What's that button?

[russelltatedotcom]

Hi Everyone I just wondered if anybody can tell me what this chrome button does? and if blank keys like this are still available for purchase. I'd rather get a blank cut locally than send my master key off in an envelope to somebody!

thanks

Russell

[90grad]

Russell,

That button should be the starter button for the fluorescent bulb for the bottle door.

[collecture]

Wayne is correct - the button lights a light in your bottle door.
As far as the key, is there a alphanumeric stamped into either the key or the lock face? (ie. KT801, PR515)
Some keys are still available and can be ordered by that alphanumeric number.

[johnieG]

Yep, bottle door light switch, but it's not a simple on/off switch, you have to hold it "in" until the lamp lights up then let it go, this was used before the days of the automatic starter for flourecent lights.

[russelltatedotcom]

thanks guys is it still possible to get lights to go in the door. I don't want to mess up an original VMC 56 with fancy add on's but if it was a standard fitting I'd like to rig it up!

Cheers
RT

[johnieG]

It still may work, give it a push & hold it in to see if the ends of the flourecent lamp glows, then release, if not relase the button & try again one more time ( switch may have been in the "ON" position in the first try, if the lamp glows at both ends, but won't "catch" (stay lit ) or just flicckers out, then it's easy enough to change the lamp, they're available at most electric suppliers & even once in a while Home depot has them,  

first put on a pair of rubber gloves, or un-powdered exam gloves to get a better grip on the lamp itself, and the glass cover, (don't want to drop it!)

to remove the glass cover, open the main door & locate the screw that is directly in line with the center metal strip that runs across the middle of the glass lamp cover, loosen or remove this screw & the one oposite it on the bottle door/gasket side (it's hidden under the gasket) & remove the metal retainer strip, now gently slide up on the face of the glass cover ( don't drop it!) until the bottom of the glass cover clears the opening at the bottom, tip the covers bottom edge out of the rectangular opening & remove it to a safe area. now here's were the gloves come in handy) use you fingers to twist teh flourecent lamp about 1/4 of a turn to align the pins to the lamps end-sockets opening, & tip the lamp out of the machine, the correct size of the lamp is written on on end of it.  take it with you to the store to match it up...

[dr galaga]

Have you tried your local locksmith?  If they don't have the key they may be able to order a blank.