I have to admit that the company WeLock and asked if I would be interested in testing the Touch41 or Touch41mini locking cylinder, I was skeptical at first.
With the Touch41/Touch41mini locking cylinder system, it is possible to convert your own house or apartment door by simply replacing the locking cylinder so that only a matching (pre-registered) fingerprint is required for opening and locking.
Especially as a German (“Hello German Angst“) it is somehow traditional to be skeptical at first when new technology tries to enter the good old everyday life. Especially when this technology could also be security-critical and access to property, data, people or anything else is at stake.
So for me there were a few points at stake, which I wanted to clarify during the test phase
- Do only registered users have access?
- Are legitimate fingerprints really recognized reliably?
- Is the power supply reliable?
- Fühle ich mich wohl damit “den Schlüssel” zu meinem zuhause nicht mehr in meiner Tasche dafür aber digital hinterlegt zu haben?
You can find the answers in the conclusion at the end of the article. 🙂
Before the test phase could begin, however, the locking cylinder had to be installed. I have described the individual steps in the following article.
Safety instructions
I know the following notes are always kind of annoying and seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, many people who knew "better" have lost eyes, fingers or other things due to carelessness or injured themselves. Data loss is almost negligible in comparison, but even these can be really annoying. Therefore, please take five minutes to read the safety instructions. Because even the coolest project is not worth injury or other trouble.
https://www.nerdiy.de/sicherheitshinweise/
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Requirements
Installing the Touch41 system is really easy. Even if you are not a regular handyman, it can be done within about 15 minutes 🙂 .
Required tool:
No additional tools are required for installation. All required tools were supplied with both locking cylinder systems.
Required material:
Depending on the thickness of your door leaf, you will need either the Touch41(50-100mm) or the Touch41mini(30-70mm) system. More information about the dimensions of the locking cylinders can be found in the next section.
Currently there is also a coupon code that you can use. With it you get a discount of 53€.
The code is: CNHD53
Just enter it during the checkout process and the discount will be deducted automatically.
| Number | Link |
|---|---|
| 1x | WeLock Touch41 locking cylinder |
| 1x | WeLock Touch41mini locking cylinder |
| 3x | AAA battery Buy at Amazon |
The Touch41 or Touch 41mini locking cylinder system
The Touch41 and Touch41mini locking cylinder systems are identical in terms of their technical capabilities. Only the dimensions of the locking cylinders vary as follows.
- The Touch41 System is suitable for door thicknesses from 50-100mm.
- The Touch41mini System is suitable for door thicknesses from 30-70mm.
Both systems can be registered via Fingerprint, RFID transponder or via Bluetooth unlock.
Touch41mini
It is in the photos below Touch41mini locking cylinder system shown. In addition to the locking cylinder, the scope of delivery also includes three RFID transponders, replacement screws, sealing caps and the tools required for installation (a Phillips screwdriver and an Allen key).
So that you can better estimate the dimensions of the lock cylinder (especially the distances of the threaded hole for the forend screw) I have created the following photos.
The total length of the cylinder (see photo) is:
- 55mm
The distance from the left (outside of the door) to the threaded hole for the forend screw amounts:
- 27mm
The distance from the right (door inside) to the threaded hole for the forend screw is (likewise):
- 27mm
Touch41
It is in the photos below Touch41 locking cylinder system shown. In addition to the locking cylinder, the scope of delivery also includes three RFID transponders, replacement screws, sealing caps and the tools required for installation (a Phillips screwdriver and an Allen key).
So that you can better estimate the dimensions of the lock cylinder (especially the distances of the threaded hole for the forend screw) I have created the following photos.
The total length of the cylinder (see photo) is:
- 69.5mm
The distance from the left (outside of the door) to the threaded hole for the forend screw amounts:
- 40mm
The distance from the right (door inside) to the threaded hole for the forend screw is (likewise):
- 29.5mm
Remove the old lock cylinder
Before you can start installing the Touch41/Touch41mini locking cylinder, you must first remove the old locking cylinder (of course).
You will need a Phillips screwdriver (e.g. the one supplied) and the key to the lock cylinder you want to remove.
Now open the door and locate the forend screw (marked with the red arrow in the picture).
You must now unscrew these until...
...you can take them out completely.
Now insert the key into the lock cylinder and pull the lock cylinder including the key out of the door leaf.
To do this, the key must be turned approx. 30° (in relation to the vertical alignment) to the left or right (depending on which side of the door leaf the key is inserted from). Only in this position can the locking cylinder be pulled out of the door leaf.
