Mod My Mag (2D)

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I've got a 2D Mag light still running the ol' battery eating incandenscent. I never use it anymore because batteries cost so much and it just churns thru them.

I did a LED conversion on my 4D Mag and two years later its still on the same batteries, still produces plenty of power.

So here's what I'm after:

Since I'll be going to 18650 batteries, I might as well use them in all of my lights.

I'd like to keep overall size and length of the light to a minimum, so basically the head+length of single battery + tail cap. So 2.5 inches for the tube.

I want to keep the stock head, but go to a triple-XML setup.

So first I'd like some suggestions on cutting or buying a cut-down tube, and a holder for the 18650s.

2

Cheap way for a lot of light.

Go to Lighthound and get some ROP High bulbs

http://www.lighthound.com/Pelican-Big-D-Rechargeable-Lamp-Set-FL-3854_p_1506.html

Get yourself a 6AA-2D adapter.

Insert bul

Insert cells - get a warm incandescent output about the same as an XM-L hard driven.

Oh, you will need a metal reflector and glass lens - this bulb will melt the plastic Mag items.

Or cut down to 1D - feed it a D lithium cell from KD - these contain a lot of energy and are of dubious quality so do keep an eye on them while charging them. Really do - if they decide to release the energy prematurely you will not enjoy the consequences.

Get an appropriate heatsink. Mount an XM-L on it - check the current - as long as the LED is getting no more than 3A you'll be fine with direct drive. You can drive XM-L's harder than that but you are likely to shorten their life dramatically. 3A is the official maximum current.

Simple, bright and if you start with an LED Mag, the stock deep reflector works very well with an XM-L.

If you can get hold of a 3" head to fit a Mag then DX do a reflector intended for the SST-90 which works well with an XM-L.

3

Have you thought about doing a roar of the pelican?
Use 6x AA NiMh and a Pelican 3854 bulb.

4

Lets talk about the tube length first.

How spendy is just the act of cutting down the tube? I imagine you need to rethread the body, which requires a tap, which for that size would be huge.

I want it as short as possible while still being able to run either a 1D, AA holder, or 18650.

Can this be done?

5

The thread on the tube is external and would be done on a lathe. I have read about metal epoxy being used to reattach the head on the stump though. Those stubby mags do look good. Hmmmm.....(bad thoughts happening)

6

cut the top of the tube off. stuff whats left of it in the head and move the switch to the tailcap?

I dunno i need to go to bed..................

7

I have a ROP mod, Besides the name sake 3854 bulb I got a metel reflector and glass lens (these are needed because the plastic ones will melt), I also got a shorty spring Kai domain sells them cheap. With that set up with a 2*D mag light guess what.....

You can simply drop a couple of 18650 in!!!!!

They are a little longer than a D cell, but that is good because they are held so tight between the spings they will not rattle around and you do not need an adapter that's right drop them right in and you are good to go. The 7.2-7.4 V you get from a couple 18650 cells will drive taht bulb real nice. As soon as I can find my 3*D body I am going to try and over drive it with three 18650's.

8

An ROP bulb will not survive three lithium cells - 8.4V is the ragged upper limit, I've had a new bulb instantly die when the 32600s I use were fully charged. None have been known to live past 9V.

9

3 cells will insta-flash a 3854 bulb, as Don said.