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What to do with my D cell mag light

Discussion in 'Flashlights & Other Illumination Devices' started by Rfd62106, Jan 14, 2013.

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    Rfd62106 Loaded Pockets

    Okay, so I'm cleaning out my truck the other day and come across my trusty D cell mag light that I keep tucked in the door pocket. It has been lovingly enjoyed and ridden pretty hard in the past 15 years but still works great. I turn it on and notice that the batteries are in need of changing. After a fresh set of batteries I realize how dull this light is in comparison to something as small as my nano light (just as a comparison of brightness)

    So I pose the following question: Is it worth keeping? More to my curiosity, is there a way to bring this light up to more modern and useful standards?

    I see Nite Ize makes an led bulb for it but I recall a friend making that upgrade and finding it very disappointing. I think the light new only costs $20 at the time, so it may only be worth putting so much money into refurbishing it. I can already that it needs a new lens (if one is even available). Can you get parts for these?

    Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.
    Rfd62106, Jan 14, 2013
    #1
    • +3 Supporter

    AK Adventurer Uber Prepared

    I was actually just thinking of that today, when I found one of mine, remembering some mods I saw a few years ago. A few years ago when LEDs were coming around in high output, a lot of guys were moding them, and planting 3W luxions etc on custom drop in upgrades.

    Coolest one I ever saw was one cut down to a 4" or 5" handle with a carrier for smaller litium cells, and like 500 lumes output as I recall... Dig around over at Candlepowerforums, should be a lot of ideas/options if they're still available.

    G.
    AK Adventurer, Jan 14, 2013
    #2
    • Administrator
    • +4 Supporter

    Valolammas Tea-powered admin

    Yes, you can get spare parts for Mags. As for what to do with it, depends on what you want. The D-Mags are popular for high-power mods, but if you want to keep using normal D-cells, one of those drop-in bulbs is probably the best way to go. Nite Ize has several different models, I think. They used to have (may still have) one that is pretty dim, but has insane runtime. Then there's the official Maglite LED replacement bulb, which may not be the greatest thing ever, but isn't bad either.
    Valolammas, Jan 14, 2013
    #3
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    AK Adventurer Uber Prepared

    AK Adventurer, Jan 14, 2013
    #4
    sungame, catfishdan and Blerv like this.

    wildborego Uber Prepared

    I have two, one black and one silver.

    The black one is oe except for the batteries of course. :)

    The silver has the led in it, i like them both. I keep them next to the bed.

    I don't really have a have great flash lights other than my coast led flash light that puts out about

    200 lumens.
    wildborego, Jan 14, 2013
    #5

    Six String Uber Prepared

    A Malkoff drop-in is a great way to modernize a Maglite. I put one in my 3 D light and get about 600 lumens out of it. Much longer run time, too.
    Last edited by Six String, Jan 14, 2013
    Six String, Jan 14, 2013
    #6

    larry h Loaded Pockets

    Go to a hardware store and purchase a new L. E. D. head. I did this a few years ago on mine and I get a lot of good use of it still today. I'll probably get one for my wife's C cell mag light.
    larry h, Jan 14, 2013
    #7

    Rfd62106 Loaded Pockets

    I checked home depot and the still sell the good ol 2 or 4 cell D lights with an Incandesant buld like i already have. The best i can find locally is a 3 watt led replacement bulb. Cant remember the brand and whether or not it was a Nitize or not.

    So an LED replacement buld is not the way to go, right? In case it matters i have a 2 cell light.

    With a 3 watt buld, and 2 alkaline d cells, is there a way to calculate lumens?
    Rfd62106, Jan 14, 2013
    #8
    • +3 Supporter

    Narcosynthesis Uber Prepared

    I stuck a terralux upgrade into my 3d a while ago and am rather happy with it.

    I have no idea how it compares to all the higher end lights out there, but compared to my Fenix L1T it is a pretty big step up in output, and just as importantly in throw too. Well worth the £15 or so I paid for it.
    Narcosynthesis, Jan 14, 2013
    #9
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    • In Omnia Paratus

    catfishdan Uber Prepared

    catfishdan, Jan 14, 2013
    #10
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    I keep mine by the bed in case something goes BUMP or CRASH in the night. Of course, if something merely goes bump, the little Lumapower EDC LM31 on my nightstand is much more convenient. However, if I was to encounter something bigger than a rodent in my darkened house, I would be happy to have something a little more substantial in my hand.

