Can you use 14500 in a 2D Maglite with 2AA to D adaptors?
This is very vague.
you could, but you’d need a bulb/module 9v capable and you wouldn’t get much run time due to the low capacity of 14500 cells
So the likes of a Fusion 36 or Terralux drop-in would work?
There’s a few AA to D adaptors don’t take more than 5amps so be careful.
those dropins would take the voltage I think, but I would look at getting some 18650 or 26650 cells and getting them in there by trimming back the tailspring, its highly unlikely you’ll get 5 amps out of a 14500 cell unless its a high drain imr cell.
As I say, they could be physically fitted, but it seems a bit of a pointless exercise imo, I’d either go for a 26650 and dummy cell for 4.2 - 3 v operation or two to give 8.4 - 6 v operation and use a module/dropin to suit your chosen voltage range. You’ll be able to draw far more current safely and have much higher capacity. If you wish to use your 14500 cells, maybe get a small light to suit them, and plan the mag mod for a later date when you have more suited components to get the best from the physical size of the light.
I’ve got a couple of 2D Mags I’m slowly modding. I run 2x26650 INR cells in them. The 26650’s are slightly longer and slightly narrower than a D cell. So you have to mod the spring in the tailcap. It’s really easy to do. If you want the batteries to be a snug fit you’ll need to buy some plastic tube from somewhere like Homebase to use as a sleeve. But it’s not needed and they don’t rattle any worse than most D cell Mags do.
The King Kong INR cells I’m lead to believe are safe to run in series and pack 4000mah. (I got mine from International Outdoor Store). They’ll need to be button top ones.
14500’s are likely to be only 650-700mah.
Speaking of the whole 18650/26650 thing, a 3C is a MUCH more natural fit than a 2D. I actually have some 18650s once, and tried running them in a 3C wrapped in some newspapers. And it worked quite well with both the 6C Xenon and ROP lo bulbs (a 5C/D Xenon bulb might work better here). No tailspring mods were required. A 26650 won’t fit into a newer C cell Mag without boring it out. But if you can get your hands on an old light (no C in serial number), they supposedly fit without modification.
I know that 2D Mags are by far the most popular Mags for modding. But for SO many mods, the 3C is a MUCH better choice. It fits some useful battery combinations MUCH more naturally than the 2D (namely 3C, 2x18650/26650, and 3x25500). And it’s only a little longer, yet fits better in your hand. The only drawbacks are that they are a little harder to find and are not available in colors.
I have an old 2C Maglite, would 2 x 26650 fit?
if you trim back the tail spring they should fit
2x26650 are too long for a 2C but should be right at home in a 3C. You’ll need 26500/25500 cells for a 2C.
Edit-it’s worth mentioning that 2*18650 fit in a 2C with a little foam as a ‘spring’ and tinfoil to conduct electricity to the part of the tailcap that is already free of anodizing.
I did wonder about that, good catch
But 26650 are the same length as 18650 so they should both fit?
18650 cells are thin enough that the tailcap’s ‘extra-bulb’ cavity encloses the bottom of the cell, whereas 26650s cause the tailcap to bottom out before even threading it on.