Lost Beta Engine key

Do Beta use unique keys, or are they a basic shape like used on Lucas switches? Either way, why not phone Beta and ask? At the worst you'll need to get a new switch and matching keys. I wrecked my (Sole) panel switch and replaced it with a Chinese copy of the Lucas type switch for under £20. The only problem if you were to do that is that the Lucas style switch is Off/Run/Heat/Start so wouldn't behave as per the panel text of a Beta. You could search for "diesel switch" on Ebay and you may find one that has the configuration that matches...

Rob.
 
I lost one and misplaced the other for a couple of days.

Phoned Beta Marine direct, quoted engine serial number and a WOC number (no I dont know what WOC stands for), gave debit card number and two new keys turned up a couple of days later.

Just under £20 including postage, I think. This was only 3 weeks ago.

So as long as your panel came with the engine in the first place, and you can get the numbers, no problem.
 
moodyNick said:
I lost one and misplaced the other for a couple of days.

Phoned Beta Marine direct, quoted engine serial number and a WOC number (no I dont know what WOC stands for), gave debit card number and two new keys turned up a couple of days later.
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+1 (except I think I got the replacements the next day).

WOC = Works Order Card - enables them to identify the exact spec and extras supplied, etc. (though never been sure why they can't tell this from engine serial no. alone).
 
orangemikey said:
As usual you can get spares from Beta direct but they will rip you off and charge you 10x the price.
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I do not consider Beta prices a rip-off, and I am not aware of ever paying 10 times the price I could have got elsewhere.

Sure, I know that if I rummage around I can find consumables cheaper elsewhere. But I also know that if I ring Beta I am put straight through to someone who knows these engines inside out, who will identify the exact part I need, and usually have it in the post to me the same day.

I think I paid £6 each for the keys plus VAT & postage. I could have got in the car and gone to the locksmiths in town, but I would have spent more on petrol and parking than I saved on the key. I could have rummaged around on the internet for an hour or two, and found something cheaper that was probably, but not definitely, what I needed (and then hope the order isn't too long in coming). If I got to the boat and found it wasn't the right part I would have wasted hours, if not the entire weekend.

So I've no objection to anyone getting their parts elsewhere, and I sometimes do myself, but for me the excellent service I get from Beta is worth the price.
 
Just ask your local dealer - he'll almost certainly have an old one knocking around that will fit - mine did and he gave it to me foc. He just pinched it from an old panel he'd removed. Not sure if all models use the same key but a lot of them do. High security it ain't (at least on the early models - not sure about later versions)
 
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