View Full Version : Beware of GunVault Safes!!!!
Mine has burned up on the inside! Lots of smoke!!! The importer/supplier (Cannon Safes) is egnoring the problem! The dealer, A.S.A.P. Safes in Dania, Florida has refunded my purchase and has acknowledged the problem. One on there floor has the visible sign of overheating also! Thankfully, I was able to remove my gun and all the boxes of ammo before it ignighted!
If you have one and stand it up, check to see if you have any signs of the metal bracket being overheated!!!!
It's like a gun, if you can't trust it, don't carry it or use it!!!!
I have posted this in another section, but feel it's important enough to be here also so everyone can see it!
Which model do you have?
I have the mulitvault standard and I haven't noticed any issues.
-- Jeremy
How did it burn up ?
I'd like to know too. I'm not in the immediate market for one but I am casually looking.
I know on mine all the electronics is in the top and there isn't much in the way of flamable material. Just some foam and plastic.
But I think some of them plug into the wall... maybe there's an issue with that.
soundwave
02-23-2008, 21:44
What areas are over heating? I have a deluxe model and want to check it out.
It has been great to me so far, would hat to replace it.
upon opening, after a few seconds, it started smoking (a lot)!!! I quickly unplugged it and ran it out of the house! It was plugged in with the supplied power pack! I had the GVB2000 Bio, but the dealer also had the Regular GVB2000 with the same problem! It's not the smallest one. Mine and the dealers were both standing up on the backside as the heat pattern on the metal shows a ring of heated metal, possibly starting to rust! The dealer suggested the power pack was too strong for the unit!
soundwave
02-23-2008, 21:51
I have the battery operated unit, so I guess I am OK.
Hmm I just have batteries on mine, but I will keep my eye on it. Thanks for the heads up.
What areas are over heating? I have a deluxe model and want to check it out.
It has been great to me so far, would hat to replace it.
Same here!!! I love the idea! And it held a lot of ammo also !! Was really hoping the importer would have it picked up and analyse it to correct the problem!!!! They said they have had a few other complaints about it, but have not been responsive to my last two emails. Possibly so they can continue to sell them and stay ignorant of the problem. Bought a second one from Cabella's before this happened and had to wait a month as they were backordered!!!!
Hmm I just have batteries on mine, but I will keep my eye on it. Thanks for the heads up.
Ya, keep it on the battery, just to be safe!!!! Believe me, if it starts to burn, you will smell it, if your in the room!
soundwave
02-23-2008, 21:56
Cool, thanks for the info.
You sure do like those "!" don't ya :)
They better sell a bunch of them because now now they are knowingly
being negligent.
Cool, thanks for the info.
You sure do like those "!" don't ya :)
When you have Grandkids, you have to have a safe for the guns!!!!!
These offered quick access in a need!
If you know what I mean!!!!
Ya, keep it on the battery, just to be safe!!!! Believe me, if it starts to burn, you will smell it, if your in the room!
Mine actually only has battery power. Hopefully that means I am good... I will keep my eye on the batter pack.
-- Jeremy
Why is a gun safe plugged into the wall?
Why is a gun safe plugged into the wall?
9 volt battery backup! It reads your fingerprint and opens within a few seconds! Pretty Cool idea, if it did'nt burn-up!!!!!
dwebb210
02-23-2008, 22:34
9 volt battery backup! It reads your fingerprint and opens within a few seconds! Pretty Cool idea, if it did'nt burn-up!!!!!
Opens in a FEW SECONDS?
I was thinking of getting one of those, but if it takes a few SECONDS to
open, I might as well save the $$$ and just use a damn key.
I guess it's just my personal circumstances. Just the wife and I, no kids at home. So the safe is unlocked when we're here, and opens instantly. And locked when we're gone.
And does not plug into the wall, or burn up. ;-)
Opens in a FEW SECONDS?
I was thinking of getting one of those, but if it takes a few SECONDS to
open, I might as well save the $$$ and just use a damn key.
Probably right!! Infact, more than a few times it took a few tries!!! After using liquid nails and having some on my finger, it would not even open for me until I got the Acetone out and cleaned it off!
Opens in a FEW SECONDS?
I was thinking of getting one of those, but if it takes a few SECONDS to
open, I might as well save the $$$ and just use a damn key.
I have the non bio scan one it opens as fast as you can push the buttons. I need to practice opening it with my eyes closed, but it's pretty fast.
-- Jeremy
dwebb210
02-23-2008, 22:46
Probably right!! Infact, more than a few times it took a few tries!!! After using liquid nails and having some on my finger, it would not even open for me until I got the Acetone out and cleaned it off!
Thanks for the info.
I will not be buying a biometric gun safe.
