How to Maximise Your August Smart Lock's Battery Life
The August Smart Lock is a fantastic convenience, but having to change the batteries every few weeks can be a real hassle. If you're getting 'low battery' notifications far more often than you'd expect, there's likely an underlying issue causing the rapid drain. August locks are designed for batteries to last for several months, not weeks.
This guide will help you identify the common causes of short battery life and provide practical solutions to get the most out of every set of batteries.
## Top Causes of Rapid Battery Drain
- Poor Signal Strength: The lock is struggling to maintain a connection with your phone (Bluetooth) or the August Connect Wi-Fi bridge.
- Door Misalignment: The motor has to work extra hard to move a deadbolt that is rubbing against the doorframe.
- Incorrect Batteries: Using low-quality or rechargeable batteries instead of the recommended type.
- Extreme Temperatures: Very cold weather can reduce the effective capacity of batteries.
- High Usage: The lock is being operated very frequently throughout the day.
Troubleshooting Steps to Extend August Battery Life
Work through these steps to diagnose and fix what's causing the power drain.
### 1. Use the Correct, High-Quality Batteries
This is the most critical first step. The type and quality of batteries you use make a huge difference.
- Required Type: Use four, new CR123 Lithium 3V batteries.
- Use Reputable Brands: Always purchase batteries from well-known, trusted brands like Duracell, Energizer, or Panasonic. Inexpensive, generic batteries from online marketplaces often have a much lower actual capacity and can't provide the power needed for the motor.
- Do NOT Use Rechargeable Batteries: Rechargeable CR123 batteries (often called RCR123) have a higher voltage that can damage the lock and a lower capacity that will not last. Their use may void your warranty.
### 2. Check Your Door's Alignment
This is the most common mechanical cause of battery drain. The lock's motor should operate with minimal resistance.
- The Friction Test: Open your door and manually operate the lock with your thumb turn. Note how easily it turns. Now, close the door and operate it again. If it's significantly harder to turn when the door is closed, you have an alignment problem. You should not have to push, pull, or lift the door to get the lock to work smoothly.
- How to Fix It: The deadbolt is rubbing against the strike plate on your doorframe. You may need to slightly adjust the position of the strike plate or use a file to enlarge the opening for the deadbolt. The goal is for the bolt to slide in and out completely freely.
### 3. Improve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Signal Strength
If the lock's radio has to constantly transmit at high power to maintain a connection, the batteries will drain quickly.
- Check the August Connect Bridge Location: The Connect Wi-Fi bridge communicates with your lock via Bluetooth. For an optimal signal, it should be plugged into a power outlet within 4-5 metres (15 feet) of the lock, and ideally with a clear line of sight.
- Check Wi-Fi Signal to the Bridge: Ensure the location where you've plugged in the Connect bridge receives a strong Wi-Fi signal from your router. A weak Wi-Fi signal will cause the bridge to use more power.
- Phone Proximity: The lock connects directly to your phone via Bluetooth for features like Auto-Unlock. If you have connection issues, ensure Bluetooth is always enabled on your phone when you are at home.
### 4. Calibrate Your Lock
After changing the batteries, it's essential to recalibrate the lock within the August app. This teaches the lock the precise start and end points for the locked and unlocked positions. Without proper calibration, the motor may try to turn further than necessary, wasting energy on every operation.
- Go to Lock Settings: In the August app, navigate to the settings for the specific lock.
- Find the Calibration Option: Look for an option like Calibrate Lock and follow the on-screen instructions.
### 5. Check Advanced Settings
Some features, while convenient, can use more power.
- Auto-Unlock: This feature requires the lock to communicate with your phone more frequently. If your battery drain is extreme, you could try temporarily disabling it to see if it makes a significant difference.