A beginner who needs a mod crashcourse.

[carmen]

Hello. :wave:

I am unenlightened - big time.
So i need some kind of introduction in the modifying part. I have a Maglite 2d and the first thought was to modify it into a HID flashlight.
I searched the threads and found one where a 2D was remade to a 10 W HID. It seemed quite easy - for that guy. I´m not there yet.

So i need to start from the very beginning so i don´t burn myself. I would like to know what i am doing for my own and others safety.

It would be very nice if someone could show me the most easy thing to start with like change to alittle more powerful bulb or something.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Hello. :wave:

I am unenlightened - big time.
So i need some kind of introduction in the modifying part. I have a Maglite 2d and the first thought was to modify it into a HID flashlight.
I searched the threads and found one where a 2D was remade to a 10 W HID. It seemed quite easy - for that guy. I´m not there yet.

So i need to start from the very beginning so i don´t burn myself. I would like to know what i am doing for my own and others safety.

It would be very nice if someone could show me the most easy thing to start with like change to alittle more powerful bulb or something.

If you are a beginner you're going to want to do a mod that doesn't require any soldering/cutting/or anything really difficult. Since you already have a 2D Mag I would make an ROP and use the high bulb (brighter than a 10w HID), and all you need to do is buy the parts and drop them in. It is no different from changing a bulb or batteries in a normal maglite.

 

[carmen]

Thanks for the tip.
I did some reading about it and as you say it actually seems quite simple to do.
Do you know any onlineshop with all stuff (reflector, lens, bulb, and the batteryholder)?
I´m in Europe and would rather not pay multiple shipping from different places.

I checked on lighthound but couldnt "only" find the lens and the bulb.

 

[Jenova]

Try contacting a member called "Fivemega" he should have EVERYTHING you need for that mod

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

Thanks for the tip.
I did some reading about it and as you say it actually seems quite simple to do.
Do you know any onlineshop with all stuff (reflector, lens, bulb, and the batteryholder)?
I´m in Europe and would rather not pay multiple shipping from different places.

I checked on lighthound but couldnt "only" find the lens and the bulb.

It's very simple to do. I've put together a couple of them and I have ZERO skill when it comes to modding flashlights.
It's going to be pretty difficult to find one website or person who has all of the needed items, so you are most likely going to have to pay a little extra for shipping since you live in Europe.
If you really want to use that 2D Mag of yours then the 2D ROP High is by far the best option. The thing is that the actual Maglite is a pretty small percentage of your cost for building one of these, so if you are willing to buy another Mag then you would have quite a few more options. I recently built a 4C Mag85. I personally think it is one of the best hotwire lights out there, and also one of the most affordable. Here is everything you need to buy to make one, and where to buy it:

4C Maglite (Zbattery.com) = $22 Shipped
Cammed Aluminum Reflector (Kaidomain.com) = $15.00 shipped
Borofloat Lens 52.1mm x 2.0mm (Flashlightlens.com) = $6.25 Shipped
Potted WA 1185 Bulbs (Litho123 in CPFM) = $8 Each Shipped
3x New AW Nipple Top Protected 18650 (AW in CPFM) $12 Each Shipped
PVC Tubing To Hold Cells In Place (Lowe's/Home Depot) = Unsure Of Cost, but should only be a buck or two. Make sure to buy one that fits protected 18650 cells nicely and is snug inside of a C cell Maglite.
Ultra Fire 139 Charger (AW in CPFM) = $15 Shipped

You can also buy your glass lens at Kaidomain.com if you want to cut back on shipping charges. Make sure to buy one that is 52.1mm x 2.0mm, as that is the correct size for a Maglite head. The whole thing is going to cost you *at least* $100+, so if you aren't willing to spend that type of money I wouldn't really bother. I consider this a true budget hotwire, as most hotwire lights would run you quite a bit more than this. Mostly because they use expensive battery carriers, or use a much more expensive charger. While this specific light doesn't use a battery carrier at all, and the charger for it only costs $15.
If you've never seen a hotwire before prepare to be impressed! Here is a thread I made comparing my Mag85 to a set of car headlights:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=190451

Considering that the Mag85 is only one light and the car headlights are two, I think the Mag85 held up pretty well! I would definitely say it is brighter than one car headlight.
If you need anymore help don't hesitate to ask.