At least not until they open instantly, and are more reliable.
(and won't burn the house down)
The problem I had with my standard 4-button GunVault is that the batteries did not last very long so the key needed to be handy. I never knew when the batteries were going to run out. I came not to trust the electronic system in an emergency. I use it on occasion as a non-emergency gun vault.
RandallHamm
02-23-2008, 23:38
I have the non bio scan one it opens as fast as you can push the buttons. I need to practice opening it with my eyes closed, but it's pretty fast.
Which safe is that?
The problem I had with my standard 4-button GunVault is that the batteries did not last very long so the key needed to be handy. I never knew when the batteries were going to run out. I came not to trust the electronic system in an emergency. I use it on occasion as a non-emergency gun vault.
Same here, that's why I used the power pack!!!!
Glocknarc
02-24-2008, 00:00
The problem I had with my standard 4-button GunVault is that the batteries did not last very long so the key needed to be handy. I never knew when the batteries were going to run out. I came not to trust the electronic system in an emergency. I use it on occasion as a non-emergency gun vault.
I've had my Vault for about 2 years and haven't changed the batteries yet (I think I shoved 8 AA's in there). I don't open it much, as I keep my duty weapons in the stand up safe. After 2 years, it might not hurt to change them out.
I haven't had any problems with mine and it still smells new inside.
thefatsoundguy
02-24-2008, 00:10
The dealer suggested the power pack was too strong for the unit!
Check the voltage on the power supply and compare it to the voltage (V) on the unit. Too high a voltage and you could have problems like this. However, the current of the supply (usually listed as mA) should be equal to or higher than what's required by the unit.
This is the same problem I have months back. I also gave a warning to users that my battery got so hot I couldn't touch it for some minutes after. It certainly was on the verge of exploding.
THE WAS ON BATTERY POWER NOT AC
Check the voltage on the power supply and compare it to the voltage (V) on the unit. Too high a voltage and you could have problems like this. However, the current of the supply (usually listed as mA) should be equal to or higher than what's required by the unit.
The powerpack is supplied by the manufacturer. No indication on the unit of ma or for that matter volts, other than it takes one 9 volt battery also.
This is the same problem I have months back. I also gave a warning to users that my battery got so hot I couldn't touch it for some minutes after. It certainly was on the verge of exploding.
THE WAS ON BATTERY POWER NOT AC
Did you take it back or notify the company about the problem? I would also reccommend you report it to the US Consumer Product Commission. A link to their website is below. You may save someone's life. In your case that battery could have exploded and possibly ignighted some ammo.
https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx
Which safe is that?
The one I got is the multiVault standard.
http://www.gunvault.com/gunvaultmulti/
-- Jeremy
Steve Koski
02-24-2008, 12:01
I got rid of my gunvault after replacing the damned batteries every 6 months for years. Friggin 8 AA's every time I turn around. Totally annoying.
Get something with a Simplex mechanical push button lock.
http://www.ftknox.com/pistolboxes/
http://www.safetysafeguards.com/site/402168/page/57958
thefatsoundguy
02-24-2008, 12:32
The powerpack is supplied by the manufacturer. No indication on the unit of ma or for that matter volts, other than it takes one 9 volt battery also.
In that case the power supply was probably matched to the unit. It sounds like the unit was defective. If it's more than just a freak incident, that's a scary situation.
AJSully421
02-24-2008, 16:18
umm, the guy at my local dealer was really keen on selling these... he showed me that if the batteries ran out, or any other time for that matter, if you bang your fist down right in the middle at the front, where the latch is...the door pops open... EVERY TIME!!! i gave it a nice tap and sure enough, it popped open. the winchester "e vault" variety does this as well.
they're fine for keeping kids out i guess, but don't count on them for much else.
dwebb210
02-24-2008, 17:53
umm, the guy at my local dealer was really keen on selling these... he showed me that if the batteries ran out, or any other time for that matter, if you bang your fist down right in the middle at the front, where the latch is...the door pops open... EVERY TIME!!! i gave it a nice tap and sure enough, it popped open. the winchester "e vault" variety does this as well.
they're fine for keeping kids out i guess, but don't count on them for much else.
So knowing that, they are worthless.
Bought a second one and the 9 volt battery is going bad after only 2 weeks! Did'nt use the power pack as I don't want this one to burn up!!!!!
9 volt? Mine takes a bunch of AA or AAA's... I am pretty sure the directions in mine said to not use a 9v.... I will have to look for the instructions.
-- Jeremy
9 volt? Mine takes a bunch of AA or AAA's... I am pretty sure the directions in mine said to not use a 9v.... I will have to look for the instructions.
