ok someone help me here. Googled smart lock - checked out the conexis L2 from yale, and the Ultion Nuki. Both say they work with multipoint locks. But they also say you have to pull the handle up to lock so they can’t auto-lock when you leave.
My front door is UPVC, if I lift the handle and a couple of prongs pop out top and bottom. So I assumed thats multipoint. But, if you don’t lift the handle, you can still lock the door with a key from the inside or outside which pops out a tab/deadbolt thingy. So I was assuming a smart lock would turn the lock - locking it without multipoint if I haven’t lifted the handle, but locking it with multipoint if I do lift it. The lifting part would be separate from the lock part.
From the inside if not locked, turning the handle retracts the little triangle wedge bit so you can open the door, but the outer handle isn’t connected to that so if you turn it, it doesn’t open the door from the outside - you have to use the key which then retracts the wedge bit.
Does that mean if I get one, and forget to lift the handle when people leave the house, anyone can waltz up and turn the handle and let themselves in? or is the outer handle not connected like mine currently is?
Can’t find any videos or articles online explaining in detail - only they do specifically mention you have to lift to lock.
You find locks are a little more complicated when you look into how they all work, For me I grew up with the traditional Yale lock - the latch engages and no outer handle - so the door is secure when you close it behind you when you go out and a key has to be used to retract the latch to get back in.
Now thats how I have my UPVC multipoint set up, I can lift the handle up to engage the multipoint locking but I only ever do that when away on holiday - the rest of the time my door is held just by the latch - so in effect its like the Yale - the key is needed to retract the latch to get in - The lock is known as a split spindle lock - so if you turn the outer handle to get in the handle does not engage the lock - it freely spins.
I wanted a Smart lock - but they work differently but achieve the same effect as the yale.
Smartlocks work like a split spindle though they use a fixed spindle - so the inside handle moves at the same time as the outer is moved, inside the smartlock the mechanism splits the spindle - It has a steel pin that is driven into a slot on the shaft of the handle assembly by a tiny motor that has a screw which moves a plate towards the centre spindle that pushes the pin into engagement, when the lock locks the motor retracts the plate and the steel pin disengages - which allows the outer handle to spin freely - so in effect the door is locked by the latch.
The inner handle will always retract the multipoints and open the door even when the door is locked - so no need for a key or unlock command to operate the lock.
If you lift the handle it operates the multipoint locks - but pressing the handle down it doesn't disengage the multipoints until you tell the lock to unlock, therefore you have a choice - walk out, pull the door shut behind you and walk away - the door handle will not operate the latch - so the door is locked, You can also lift the handle and engage multipoints and walk away - so now everything is locked - anyone pressing the handle down wont disengage the multipoints or the latch - when you return and operate the lock and press the handle multipoints and latch will both retract and the door opens.
You can swap out all the different parts of the locking system, The lock and deadbolt and the multipoint parts are separate and are easily exchanged - there are also what are called "Slam to lock" mechanisms - known also as auto locking - so when the door is closed it triggers the multipoint all to engage - these also work fine with Smart Locks.
I did lots of research online to understand how they all work, also dismantled a SmartLock to find out just how they worked, The one thing I did learn is that the retailers of these Smartlocks haven't got a clue how they work, what's inside them and really cant advise with any confidence what is and is not suitable - to be honest they dont even know what is compatible with what and no knowledge of the different type of locks/multipoints.
I also spoke at length with Leicesters leading Locksmith - a business that's traded maybe a hundred years - they were absolutely clueless - or perhaps I just got the village idiot on the phone when i called - but they only helped the confusion.
Back to your case - You have a split spindle set up, If you get the Simpled or Prolok slimline Multi lock its supplied with a solid spindle, when the lock is locked the outer handle will behave like yours currently does - outer handle turns but doesn't retract the latch - so the door remains secure. ( I presume your description of the triangle wedge bit is indeed the latch)
If you simply leave the house, pull the door and walk away without lifting the handle (like I always do) your door will remain secure - just like the old Yale lock, If you lift the handle and engage the multipoints the door is at its most secure and the handle will not disengage them if the handle is pressed until you operate the unlock.
I bought a Prolok and a Simpled lock - inside they are almost identical but Simpled lock was less than half the price and it has all the same functions, but be aware you do need to be a bit brave because you have to drill holes through your UPVC door to allow for the cables as the battery box is located in the inner handle assembly and the Euro lock you have will become redundant, you remove it because its not needed and the hole left becomes one of the securing points when its all bolted together - but you do get a template for this and its not critical in that you need to be exact - and best to use a stepped drill bit because some of the holes do seem quite large.
If what I've said is a bit confusing its because I don't know what your level of skill is re DIY or your understanding - and perhaps I'm taking some things for granted as being common knowledge - like the triangle wedge bit being the latch - so feel free to come back at me with any specific questions.
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