Mystery key

[Bravebat1]

Some help please.

My children play for a local rugby club. There is some floodlighting that has an outside control box. The box requires the key in the photos below to operate.

The club are down to there last key and are struggling to source anymore. Does anyone know where I might find some or are we just better off replacing the control box like for like?

I’ve tried the manufacturer Lewden who were not very helpful.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jimmy



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[JohnW2]

The club are down to there last key and are struggling to source anymore. Does anyone know where I might find some or are we just better off replacing the control box like for like? I’ve tried the manufacturer Lewden who were not very helpful.

If you don't succeed in finding one ... if the key is as 'simple' as it looks, have you considered trying to make one (or getting someone to try to make one, if such is not 'your thing')?

Have you looked on eBay? !!

Kind Regards, John

 

[securespark]

If Lewden can't help, maybe a blacksmith could make a copy?

 

[JohnW2]

If Lewden can't help, maybe a blacksmith could make a copy?

Much the same as my suggestion, but I would suspect that a model maker or other 'craftsman' may be more appropriate than a blacksmith

Kind Regards, John

 

[OwainDIYer]

the switch might be one of these
http://www.e-lec.biz/elec_details.php?pc=PD202H
and they might be able to supply a key.

 

[JohnW2]

the switch might be one of these
http://www.e-lec.biz/elec_details.php?pc=PD202H
and they might be able to supply a key.

My interpretation that the OP was talking about the key for the enclosure/cabinet/box - not a keyswitch within it - but I may, of course, be wrong! On reflection, he did say "to operate it", so maybe I was wrong. However, my original answer remains the same!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Bravebat1]

Sorry I didn't make it clear. The key operates the on-off switch for the lights.

Thanks so far.

 

[grahamw286]

Ye, I'd say ebay is your best bet. Maybe put an add on gumtree explaining what your in need of and if any one has one of these?

 

[securespark]

Quick search on ebay reveals no key.

I have emailed Lewden, begging for help....

 

[Bravebat1]

I got this from them today

Hi James
We obsoleted the product for 2years and cannot help you . terribly sorry .
Cannot even point you to anyone as wholesalers do not stock them as well.



I might have a go a making one

 

[Iggifer]

without knowing the dimensions of the key, you could try one of these

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/special-keys-wrenches/7258076/

can get cheaper versions from supermarkets / homebase etc and grind off one of the tabs on the outside

of course if the bits they've added to the inside disengage some form of interlock it's won't work, but will only cost you £1

 

[333rocky333]

look out for a newish parked up wheely bin, quite often theres a plastic triangular key cable tied to the wheel that the owner may not have been aware of
Bit of remoddeling may do the job

may be better posting a pic of the switch and housing , it would proberly be easier to just replace with an ip and mains rated keyswitch

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Could be worth changing the switching mechanism, but if you ever lost the last key, desperate measure would be to, soften a plastic pen end up using lighter, then place in keyhole, let the plastic go hard, then remove, then you have a "home-made key!"

 

[GarethW]

You could use: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-8-Dr-UN...789?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a11672cd as a last resort

See if you can replace the switch with one of these: http://www.maplin.co.uk/components/switches/key-switches

OR to look the b00locks... try http://www.maplin.co.uk/single-channel-wireless-remote-control-kit-46950 12 amp and 30 meter range !!

Gareth

 

[RF Lighting]

I depends what the switch is actually switching. IIRC those lewden switches are good old fashioned properly engineered switches.

The two switches gareth links to are most likely going to be unsuitable.

The keyswitch is not going to be rated for mains use, and the wiresless thing whist mains rated, is rated to 12A peak / 5A continuous @ AC 230V whatever that means, so if the load is some inductive floodlights, that thing wont last more than a couple of on / off cycles.

Find a local foundry / hobby model maker, and get them to cast you a couple of new keys from the existing one you have.