Ilco "marlok" key

[PhoneMan]

Old computers are cool! I've always been a geek as well of somewhat of a tech historian in a way. My main collection is antique telephones, which for me encompasses anything from the early 80's on back, but I also like old computer/electronic stuff too. (And locks/ keys of course!)

[dll932]

I retrofitted a Marlok cylinder into a mortise lock maybe 25 years ago. Pretty flash stuff at the time.

[PhoneMan]

I retrofitted a Marlok cylinder into a mortise lock maybe 25 years ago. Pretty flash stuff at the time.

No doubt! I bet it was expensive too! Also looks like it would be hard to spoof, unlike RFID.

[rai]

You can see the red dots through the key simply with any penlight, if the room is dark and you hold the blade of the key between two fingers so that the fingers block the flashlight on either side of the key, you will also probably see some red light coming through your fingers, but you can see all the code of the little holes.

I think the lock is simply a reader that can read any key and programing is simply telling it which code to green light. I always wondered why these locks were a failure, Phoneman or someone, says dirt is the problem, could be low battery too, my wireless mouse has a visible red light in it when it has a fresh battery, but becomes invisible when the battery is down a bit.

[PhoneMan]

Rai, someone else said dirt was the problem, and yes, I've seen the dots with an LED penlight. The lock is just a reader, as you guessed, and from what I've read, there is a controller for each door that is wired to the main computer. when the computer gets the code, it just tells the controller to either stay locked or unlock the door by providing power to the solenoid in the latch. The link I posted further up really goes into detail on it. here it is:
http://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/terrorism_and_pyrotechnics/howto/Marlock_System.txt

The hotel I got my key from was a $300 a night hotel, so I bet they keep it in good running shape. (guests wouldn't like a lock that only worked half the time!) And yes, they gave me a key to keep, after I explained I collect them!

[GWiens2001]

There is another Marlok key for sale on eBay, in case somebody is looking for one.

Gordon