Avocet ABS cylinder won't unlock when frosty

[Xen]

Hi all,

I have 3 keyed-alike avocet ABS cylinders for my garage - one for the normal door and half-cylinders for the up-and-overs. The problem I have is that the ones in the up-and-overs struggle to unlock with the key when it's frosty out. I assume the problem is likely that the magnet does not have enough pull to shift that particular pin when it's a bit frosty, where as all the others are mechanical and so free up easily as the key is inserted.

Any locksmiths or pickers on here that might have a suggestion to disable that magnetic pin, or other solution?

 

[aveatry]

Not smith but all the ABS ones have a magnet - that is their special feature. Maybe there is moisture in the lock that freezes. Or its just sticky - try carbon lube.
No point in trying to disable the magnet as that is the whole point of that lock so you may as well replace the cylinder for a cheaper non magnetic one.

 

[Xen]

Not smith but all the ABS ones have a magnet - that is their special feature. Maybe there is moisture in the lock that freezes. Or its just sticky - try carbon lube.
No point in trying to disable the magnet as that is the whole point of that lock so you may as well replace the cylinder for a cheaper non magnetic one.

It's definitely a frost issue causing the sticking and likely because of the lack of mechanical force - not a problem with normal pins. I don't mind disabling the magnetic pin on the half cyls - up-and-overs have plenty of other ways to break-in that the cylinder would not be the vulnerability. I do want to keep them however as I'd bought them to replace the original ones so I just have one key for all of my outbuilding locks.

 

[aveatry]

It's definitely a frost issue causing the sticking and likely because of the lack of mechanical force - not a problem with normal pins. I don't mind disabling the magnetic pin on the half cyls - up-and-overs have plenty of other ways to break-in that the cylinder would not be the vulnerability. I do want to keep them however as I'd bought them to replace the original ones so I just have one key for all of my outbuilding locks.

I get your 1 key point, I can not think of a way to disable the magnet. Maybe try taking the cylinder out and using a hair dryer on it as it sounds like moisture in there stopping the magnetic moving let it cool down and use some proper lock powder in it.

 

[Xen]

I'm not sure about powder, does that clog up if it gets wet? I've ordered some Liqui Moly Door Lock Care spray which apparently prevents icing up, worth a shot. The cylinders are only a week old and that was the first night of frost they got, so I think this might be a recurring theme

 

[crank39]

Liqui Moly door lock spray is used for car door locks not for euro cylinders, you need a graphite spray or power, graphite is a dry lubricant, and oil based sprays will work for a week then start to clog up as the dust gets blown in and clings to the oil

 

[aveatry]

I'm not sure about powder, does that clog up if it gets wet? I've ordered some Liqui Moly Door Lock Care spray which apparently prevents icing up, worth a shot. The cylinders are only a week old and that was the first night of frost they got, so I think this might be a recurring theme

As crank39 says use the graphite powder. But on the other hand they are new locks so shouldn't need it.
How do you know its the magnetic pin anyway.