Battery master key sizing

[ptr_drvr]

Hello folks.

I recently bought an FIA battery master key to keep as a spare, but when I went to test it, it appears that the diameter of the barrel that inserts into the car is ever so slightly too wide.

Is the battery master key a standard size on the Caterham and have I got a dodgy (cheap) key, or is the key on the Caterham a facy size and I only bought a regular?

Thanks in advance.

Pic for comparison:

[Jonathan Kay]

IIRC there's a recent discussion of this with an explanation... but I can't find it!

Jonathan

[ptr_drvr]

I did have a look through the site but couldn't see anything on the key specifically.

[MattB]

Cut off keys

[Dan R]

What he said 

[ptr_drvr]

Interesting. The SBFS page notes that the shaft is a different diameter from old style to new, but that the pin is also different. It seems like the key I have bought has the old style pin, but perhaps the new style shaft diameter. That's frustrating.

I might have a go with the sandpaper and see if I can "machine" down the diameter, otherwise it'll be a replacement.

Seeing that many customers are very unhappy with lead times from SBFS, are they likely to be any quicker when this isn't an item they're making themselves (I assume)?

[Dave Hardcastle]

 I wouldn't hold your breath

[Iain McCallum]

i have also just bought some spare keys (not from SBFS), but i found that they didn't engage properly due to the 'barrel' being too long. I just filed down the end of the key  (by quite a lot!) and it now fits fine but not as 'free' as the original. Fine as a spare though.

[Dave connors]

I had the same with mine but the opposite way around,  the diameter of the barrel I have is bigger than others I have bought as spares,  I have a boxfull of keys that don't engage properly the only solution is to change the switch if I want a spare key to fit. If anyone has a spare key with a diameter of around 11.8mm it would be appreciated 

[Roger Ford]

There's loads of them on eBay (search "cut off key") you could try asking the vendors to measure them, or just order a couple on spec.

[Dave connors]

I've bought a few from different suppliers non are this size, the original switch was from demon tweeks so a decent supplier but they were unable to help looks like a new switch if I want a spare key.

[Golf Juliet Tango]

I have cut off keys of two sizes too. I haven't done a complete cross check as the ones on the keys for the Crossflow fit and the others on the keys for the 21 fit that. 

[John Vine]

I've bought Grayston keys from here and here.  They fit just fine.

JV

[ptr_drvr]

The spare I have bought came from eBay. I'll get the calipers out later to check the difference in measurement and so I know what i'm looking for when I buy a replacement.

Thanks for your input folks.

[andy_harries]

I had the same issue and just used a dremmel to sand a mm or so off to make it fit.  

[Dave connors]

I must have a one off switch can't sand anything off as all the other keys I've bought are too small on the locating diameter the graystones key is the same 1mm too small looks like replacing the whole switch