SentrySafe Portable Safe with Keypad & Knob (P008E, PL048E): Codes

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Safe lock troubleshooting › Sentry Safe › Sentry / Master Lock portable lock box with keypad and knob (P008E, P008EML, P021E, PL048E)

The SentrySafe portable lock boxes with an electronic keypad (the P008E, P021E, P008EML and PL048E) have a keypad with the numbers and a star (*) and a pound (#) key, a round knob and a key lock with a cap. A setting button inside the lid is used to set two personal codes. This guide covers how to open it, set the codes, use the override key, replace the batteries, and what the light and lockout mean.

• How to open
• Battery
• Set your codes
• Lights
• Lockout
• Troubleshooting
• Manuals

Want the whole manual? Jump to the manufacturer download links.

Is this your lock?

• A small portable steel box with a silver panel on the front: a keypad (1 to 9, *, 0, #), a round knob, and a key lock with a cap. A small light sits above the keypad.
• It comes with a tethering cable and two override keys (packed in the packaging). A lock reference number is engraved on the key lock cylinder.
• The lock has two personal codes, each 1 to 8 digits.
• Models in Sentry’s manuals: P008E and P021E (401163), P008EML (402821, Master Lock branded, with many languages), PL048E (P56232).

How to open it

1. Enter either personal code (1 to 8 digits), then press # (the manuals also allow *).
2. The light turns green (it flashes green).
3. Turn the knob counterclockwise to the unlocked position.
4. Lift the lid from the outer edge.

With the override key

1. Take the cover off the key lock.
2. Put the override key in the key lock and turn the key counterclockwise, a quarter turn, to the unlocked position.
3. Turn the knob counterclockwise a quarter turn to the unlocked position.
4. Lift the lid from the outer edge.

• Locking: to lock the box, turn the knob and the key back to the locked position (the key, if you used it).
• After you enter a code, the lock resets to ready by itself after 5 seconds if you do not turn the knob.
• The number keys flash the green light as you press them. If you do not press a key for 20 seconds, the lock returns to ready and you must enter the code again.
• The override keys are packed in the packaging material of a new box: take them out before you throw the packaging away.

How to change the battery

Sentry’s Master Lock P008EML sheet calls for four AA alkaline batteries (we recommend Procell). The P008E, P021E and PL048E sheets show the same sliding battery cover but do not give the number or size of the batteries, so check yours. The red light comes on when the batteries need to be replaced.

1. Open the box.
2. Slide the cover off the battery compartment.
3. Put the batteries in the right way round, as marked.
4. Put the cover back and close the lid.

• Important: when the lock power fails because the batteries are dead, your codes are kept for about 3 hours. After that the codes are lost and must be set again. Change the batteries as soon as the red light comes on.

How to set your two codes

First code

1. Press the red (setting) button on the inside of the lid. (The PL048E sheet calls it the orange button.) The light turns orange and the lock beeps 2 times.
2. Enter your chosen code (1 to 8 digits) and press # (or *) to confirm.
3. The light flashes orange and the lock beeps 2 times: the first code is saved.

Second code

1. Press 0 two times.
2. Press the red (setting) button inside the lid. The light turns orange and the lock beeps 3 times.
3. Enter your second code (1 to 8 digits) and press # (or *).
4. The light flashes orange and the lock beeps 2 times: the second code is saved.

• The manuals do not give a way to delete a single code: set a new code over it.

Lights and beeps

Wrong codes

When a wrong code is entered, the light flashes red three times. Three wrong codes in a row lock the box automatically for 20 seconds. Six wrong codes in a row lock it for 5 minutes.

If it still won’t open

The red light is on

The batteries are low. Replace them right away, because the codes are only kept for about 3 hours once the power fails.

I changed the batteries and now the code does not work

If the box was without power for more than about 3 hours, the codes were lost. Open it with the override key and set the codes again.

The knob will not turn

You have only 5 seconds after the code. Enter the code again and turn the knob right away. Check that the key (if you used it) is in the unlocked position.

I lost the override key

Sentry says a lock reference number (engraved on the key lock cylinder) is needed to order replacement keys. Call us if you need the box opened.

Download the full manufacturer instructions

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About this guide. This is an independent guide from Steve’s Lock, Safe and Alarm, a safe and lock dealer. Brand and model names belong to their owners and are used only to help you identify your lock. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers. These steps summarize the manufacturers’ own instructions; your lock may be a different version, so if anything here does not match what your lock does, follow your manual or call us. Always change codes with the safe door open, and test the new code several times before you close the door.

Steps last checked against the manufacturer documents on October 19, 2026.