer costs. Consult with us on your specific chip reading requirements, special product branding or private labeling needs.

Please contact us for a project discussion.