10-Ring
Member
The idea was introduced to me in another thread...So, what is involved if I wanted to get brighter output from my 4 - D cell Mag Lite?
Souping up a Mag lite
- Thread starter 10-Ring
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Schuey2002
Member
Someone out there has to make better ( ie brighter) bulbs for these flashlights..
I'd love to soup up my 2-D cell maglite as well....
I'd love to soup up my 2-D cell maglite as well....
Ron L
Member
There are three rather simple ways to soup up a Maglite.
For 2 or 3 D cell lights, keep the existing bulb. Then, ditch the D cell batts, and put in 3 or 4 C cell batts, respectively, basically over-driving the stock bulb. Use a 1" piece of PVC pipe, cut about the length of the batts and installed inside to keep things from rattling. Since the C cell batts are slightly shorter, but you're adding one to the number, they'll be slightly longer than the D's. You'll have to scrape the inside of the end cap to get bare metal and alter the spring to fit within the end cap. Easier done than described.
Then, the next step up is to use the same battery combo and over-drive an upgraded bulb. Carly Bulbs Carley Lamps sells upgraded bulbs. You can also look into the upgraded bulbs for the rechargable lights too.
For me, probably the one of the best upgrades is the Luxeon Star LED bulb replacement. It offers a MUCH brighter, yet softer light that's a bit bluer than a regular incandescent bulb. The light doesn't have any hot spots or shadows normally associated with the regular incandescent bulbs, yet the LS LED lasts thousands of burn-hours longer than a regular bulb and will NOT break if the light is dropped. Battery life goes up by around 5 times too. The only drawback is that, because the reflector really does no good because of the design of the bulb itself, it doesn't seem to have the "throw" of a regular bulb. Past a certain distance, the light seems to diffuse a bit. Not that it won't light up a stop sign 5 or 6 houses away, it just doesn't seem like it.
For 2 or 3 D cell lights, keep the existing bulb. Then, ditch the D cell batts, and put in 3 or 4 C cell batts, respectively, basically over-driving the stock bulb. Use a 1" piece of PVC pipe, cut about the length of the batts and installed inside to keep things from rattling. Since the C cell batts are slightly shorter, but you're adding one to the number, they'll be slightly longer than the D's. You'll have to scrape the inside of the end cap to get bare metal and alter the spring to fit within the end cap. Easier done than described.
Then, the next step up is to use the same battery combo and over-drive an upgraded bulb. Carly Bulbs Carley Lamps sells upgraded bulbs. You can also look into the upgraded bulbs for the rechargable lights too.
For me, probably the one of the best upgrades is the Luxeon Star LED bulb replacement. It offers a MUCH brighter, yet softer light that's a bit bluer than a regular incandescent bulb. The light doesn't have any hot spots or shadows normally associated with the regular incandescent bulbs, yet the LS LED lasts thousands of burn-hours longer than a regular bulb and will NOT break if the light is dropped. Battery life goes up by around 5 times too. The only drawback is that, because the reflector really does no good because of the design of the bulb itself, it doesn't seem to have the "throw" of a regular bulb. Past a certain distance, the light seems to diffuse a bit. Not that it won't light up a stop sign 5 or 6 houses away, it just doesn't seem like it.
10-Ring
Member
Thanks he reference link Kevlarman & the info Ron L.
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