2C M*glite mod to 3 CR123 question...?

[lastdefender]

Okay Troops,

I'm ready for my second M*glite modification. Thanks to all your help. I will be upgrading my standard 2 C cell M*glite to the following:

1. Replace the two (2) C cells with (3) CR123 Sanyo disposables.
2. Replace the standard bulb with either an KPR112 or an XPR103 depending on
availability.

I need your help on what insert I should use so the CR123's don't rattle around the flashlite. I tried 15/16th foam pipe insulation but it was too wide. I'd rather not use duct tape. Any suggestions? For my D cell upgrade I used schedule 40 1" PVC pipe and it fit great.

Thanks in advance,
Gary

 

[Mr_Light]

I have used 5/8" garden hose slit down the side, and I think 3/4" CPVC Pipe will also work.

 

[sween1911]

I've used a piece of PVC... I think it was the 3/4" outside diameter? I actually took the cell out of my SF E1 in Home Depot to see which pipe had the best fit without sticking or rattling.

I wrapped both ends of the pipe with some electrical tape until it would -just- slide in and out of the light without sticking.

The KPR112 is fun to play with, but if you intend to rely on the light, I'd use a 6-cell Xenon or the 5-cell Krypton Mag bulbs, or equivalent. Don't want a bulb that will blow without warning. I'd opt for slightly less output if it means higher durability.

 

[fishx65]

Lowes has some high pressure hose that works perfect. It's clear with a blue stripe around it. The XPR 103 will go bye-bye in a hurry. I've been using the 5 cell krypton mag bulb with great results (Very bright). I would also look into frosting the bulb, it is unreal how well it works!!!! I just did this mod and am very happy with it. Here's the thread:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=148148

FishX65

 

[lastdefender]

Does anyone know what the OD of a CR123A might be?

 

[ryball]

5/8" heater hose split down the middle works great too. You should be able to find it at home despot or lowes.

 

[Pokerstud]

off the shelf 3/4" schedule 40 works great. If you go to schedule 80, the OD is a little to thick. The idea with the 5/8" split heater hose is good as it allows quick access to the batteries, and it slides out of the 2C battery tube easily. My experience with 3/4" vinyl tubing is that it works great, but if you don't split it, it's hell getting the batteries in and out of the tubing. I finally had some custom tubes machine by Will Quiles using schedule 80, they are very nice.

 

[lastdefender]

Thank you all who replied.


Gary

 

[swampgator]

2. Replace the standard bulb with either an KPR112 or an XPR103 depending on availability.

I insta-flashed an XPR103 with this mod. I'd go with different bulb.

I've had good luck with the KPR112 (6.0 volt) as well as the the KPR113 (4.8 volt). The -113 gives a whiter beam but bulbs don't last as long.

 

[Brighteyez]

Isn't schedule 40 water pipe too big to fit in a C cell Mag? Even Sched. 40 conduit is a bit of a tight fit at best, being about the same diameter as the ID of the Mag barrel (i.e. press fit), at least it seems that way with a Mag 2C that I tried with Sched. 40 conduit from the neighborhood hardware store (OSH.) Do you have the turn the tubing down a bit before using it?

off the shelf 3/4" schedule 40 works great. If you go to schedule 80, the OD is a little to thick. The idea with the 5/8" split heater hose is good as it allows quick access to the batteries, and it slides out of the 2C battery tube easily. My experience with 3/4" vinyl tubing is that it works great, but if you don't split it, it's hell getting the batteries in and out of the tubing. I finally had some custom tubes machine by Will Quiles using schedule 80, they are very nice.

 

[TigerhawkT3]

Standard 5/8" heater hose split down the side works great. I got mine at Autozone. I think it's $1.20 or $1.30 per foot there.

 

[lastdefender]

Does the heater hose a specific ID? I am assuming 5/8ths is the OD?

 

[Brighteyez]

5/8" would have to be the ID to accommodate the 17mm diameter CR123 battery. Bear in mind that the barrel of the 2C Mag has and ID of about 1.05 or so.

Does the heater hose a specific ID? I am assuming 5/8ths is the OD?

 

[TigerhawkT3]

If you go to Autozone, just ask for 5/8" standard heater hose. They'll know exactly what you're talking about. I was going to offer to send you a foot of the stuff, but shipping would be more expensive than just picking it up locally.

 

[Icebreak]

From post #4 in the ROP sticky. The split tube shown below works for CR123s also. No rattle. Cuts easily with a razor knife. You can see your cells.

6 Intellect IB1400 2/3 A from CheapBatteryPacks.

Sleeve them in 5/8" ID X 7/8" OD acrylic tube from Home Depot. Split the tube.

Here is a scan of a charging spacer apart and together, the re-bent spring, the deanodized tail cap and the vinyl tube with cells in it.

 

[Any Cal.]

3/4 CPVC tubing fits the batteries perfectly, then you do do a few turns with masking tape in two places to keep the pipe from rattleing. If you do a nice job it looks very nice when you are done.

The KPR 112 bulbs work well for me, but some of them have a NASTY beam in the stock reflector. They are cheap enough you can go through a couple to find the best one though. Mine probably lasted 70-80 cycles, and 1 drop with the light off before it quit.

 

[lastdefender]

Well I can report that Rayovac Krypton KPR113 4.8V 0.75a 3.6watt bulb is no match for the three (3) CR123A mod. I got a brilliant flash of light, then Poof! I blew both the bulbs I got at Loews. Oh well...

The good news is 3/4" CPVC pipe works great. I got a lifetime's supply of this pipe from Loews for something like $3.00. I cut a 3.75" piece and then wrapped on end with electrical tape until it was snug in the M@glite tube. This CPVC tube fits the CR123A perfectly! So I struck out at all my local Loews and Home Depots for 5 cell Kryptons or 6 cell Zenons. I will have to search other stores.

Moding lights can be fun! :thumbsup:

 

[Brighteyez]

Thanks, I'll check into that. I was thinking that the reference was to regular white Sched. 40 PVC.

3/4 CPVC tubing fits the batteries perfectly,

 

[Icebreak]

The Radio Shack KPR112 is the classic lemlux mod for this set up. It has a history of reported instaflashes. It's bright though.

If you are running around town this weekend and see a Radio Shack pick up a couple of KPR118s. It is a six cell lamp and the fat filament does well in an Mag OEM reflector. Snag an RS KPR112 to experiment with. If they don't have them ask them to order a few for you and have them send the lamps to your home or workplace. They used to do that. If the "you have questions...we have blank stares" staff won't do that they can still order these lamps for you for a store pick up. That's what they should want to do. It gives them another opportunity to sell you a cell phone, ear bud and a radio controlled something or other.

The Mag White Star Krypton 5 cell will beat the RS KPR118 in intensity and throw (image return at a given distance) but the RS KPR118 will have a nicer spot that returns more total image at a slightly lesser distance. A 2C Mag using 3, in series CR123 cells w/ RS KPR118 makes a stock Mag 2C seem annoyingly useless for much distance.

 

[mdocod]

change to using a pair of li-ion batteries instead.... (2x18500 is simplest right now... AW will soon have C size li-ion)...(18650s will fit with tailcap mods)

the advantage is that the initial voltage is slightly lower. but the voltage after a few minutes runtime is better compared to the 3xCR123 configuration... the result is that you are less likely to instaflash bulbs on fresh cells. Being rechargable makes you more apt to use it more. It's a much more bulb friendly solution.