Looking for some older d and c cell lights to pop an LED in that’d be worth the upgrade. I’ve got an energizer k250wbe I’m thinking about doing something with. Looking for other suggestions. Just want a retro/vintage collection to go with the rest they don’t have to be ancient either 90s 2000’s type lights any suggestions would be awesome
Plastic or metal?
I had have a TaskForce 2×AA that takes a plain ol’ PR2 bulb, that I swapped in a Maglite LED “bulb”. Fatter base, so had to toss out the “cap” that holds the bulb in the reflector, and just lightly shaved out the hole to be able to press-fit the Magbulb into it. Works great, but the beam’s still horrible.
Otherwise… Nite-Ize makes true drop-in LED replacements for flange-base hotwire bulbs. So any light that takes one of those, you can swap in a Nite-Ize bulb.
They ain’t gonna be daylighters, think maybe 80lm tops. Still, to be able to run Cs or Ds in an LED light is pretty kewl, and still “retro”.
Either honestly. Just gonna be a new hobby of mine to upgrade and use them around the house and such
Dorcy also sells the PR2 LED dropins —- one size for 2-cell, another for 3-4-cell.
People have started bringing me garage sale flashlights to upgrade with those (sigh)
If the beam sucked before, it’ll likely still suck with the LED. But you’ll likely get 4× the battery life and flatter output ’til the batts are almost dead.
Worth it, if only for s&g.
Yeah man, make sure worth time and money. I have a classic 5 d cell maglite. Upgrading with top LED drop ins will cost $150. For me, not worth it at all. Better off buying high output light.
honestly if you dont mod them with a really warm white LED (2000-2700K) there is no retro look when you switch it on with 6500K LED in any C or D cell torch
D cells are like a buck fifty if you buy a dozen and close to three bucks a piece if you buy them in pairs .
considering you can almost buy a Samsung q30 for the same price and charge it 300 times ..hmm I have lots of dumb old lights and upon closer inspection they are just junk. They look cool but aren't worth the time /effort or imagination .
It's like the six million dollar man ..we could make him faster / stronger / leap over buildings ,,....Wait ...How much did you say ??
Sorry mam... we regrettably have to inform you that your husband didn't make it ...
It’s fine. I have about 60 rechargable d cells lying around so I’m not too worried about batteries. I’m literally at home bored with my kids all day atm. Figure it’ll give me something to do. May with up some dual 26650 setups for shiggles
You can MOD to use either 18650/26650 no problem. Both will fit in D cell barrels. Just make sure you have spacer to prevent rattling inside.
Heat sinks, LEDs, drop ins, glass lens, etc…… will cost big time.
Cost factors will not be worth it unless you plan to keep light.
BTW, I really wanted to mod my 5 D cell Mag with the best LEDS, Battery, Lens, etc… BUT
cost factors NOT WORTH IT. I am better off buying much higher out put, better constructed light.
I’ve found that XP-L HIs work with many different alkaline batter configs, even on consumer flashlights that are directly driven. Thus I’ve popped them into everything the MCPCB fits into - an old Craftsman 6-AAA LED flashlight (with some equally ancient LED), a Harbor Freight Quantum zoomie, a Home Depot DEFIANT POS 3-pack special, to name a few…