I've just recently got my first 2 Maglites, a 2D ML300L [e-switch] and a 2C ML25LT [twisty] (the 1 Mode 177LM one, not the newest 192LM with 2 Modes)
Haven't got them for the best of prices, as apparently they're not imported here in Ireland any longer for quite a few good years, everybody seems to have switched from importing Maglites to LED-Lensers.. :(
I do own quite a considerable amount of your regular flashaholic lights, but the simplicity of the Maglites, the build quality, design and the ability to focus really sold me on them.
Also, counter intuitive as it may seem, the low Lumen spec (which actually isn't that low anyways.. ) and the readily available regular batteries that they're taking (my first lights taking them)
So, all in all, I'm quite happy to have my first Maglites, but still, it wouldn't be me if not wanting to enhance or mod them in some way or another..
For now, the 2D can take a back seat, as the 2C just caught my interest for a couple of reasons..
First, it would take a 26650 Sofirn cell just perfectly, slowly sliding in as the air is squeezed out past the battery (such a nice fit)
Secondly, it has a low Lumen count, thus, the run-times would be perfectly appropriate for a useful emergency light.
It's quite a good thrower with the relatively large reflector (~40mm dia.) and the small emitter (XP-E2) die, while still being able to be a bit of a flooder
Running a single 26650 would not be very far off voltage wise from the 2 x 1.5V cells that it takes by default. Also, there's some 3cm room left for additional modding (maybe a side switch, maybe a driver pill, etc.. )
With this space available on a single 26650, I'm wondering if I could mod the light in such a way that I could keep compatibility for both fuel options on the table (2 x C/LR14 or 1 x 26650)
Now what I'm not really certain of, is.. where is the driver located on these twisties, like this 2C ML25LT and what kind of driver is it.. Is it a boost, a buck driver, or.. ?
Looking up on the internet I could only find one topic about the disassembly of this light with some pictures, but in the process, the components got damaged and no details were given about the driver itself.
Based on the XP-E2's 2.9V fw voltage, I'm thinking that the driver would be a boost type for the 2C version and it would be located in the emitter's socket/support (?) as the rest of the internals seem to be just the twisty switch assembly..
What I would like to do, would be to replace the driver for a boost/buck version with at least 3 modes (Moon/Low/High) and maybe a batt chk of some sort and get rid of the twisty assy in favor of either a side switch or tail switch (either which would be of the mechanical reverse Clicky type) keeping the twist action just for focusing.
Any insights on this light's driver's location/type or opinions on what mod/s would be best suited for this 2C Mag ?
Cheers!