Brinkmann 5-3-2 D Flashlights

[lemlux]

Does anyone have a Pro Grip 5-3-2 or a Pro Max 5-3-2? If so, do you play with it much?
http://www.thebrinkmanncorp.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=8&User_ID=358418&st=1623&st2=82700814&st3=-87275069&Product_ID=256&CATID=2

The 5-3-2 lights have a Bezel headpiece, a switch module, and endcap, a 2-battery extension, and a 3-battery extension. You get to 5-3-2 either by using all pieces or leaving out the 3 or the 2.

I could imagine buying two of these and having fun by chosing between assembling a modular 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,or 10 D tubular flashlight. The possibilities are limited only by the physics of stress if you buy more of them, I suppose.

I'm not sure when I'd use it except at one of these giant submarine sandwich fund raisers, and then only if held at night. Nonetheless, what a fun tinker toy!

Help persuade me that I should pay $32 to $35 list for one of these depending upon model. (I'd probably have to direct order from the factory.)

 

[Silviron]

Hmm- That could be interesting.

Make a 10 D light, get one of the SoLux Daylight spectrum bulbs and adapt the brinkmann head to fit it.

That would be bright, white light.

(But hottter'n heck, probably have to use asbestos gloves if you run it more than a minute a a time.

)

I've been thinking about building one with some aluminum tube, but this would be easier.

 

[lemlux]

One could buy a Carley PR base adapter for t-2 1/2 bulbs and stick any Carley T 2-1/2 bulb or W/A T-2 1/4 bulb not exceeding 1.0 A of the voltage of your choice in the light.

 

[lemlux]

Well, folks. I stumbled across one of these on EBAY and couldn't resist buying it for $19.99 plus shipping. With shipping, its only about $5 less than the price direct from Brinkmann.

(My longest Mag D lights are my Mag charger and my two Mag 3D's.)

Silviron, how long do you think I can hold out before I buy another 5-3-2 to make my 7, 8, or 10D who-know-what? To bad I couldn't satisfy this maniacal urge by finding some of the closeout combineable Radio Shack 3C flashlights a few months ago.

Maybe I should blame this continued loss of control on Snakebite and the 22 Rechargeable 5.0 Ah NiCads he's sending me.

 

[lemlux]

I received the 5-3-2 light today. I'm intrigued that the switch assembly appears to eat up considerably less length than the Mag D lights.

I'm also intrigued that the PR bulb contacts appear to afford much easier soldering for the pigtails of a bi-pin ceramic socket than do the Mag lites.

The ID of the head chamber is less than 2" across, so a Carley reflector couldn't be totally enclosed under the bezel. It does appear that I could comfortably mount a 2" Carley reflector with tempered mag charger lens into the head with the outer 1/2" long 2" diameter section of the reflector flush with the OD of the head. I'd use mounding screws to set and remove the reflector in the head.

This appears to be very L/A moddable in addition to accomodating 2, 3, or 5 D cells.

I think I'll have fun with it.

On the other hand, it is so long in 5-cell configuration that I doubt whether I'd use it other than to pull it out of the trunk of my car at night.

I'll start off by removing the Argon PR bulb the 5-3-2 came with. I'll see how SnakeBite's 5.0 Ah NiCads hold their voltage with a 6.0 v 1.7A Carley lamp as compared to a Mag 3D with a MagCharger 5 1/2 D cell battery pack.

 

[lemlux]

I received my Carley order today. The 2" Carley aluminum reflectors fit perfectly into the 5-3-2.

The top two internal components between the switch assembly and the contact point for the PR bulb are unrestrained and slip out when the head is removed. While these two pieces are removed there appears to be plenty of room to solder the end of a W/A "S" base ceramic bulb socket pigtails to positive and negative contacts. The only obstacle I perceive is that the channeled rubber gasket that fits around the narrow outer rim of the 5-3-2 reflector may have to be trimmed to fit the Carley reflector. Alternatively, a Mag gasket would probably work better. Later, I'll determine if my Mag Charger tempered glass lenses fit.

In summary, the 5-3-2 appears to be a much more hospitable mod platform for high wattage incandescent T-2 1/4 and T-2 1/2 bi-pin bulbs than the Mag D lights. I may buy another 5-3-2 for the fun of playing with variable interchangeable battery chamber segments and very bright lamps.

 

[lemlux]

Sorry to report that the Mag Charger lenses have too great a circumference to fit into the 5-3-2 head.

I'll probably want to find a better lens before I mod this light.

 

[lemlux]

I'm pleased to report that Mr. Bulk's 3AA battery pack fits this flashlight.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

I have one of these. I keep a display of 2-6 cell aluminum flashlights up and this does the 5 cell.

They are too big for most uses, and several 2-4 or 6v lantern battery powered lantern lights are far more usefull!

I'm strongly considering a 2D mag LED conversion for a general purpose light.

Playboy Joe Shmoe

 

[lemlux]

PlayboyJoeSchmoe:

The 5-3-2 in either 3D or 2D configuration is 1 5/16" shorter than the comparable Mag. The 5-3-2 is fixed focus which accounts for some of the relative compactness.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

That is something I never noticed or measured.

I have enough flashlights with 2-3 D cells that I don't mess with the 5-3-2 or my Hybrid 6 cell (I'll get more info on it at home - but it is two 3 cells screwed together - head unit is seperate) ezcept to make sure the batteries stay good.

Thanks!