I made a spacer tube for a stock 3D maglite with the Rebel LED. 4 AA batteries fit nicely with one battery inside of the large tail spring. I wouldn’t think the small voltage increase of 4 alkaline or nimh batteries versus 3 would matter. But, figured I’d ask the experts. 4 AA in a 3D maglite should be fine, right.
Hi MattK,
I like the idea of 4AA. My wife always keeps an 3D in her car and her last one just alkileaked. She wants a 3D replacement and I think I will copy you and go 4AAA NiMh in the replacement.. I will probably go Li-ion eventually, but your idea sounds easier for now. I agree that the small increase in voltage is should be fine. 3D alki's fully charged are around 4.95v and 4 fully charge NiMh will be around 5.6 - 5.8v, but will sag to about 4.8v under load.
I hammered a piece of 1/2” pvc pipe into a piece of 3/4” pvc conduit and cut to length. It could use another spacer inside the 1/2” for AA. But when the tail cap is screwed on it does not rattle with AA and I couldn’t make it flicker by shaking it. Guess that’s my first “mod” lol. About 5 minutes time and free from scrap pipe.