 

[carmen]

I am impressed!

And i don´t think $100 is alot of money, since the HID i really want is about $488 (Microfire Warrior III K3500R). That´s alot of money.

I have some questions though.
What is "Cammed"?
The point of changing lens & reflector - Is it because of heat only?

 

[adamlau]

Or you can go with an Elite 2/3A 14.4V pack and the requisite tri bore, lens, reflector, switch and bi-pin adapter modifications and have yourself a decent Mag623. You will be fast approaching HID territory with that one. Or you can make it hard on yourself and go with a 3D cut down to a 2.5D quad bore for a 4S Moli pack as I did for slightly greater output.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

I am impressed!

And i don´t think $100 is alot of money, since the HID i really want is about $488 (Microfire Warrior III K3500R). That´s alot of money.

I have some questions though.
What is "Cammed"?
The point of changing lens & reflector - Is it because of heat only?

The reflector that comes in a Maglite is cammed. A camless reflector doesn't have the base, and isn't able to focus.
Yes, if you don't change them they will melt.
If you are willing to spend that much then you can get something REALLY nice! The ROP and the Mag85 are really nice, but if you are willing to spend $300+ you can put together a Mag623! Over 4,000 lumens of eye scorching power!!!!!
I wouldn't try putting a Mag623 together as they are quite a bit more difficult, but you could buy a unit that is completely made (turn key).

 

[carmen]

4000 lumens sound nice of course, but my wallet disagreed as ususal. I think i already decieded to make a ROP with 4 simple contents. Cheap, and i guess i will get a glinch of the HID world.

 

[Gunner12]

The ROP would be a good start. Simple and bright.

ROP bulbs
Reflector
Window(or UCL, more light comes though but it is less resistant to heat)

Batteries, well I'd suggest either 6 good NiMh AA batteries with a adapter or 2 good Li-ion D sized batteries.

 

[carmen]

I´ve seen batteries with different mAh. How much mAh is good enough?

 

[Gunner12]

Which batteries?

Usually the higher the better(presuming a good company) but voltage retention at higher draw might come into play here.

 

[carmen]

Ok. Well, i´ll ask again when it´s actually time to buy the batteries so i won´t buy some second class stuff.

A question about the Pelican bulb then. The package comes with a 11 Watt and a 24 Watt. Which one is to be used?

 

[Gunner12]

The 11 watt one is used for ROP low and the 24 watt one is used for the ROP high.

 

[carmen]

2-d maglite with 6aa´s, is it a ROP low or ROP high for me then?

I also had some problems finding "6AA holder for 2D ROP". CPFM threads seem to be closed and another recommended link had only 8aa for 2d.

 

[Gunner12]

The set comes with both bulbs. Low would give you more runtime.

There are some adapters here and here.

If you are willing to go Li-ion(new batteries, new charger, but potentially more dangerous if not use correctly), a Li-ion D sized battery would give you an hour or runtime with the high bulb instead of about 20 minutes with good NiMh AA batteries.

 

[supersund]

hi. i hope im not threadjacking or anything. if i am, i'll create a new thread.

anways, same situation. HUGE newb. i have a 2D mag that i want to mod.

i don't know if i want to do an in-can because of the runtime, thought the wow factor seems pretty awesome.

i've considered a drop-in, but the malkoff is hard to obtain, i hear. is there anything else as bright?

so now im considering an LED mod. what would you guys recommend? i really like the aspherical lenses, i think they look pretty awesome.

 

[carmen]

I forgot to thank you all for the help. The ROP seem to be the project for me soon.
I still have a question though. What maked the Pelican bulb so uniq?
What i mean is, can i buy a 12V car headlight bulb instead and get the same good result?

 

[Gunner12]

I think it might be the fact that it is relatively easy to get 7.2v out of a maglite sized body and the bulb just drops right in.

 

[carmen]

Sounds pretty logical, yes. Thank you.