-- Jeremy
Jeremy, There's no choice on these as they only have a connector for a 9 volt and that's what the instructions call for. How long ago did you purchase yours?
if you bang your fist down right in the middle at the front, where the latch is...the door pops open... EVERY TIME!!! i gave it a nice tap and sure enough, it popped open. the winchester "e vault" variety does this as well.
they're fine for keeping kids out i guess, but don't count on them for much else.
WTF!!! I just tried this on my 2 year old gunvault, and it popped right open. WHAT A POS, this makes it useless.
WTF!!! I just tried this on my 2 year old gunvault, and it popped right open. WHAT A POS, this makes it useless.
Will try mine tomorrow. Too tired tonight.
Jeremy, There's no choice on these as they only have a connector for a 9 volt and that's what the instructions call for. How long ago did you purchase yours?
I got mine 2-3 weeks ago. It has a 9v connector, but it connects to a battery tray.
Ok so I found the manual and for my model it takes 6 AA's and says in bold letters don't use 9v's or rechargeable batteries. I guess it's just different for each model.
I will let you know how long the batteries last. I won't be going in and out of it too much maybe 3-4 times a week.
-- Jeremy
I got mine 2-3 weeks ago. It has a 9v connector, but it connects to a battery tray.
Ok so I found the manual and for my model it takes 6 AA's and says in bold letters don't use 9v's or rechargeable batteries. I guess it's just different for each model.
I will let you know how long the batteries last. I won't be going in and out of it too much maybe 3-4 times a week.
-- Jeremy
Thanks for the good info. Maybe that's the answer, more batteries instead of a 9 volt battery! I may be sending this one back also! By the way, did you also get a power pack with it????
No mine is just the standard so it doesn't have the connections for the power pack.
-- Jeremy
I have had my gunvault multivault for more than 3 years with no problems. It also has the same 8 batteries that I put in more than 3 years ago. There is a plastic power pack that holds the eight batteries - you then hook up the power pack to the wire with, if I remember correctly, a 9 volt connector.
I have had my gunvault multivault for more than 3 years with no problems. It also has the same 8 batteries that I put in more than 3 years ago. There is a plastic power pack that holds the eight batteries - you then hook up the power pack to the wire with, if I remember correctly, a 9 volt connector.
That is exactly how mine is set up.
-- Jeremy
That is exactly how mine is set up.
-- Jeremy
Just got a call from the dealer and she said they just got a load of them in. I had her check on the battery and she said it takes a nine volt battery only.
So maybe you were lucky enough to pick up an older unit!
soundwave
02-29-2008, 19:33
I have had my gunvault multivault for more than 3 years with no problems. It also has the same 8 batteries that I put in more than 3 years ago. There is a plastic power pack that holds the eight batteries - you then hook up the power pack to the wire with, if I remember correctly, a 9 volt connector.
Yep, that's how mine is as well. No battery change in 2 years so far.
Just got a call from the dealer and she said they just got a load of them in. I had her check on the battery and she said it takes a nine volt battery only.
So maybe you were lucky enough to pick up an older unit!
I ordered mine on Amazon. So I guess it could of been.
-- Jeremy
Out of curiosity I checked the manuals on the gun vault site. And it looks like the Multi Vault Standard and Deluxe have the battery tray. The biometric models look like they take 9 volts. Maybe that is the difference.
Here are the manuals (http://gunvault.com/catalogmanuals/).
-- Jeremy
Out of curiosity I checked the manuals on the gun vault site. And it looks like the Multi Vault Standard and Deluxe have the battery tray. The biometric models look like they take 9 volts. Maybe that is the difference.
Here are the manuals (http://gunvault.com/catalogmanuals/).
-- Jeremy
Jeremy,
Thanks for checking! I guess I'll just get a standard and save me the headache!
Jeremy,
Thanks for checking! I guess I'll just get a standard and save me the headache!
No problem. I really like mine and I can open it quickly in the dark. I can't yet vouch for battery life. I would guess though that is effected by how often you go in and out of it. I have been checking mine every time I open it and I haven't felt it getting hot at all.
-- Jeremy
Airborneveteran
03-03-2008, 18:27
I'm glad I stumbled by this thread. Thanks for sharing!
My wife really wants me to get a biometric safe. This is one of those situations where "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" :ender:
Not to hijack but has anyone tried the "Inprint Pistol Vault"?
It looks like it has a bigger "footprint" than the GunVault safe. Has anyone tried that brand of biometric safe? Any other recommended biometric safes?
ubernoob
03-04-2008, 09:58
This thread needs to be made sticky. Gun safes that are so easily defeated (and burn up) have no place in our households.
It is absolutely stunning that the manufacturers haven't wanted the burned safes back for analysis.