    My plan is to upgrade it with a Malkoff drop in as soon as the incan bulb dies. I understand that would make it run basically forever on three D-cells. Terralux also makes OK drop ins, and they are a bit cheaper, but I believe the Malkoffs have higher output values.
    sungame, Jan 14, 2013
    #11
    • In Omnia Paratus

    bendbig Loaded Pockets

    I just upgraded my old D-cell with a Malkoff dropin. What a difference I can see all they way to my barn from the house, about 100yds, now just shine my old Maglite and check on the horses without walking over there.
    bendbig, Jan 14, 2013
    #12
    sungame likes this.
    • +2 Supporter

    jujigatame Uber Prepared

    Agreed. Considering what you may pay for a new light to put out that kind of number the value of a dropping a Malkoff in an already solid host like the d-cell Mag is great.
    jujigatame, Jan 14, 2013
    #13
    Six String and sungame like this.

    BravoOscarFoxtrotHotel Loaded Pockets

    Malkoff....never heard of them before but I also have an old 2D Mag floating around here that I don't use at the moment....it's just not up to the job anymore, with its weak incandescent bulb and too heavy for EDC.
    But I would hate to discard it just like that, given the 12 or so years that it served me well. It has seen its fair share of action and looks a bit beat up, but I feel that it has deserved an upgrade...


    Will definitely check them out at some point. Yet another great tip brought to me by EDCF :)

    Thanks!

    --
    Sent from a Marconi wireless using Morse Code.
    BravoOscarFoxtrotHotel, Jan 14, 2013
    #14
    Six String likes this.
    • +3 Supporter
    • In Omnia Paratus

    powerring Uber Prepared

    My Mag XL100 is the nightstand flashlight. :) My nearby Mag 2D with LED conversion is basically a club. :eek:
    powerring, Jan 14, 2013
    #15
    BravoOscarFoxtrotHotel likes this.

    williaty Loaded Pockets

    I have a 2-D Maglite with the 240 lumen Malkoff drop in in it and a 4-D Maglite waiting for its 700 lumen Malkoff drop in. I am VERY HAPPY with the Malkoff in the 2D and would strongly encourage anyone thinking of buying a commercial drop in for a Maglite to go with Malkoff. The big difference between his stuff and the Nite-Ize, Terralux, etc is heatsinking. The Malkoff emitter is riding on a HUGE hunk of brass that's pressure-fit to the aluminum Maglite body. This moves heat from the LED to the outside world very efficiently. This allows the LED to run at full power continuously. The Maglite LED, Nite-Ize, and Terralux offerings don't provide a heat path from the emitter to the outside world so they go into thermal limitation mode after only a couple of minutes of being on. Check out candlepowerforums.com for some graphs of this happening with the non-Malkoff dropins.
    williaty, Jan 15, 2013
    #16

    adobo Loaded Pockets

    I also have one and kept the light as is near my front door, with a tonfa handle.. :D

    something like this
    [IMG]
    adobo, Jan 15, 2013
    #17
    ypsifly likes this.

    ypsifly Loaded Pockets

    Malkoff drop ins are awesome. I have 3 Surefires loaded with Gene's work, 6P Defender w/M-60F, 9P "Defender" w/M-90, C3 HAIII w/M-61, and an M-60 MC-E that needs a host.

    The build and performance of the SF drop ins are rock solid. I haven't tried any of his Mag drop ins, but I'm sure they hold the same standard.

    If you decide to go Malkoff...don't forget the accessories: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/accessories-c-13.html

    The Xcape Cap would be good for a mag kept in a vehicle.
    ypsifly, Jan 15, 2013
    #18

    Westerdutch Uber Prepared

    Mod it!!

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    [IMG]

    This now small light has gone through quite a few changes since i found it at a thrift store for cheap and gave a very nice opportunity to try all kinds of techniques (ie the flame-shaped ano removal).

    Right now the flames are gone, its mostly a polished body now with a couple of black stripes. It runs off 2x18650 driving a XML @ 3A and heatsinking is up to spec to keep this going till the cells go dead (the head will get VERY hot). All plastic and rubber parts in the light have been replaced by glass/metal/heat resistant materials. All the maglite goodies (traffic-cone, belt hanger, wall clip and stuff) still fit. This is one of my most used modded lights atm.
    Westerdutch, Jan 15, 2013
    #19
    AK Adventurer likes this.
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    Take2 Uber Prepared

    Funny, I just dusted off my old 2 D-cell Maglite yesterday to check if the batteries hadn't start leaking yet.

    I'm not sure if I want to carry something that big and heavy again to be honest, unless perhaps some clubbing might be involved. For everything else my XL-50 does a pretty good job. But if I were putting any money in mine I'd probably go for the cheapest LED option (since it has become a back-up light nowadays) and I'd definitely put one of these on the back:

    [IMG]
    Take2, Jan 15, 2013
    #20
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