After removing the cylinder, you should be able to look through the hole in the door panel as shown in the picture.
Installing the Touch41/Touch41mini locking cylinder
Now you can start installing the Touch41 or Touch41mini locking cylinder. I will show the installation here on the Touch41mini. The installation of the Touch41 system is identical and just as simple. The only difference here is the dimensions of the locking cylinder.
To be able to insert the lock cylinder into the door leaf, you must first remove the knob - which will later be visible on the inside of the door.
To do this, loosen the grub screw shown until...
... you can pull the knob completely off the square bar.
Now slide the locking cylinder prepared in this way From the outside through the door leaf to...
... the square bar becomes visible on the inside.
Now fasten the locking cylinder in the door leaf using the previously removed forend screw.
Make sure that the nudge screw is tight and flush. But also make sure that you do not overtighten the screw or damage the thread by applying too much force.
Wenn Ihr – genauso gerne wie Ich – einen Akkuschrauber für “Schraubarbeiten” benutzt, könnt Ihr dies recht einfach beachten, indem ihr die in vielen Akkuschraubern integrierte Drehmomentbegrenzung korrekt einstellt.
After installation, you can slide the knob back onto the square bar on the inside.
Leave enough space to the fixed parts of the door leaf.
I left about enough space between the knob and the door leaf so that the supplied Allen wrench just fits between the knob and the door leaf.
Overall, the installation of the Touch41 locking cylinder system is really easy. Even if you don't have a screwdriver in your hand every day, it should be done within 15 minutes.
The power supply of the Welock Touch41 locking cylinder system
The system is powered by three AAA or micro cells. Of course, you can also use rechargeable batteries. However, the battery display is then not correct (due to the different cell voltage of rechargeable batteries). I personally would use AAA cells - as recommended by Welock.
In case of an emergency (i.e. if the inserted battery should be empty), you can also supply the system with power via a USB port accessible in the front.
In order to be able to insert the batteries into the operating piece of the system, you must first remove the stainless steel cover.
To do this, you must completely unscrew the grub screw shown using the Allen key provided.
You can then pull the stainless steel cover off the front of the control panel.
To open the battery compartment, you now have to remove the Phillips screw shown.
This is located under the front cover and can be unscrewed with the included screwdriver.
Now you can insert the three AAA batteries as shown.
After that, you can reattach the front cover and the stainless steel cover.
Another view of the inserted AAA batteries.
Emergency power supply via the USB port behind the front cover
In the event that the inserted AAA batteries should be empty, that system can also be supplied with power via a USB port (for example, with the help of a power bank).
The USB port is located in the area marked in red behind the front cover.
The front cover can be folded back without tools.
Conclusion
As I said, I was skeptical at first as to whether the Touch41 locking cylinder system would deliver what it promises. After almost four weeks of testing, however, it is clear to me that I will leave it permanently installed.
Only after I had installed the Touch41 system did I realize that I had the same initial skepticism about unlocking the smartphone via fingerprint.
Similar to the smartphone, I quickly realized that there is no need to compromise on security. The system has always reliably recognized the fingerprint of authorized users. At the same time, fingerprints from non-authorized users have always been correctly rejected. So, these important basic functions work for me without any problems and always reliably so far.
At the same time, I find the increased comfort so pleasant that I no longer want to do without it in everyday life.
Just dash to the mailbox or car without taking the key with you? No problem. Even sports or jogging is much more fun when you don't have to carry a rattling bunch of keys in your hostess pocket.
Overall, the advantages and disadvantages for me are as follows:
Disadvantages:
- You have to get over yourself to trust the technology
Advantages:
- Mein “Schlüssel” kann nicht mehr geklaut oder “mal eben” kopiert werden
- I can no longer forget my key
- Locking yourself out because the door falls into the lock due to the draught, for example, is no longer possible
- “Schlüssel nachmachen” ist schneller und günstiger (einfach den Zugangs berechtigten Nutzer im Schloss registrieren)
For me, this means that my good old apartment door key has had its day.
If you have further questions about the system please leave me a comment. I will try to answer them directly or have them answered by the manufacturer 🙂 .
Have fun with the project
I hope everything worked as described for you. If not or you have questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments. I will then add this to the article if necessary.
Ideas for new projects are always welcome. 🙂
PS Many of these projects - especially the hardware projects - cost a lot of time and money. Of course I do this because I enjoy it, but if you think it's cool that I share the information with you, I would be happy about a small donation to the coffee fund. 🙂
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