Colortran Encore board question (kind of weird one)

[BinkyLD]

So I've been e-mailed by a guy who's doing a show at a local middle school. They have a Colortran Encore board but they've apparently lost the on/off key for it so at the moment they're running lights by flipping breakers on and off manually. They have no money to rent a replacement and they have a show on Wednesday.

My name got passed to them as someone who might be able to help, but I don't really know that board. So beyond telling them to contact Leviton tech support and try and get a replacement key, I'm not sure what I can do for them. And since the Encore is discontinued, I'm not sure how helpful that would be, either.

Anyone know if you can open one of those up and bypass the key lock manually, or are they out of luck?

 

[avkid]

It's a fairly simple wafer type key switch.
Know how to pick a lock?

 

[avkid]

Anyone know if you can open one of those up and bypass the key lock manually, or are they out of luck?

You can replace the lock with the proper type of switch.

 

[LightStud]

Do they not have have locksmiths in southern Florida? "Hot-wring" the console is not recommended. It will void the warranty.

Tape an extra key underneath or hide one inside for future crises.

 

[Les]

Do they not have have locksmiths in southern Florida? "Hot-wring" the console is not recommended. It will void the warranty.

Tape an extra key underneath or hide one inside for future crises.

Is there a Colortran Encore out there still under warranty?? lol

 

[SteveB]

So I've been e-mailed by a guy who's doing a show at a local middle school. They have a Colortran Encore board but they've apparently lost the on/off key for it so at the moment they're running lights by flipping breakers on and off manually. They have no money to rent a replacement and they have a show on Wednesday.

My name got passed to them as someone who might be able to help, but I don't really know that board. So beyond telling them to contact Leviton tech support and try and get a replacement key, I'm not sure what I can do for them. And since the Encore is discontinued, I'm not sure how helpful that would be, either.

Anyone know if you can open one of those up and bypass the key lock manually, or are they out of luck?

Nothing to lose by using a jumper to bypass the switch for the time being, but long term, I'd replace the key, lock it on, then remove the key (if possible).

Steve Short at LiteTrol Service probably has tons of theses keys.

516 681-5288

Steve B.

 

[waynehoskins]

No experience with C'tran keys, but my experience is that there aren't many different keyswitch cuts used. All the old Strands used the same key (but the LP90 and LBM were completely different switches and blanks); and the Lockout key for the (now-retired) Teatronics board at the high school is the same as some other keyswitch I needed a while back .. EC board, maybe?; and all the Genie lifts I've seen use the same key as the Texas Scenic motor control boxes, and of course with Mid Atlantic racks there are but two or three keys usually.

So it would likely be as simple as finding another C'tran key of the same sort of vintage.

But in the short term at least, I can't see any reason not to jumper it.

 

[avkid]

Wait, you're in a school?

Call maintenance, it's guaranteed that at least one person in the dept. knows their way around a lock.

 

[TheDonkey]

Am I the only one that noticed the term "Flipping Breakers"?

Although I understand how it may seem neciccary at some points to resort to this, don;t do it unless the stage is, at that moment, pitch black,

Breakers aren't designed to be used as switches, and flipping them on and off like that is a really bad idea,

If you were going skydiving, knew that your main parachute has a hole in it, would you use your backup(over and overon many jumps)? Sure you may live the first time, but what about the next?

 

[Sony]

I would personally just take out the key switch and replace it with a toggle switch. I've always hated those key switches for this very reason. If you're really that nervous about someone accidentally turning the board off during a show then replace it with an aircraft style safety toggle which locks in the ON position.

 

[venuetech]

Call Maintenance (is there a echo in here) Not only do they have folks who deal with key problems on a daily basis, they may actually have the very key needed, filed away in the lockshop. Often they can create a replacement with the proper information

 

[Anonymous067]

+1 for the maintenance call!
Usually when schools are built the janitors/custodians get a copy of every single key, no matter what it goes to or if they'll ever use it.

I'm willing to bet SOMEBODY has a spare around hidden somewhere, whether it be in a key safe, with another department who once had access to it, etc.

Its too bad you don't go to MY school...we have this band director...who never has less than 50 keys on his belt at any given time. (we're all convinced he sleeps with his keys too). I'm sure one of those would fit. LOL...

as a continuation of the joke above...about twenty of those keys are area keys for the various areas around the building, auditorium, band, orchestra, day/night, gyms, you get the picture.
and while carrying all 20 of his keys, he has a MASTER KEY clipped to his lanyard around his neck....ha

 

[Anonymous067]

PS...I'M curious...howd that show work out?

 

[NickJones]

Its fair to say this isn't going to be a super secure system, if your brave enough, open her up, I presume its more of a novelty key than anything for security, just to stop kids from mucking around.
Nick

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Based on my vague recollection, the Encore key is the same cut as an "A126" key for fire alarm annunciator panels. Some locksmiths have these handy little guys in stock and already cut for the local fire departments... mine did. I will have to try my A126 key in my Encore this week and see if it actually works.

Edit: I just checked my A126 key, and it does indeed fit and work in the Encore key switch.

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/957371-key-replacement-a126-code-brass-115140126.html
You can get one for $1.72

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Bump with a link to replacement keys.