Upgrading my Maglite to LED

I have a 6 cell Maglite (I know that it's ridiculously big, but I've had it around forever) and I wanted up upgrade it to an LED. The largest LED upgrade module that Maglite sells is for the 4 cell. Looking at the LED upgrades for the 2 cell and the 4 cell, they look identical. Could this be the same bulb, just in different packaging (I doubt it, but you never know)?

So my question is: Do you think that I could put the 4 cell upgrade into my 6 cell flashlight without causing too many problems?

Thank you,

NightBandit

Not the same. 4 cell drop in module will likely work well for the first few seconds until it warms up and starts overheating, turning angry blue and fizzling out. If you inserted just one dummy cell and ran the 4 cell module on 5 D cells, you're far less likely to do damage. Welcome to CPF by the way! Where you from?

I would use 2 dummy cells and 4 cell module,…
or I have a question,…

Is there a way to mod the battery from 6x serial to 3 x serial and then connect them parallel of course it would be interesting only if we could use the same size batteries. If it is possible I would do that and use 3 cell module and double the burning time.

The only downside besides possible short circuit (and flames) would be when it's time to change the batteries. It becomes a cumbersome and inconvenient task especially if you need to do it in the dark or in a hurry. The other option is to go with a resistor plus the module. A resistor could be added to the switch to work with the module to give extended runtime with 6 D cells. Not sure on the value but I'd guess something like 3 watt 10 ohm? (I know nothing about resistors)

It could be done, use a piece of double sided PC board between the 2 lots of 3 batteries and wire as shown in Tidra's post.
Norm

Another possibility with this large light is a custom build. 6xD sized LiIons, b-/n-Flex driver and a 3/4x Cree/SSC-P4 setup.

Best regards

____
Tom

Although it doesn't say it now, these 5 Watt LED bulbs used to be listed for use in 6 cell Mags or in 2 cell mags with 3xCR123 cells. I'm not sure why they dropped the 6 cell labeling. Six 1.5v D cells is 9 volts total and three 3.0v CR123 cells is also 9 volts total. Either way should work.

DonShock said:

Although it doesn't say it now, these 5 Watt LED bulbs used to be listed for use in 6 cell Mags or in 2 cell mags with 3xCR123 cells. I'm not sure why they dropped the 6 cell labeling. Six 1.5v D cells is 9 volts total and three 3.0v CR123 cells is also 9 volts total. Either way should work.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend these drop ins. I know, when they appeared the first time on the market, they got heat problems and disappeard a while after.

I don't know, if they improved them but I can't imagine, that this little bulb replacement is be able to transfer the heat in the way it's necessary.

Best regards

____
Tom

A pretty respectable spacer can be built from a round head bolt, a couple three nuts and a couple of washers.

Use 4D and spacer for a 4cell M*gled.

Another possibility would be to use four F cells. Since these are the length of 1.5 D cells, four should fit just right in a Mag6D and you could use the 4 cell MagLED bulb.

Or you could just use Nimh rechargables to drop the voltage down.

Shane

Hallis said:

Or you could just use Nimh rechargables to drop the voltage down.

Shane

Click to expand...

This will not work. Six D-nimh's will smoke the 4-cell Led-drop in.

Best regards

____
Tom

WOW!! You guys are fast. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions; it's good to know that I can get good reliable information fast.

After reading many many threads over the past week, I've come to the realization that I'll need an electrical engineering degree just in order to understand most of the information passing between members. Heck, I'll even need to take a few graduate courses just to understand the basics of rechargeable batteries.

All that being said, I'll be passing on the LED upgrade (for my 6 cell). Maybe someday in the future, I'll feel competent enough to tweak my flashlights enough to upgrade it to LED. Of course, my current flashlights are so basic, I'm sure that I'll be buying new high tech goodies (how can I not after reading this forum for long) before I try making difficult upgrades to my cheapies.

Thanks again,

NightBandit

if you dont want to go throuth the hassle of dummy cells, DonShock has a good point of the 5 watt, that or the everled can be used in a 6D cell configuration

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/everled.htm

cheers

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/features/batteries_explained.htm
read this to get a better understanding the basics of rechargeable batteries. No need for graduate courses, college is for people with no bankable tallent.

I observe that an AAA minimag is almost the same length as 2 D cells.
I assume that a bare aluminum one would conduct electricity.
With an appropriate spacer to keep it centered, it could be a 2D dummy cell
and you have a spare flashlight if the 6D fails.

i thought the 6k2 could be used without dummy batteries cuz of regulator

here's a drop-in led for the 6d mag....good price about $25, regulated, no dummy cells:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=142987

DonShock said:

Although it doesn't say it now, these 5 Watt LED bulbs used to be listed for use in 6 cell Mags or in 2 cell mags with 3xCR123 cells.

Click to expand...

Per your provided link.
Diamond LED bulb replacement adapters for Maglite® 5 Watt

• Works with Maglite® 2x C or 2x D size flashlights
• Uses a 3x CR123 Lithium battery adapter (batteries not included)

Yep, same same. 6D cell = 9volts vs. 3xCR123 = 9volts
Good to go.
Can't speak for heat management issues.

DJ Q said:

here's a drop-in led for the 6d mag....good price about $25, regulated, no dummy cells:
http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=142987

Click to expand...

But for a third of the price and comparable performance this one looks like a no brainer.

DK

Another vote for the Terralux Maxstar-5. It should be pretty happy in that 6-Cell light.