It is also ridiculous that a safe I bought so that I wouldn't return home to get shot by my own gun can be opened with bare hands.
This is completely unacceptable. Someone should file a class action lawsuit.
EDIT: I just tested my GV2000C-DLX and I can't pop it by hitting it. How hard did you guys have to whack it to open it? I'll test my GV1000 later.
Also, to those that have been having problems with batteries... I had to go and search for super-fresh duracells. If you call GV, they will tell you which year to look for on the batteries. IIRC, I looked all over for "good until 2016" batteries.
I'm beginning the process of a design plan for a biometric wall mount shotgun rack. You have to be very careful about power sources, insulation, and proper wiring.
I'm suprised this comany let these out of the barn.
This thread needs to be made sticky. Gun safes that are so easily defeated (and burn up) have no place in our households.
It is absolutely stunning that the manufacturers haven't wanted the burned safes back for analysis.
It is also ridiculous that a safe I bought so that I wouldn't return home to get shot by my own gun can be opened with bare hands.
This is completely unacceptable. Someone should file a class action lawsuit.
EDIT: I just tested my GV2000C-DLX and I can't pop it by hitting it. How hard did you guys have to whack it to open it? I'll test my GV1000 later.
Also, to those that have been having problems with batteries... I had to go and search for super-fresh duracells. If you call GV, they will tell you which year to look for on the batteries. IIRC, I looked all over for "good until 2016" batteries.
The batteries arn't the issue in the burn up. The dealer said it was the 12 volt power supply supplied with the unit!!!! Should have been a 9 volt!!!!!!
The batteries wearing down are another issue!!!!!!!
I'm beginning the process of a design plan for a biometric wall mount shotgun rack. You have to be very careful about power sources, insulation, and proper wiring.
I'm suprised this comany let these out of the barn.
Cochese, would love to give you some input!! Have been thinking about this option a lot. Would like to be laying in bed and be able to reach my hand up and into a secured box where my finger print would release my binelli m4 into my palm ready for action!
Cochese, would love to give you some input!! Have been thinking about this option a lot. Would like to be laying in bed and be able to reach my hand up and into a secured box where my finger print would release my binelli m4 into my palm ready for action!
Once I come heavy into my research stage, I'll be on here alot for some solicited opinions on things. I'm waiting on some test materials as well. Due to my lack of funding (I'm a LEO fulltime and don't make a ton of money) I'm having to take my time getting materials together.
I'm working on a model based off of a in car (police cruiser) remote release shotgun mount that I'll be attempting to add a reader to. Additionally, I'm thinking of picking up a Mossberg LocBox for additional design options.
Once I come heavy into my research stage, I'll be on here alot for some solicited opinions on things. I'm waiting on some test materials as well. Due to my lack of funding (I'm a LEO fulltime and don't make a ton of money) I'm having to take my time getting materials together.
I'm working on a model based off of a in car (police cruiser) remote release shotgun mount that I'll be attempting to add a reader to. Additionally, I'm thinking of picking up a Mossberg LocBox for additional design options.
Make it vertical!! I'll be your first buyer!
Make it vertical!! I'll be your first buyer!
:supergrin:
Vertical is the first one to be finished, if all works out. I'll follow it up with horizontal and vertical multi-level models to accomodate several rifles and shotguns, including modified weapons with rails, side saddles and other items which are traditionally prohibitive for storage. ;)
Once I come heavy into my research stage, I'll be on here alot for some solicited opinions on things. I'm waiting on some test materials as well. Due to my lack of funding (I'm a LEO fulltime and don't make a ton of money) I'm having to take my time getting materials together.
I'm working on a model based off of a in car (police cruiser) remote release shotgun mount that I'll be attempting to add a reader to. Additionally, I'm thinking of picking up a Mossberg LocBox for additional design options.
FYI http://www.bigskyracks.com/
You guys just scared me!!! I have a GunValut 2000 Deluxe (two shelves), but it runs on batteries. I have 3x30RD AR-15 Magpul Mags (loaded) and 3x15RD G19 mags in the vault, along with about 75 rounds of 9mm (in the boxes).
Scary dudes, scary!
FYI http://www.bigskyracks.com/
I have several BSR ELS systems in service in a number of Crown Victorias at work. :)
AJSully421
03-10-2008, 13:53
To answer someone's question about how hard to hit the safe to test it... not so hard as to hurt yourself, or break the box, but it needs to be a firm quick hit...
The vaults i tried were the ones that were the smallest, maybe 12x14x10 or something, the bigger one's might be better? But they can be defeated.
Would be fine to keep the kids out, but not anyone who knows about this, and it is apparently well known in the industry if this guy who was selling them knew about it.
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