Cheap mods for 6D Mag?

[TJJP77]

Hi,

I just picked up a 6D mag pretty cheap and was wondering what kinds of relatively affordable mods I can do to this light to improve output. I've read various threads about Mag85's, but most seem to be based on 3D bodies.

I know I can get a reflector to smooth out the beam...is there a simple bulb drop-in that I can buy without needing to redesign this torch? Is there a bulb that works with the D's or do I need AA rechargeables and a battery holder?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[JimmyM]

Get 6 NiMH D cells and a package of Pelican Big-D bulbs. Use the low output bulb with a hair spray / laquer sputtered Mag reflector or use the high output bulb with a metal stippled reflector.
ROP with massive runtime.
I'm turning my 6D into a giant Mag275. But that requires a regulator.

 

[Alin10123]

Read through this thread. It will answer all of your questions:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=120462

 

[TJJP77]

Cool - I didn't even know they made D-cell nimh's. Any suggestions on where to get the Peli bulbs?


Thanks!
Chris

 

[Brighteyez]

In terms of absolute cheap, replacing the Krypton bulb with a Mag-Num Star Xenon bulb does a pretty good job with that light (6 cell bulb with alkaline batteries, 5 cell bulb with NiMH batteries.)

The next step may be to consider on of the ROP variations
http://lights.lightrefineries.org/?page_id=9

In either case you'll have more run time than the run of the mill conversion using a 2 or 3 cell body with AA batteries.

 

[TJJP77]

Thanks everyone for the replies - I've read most of the info and have another question....why is it so hard to find a cammed aluminum reflector? Seems like the only ones available are camless. I'd like to retain the focusing ability if at all possible.

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[Shreklight]

look under group buys, cpf member fivemega has cammed aluminum reflectors for sale, and lighthound.com sells the pelican #3854 bulbs.

 

[TJJP77]

look under group buys, cpf member fivemega has cammed aluminum reflectors for sale, and lighthound.com sells the pelican #3854 bulbs.

Thanks!

I just ordered up one of the dual function reflectors - very cool!

Chris

 

[moontroll]

You could always try the AA's to experiment with (3) 2D to 6aa's or (6) 3aa's to 1D and find a bulb for it.Then tell the rest of us,then you would be the man. come on ,you can do it:thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thanks: :wave: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:you are the :bow: :bow: :bow: :twothumbs :kewlpics: :grouphug: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

 

[jayhackett03]

my 6D has a xenon 6d bulb, UCL, and MOP uncammed reflector. its nicer than stock.

hey, could i put my ROP low bulb in there as is?

 

[bridgman]

If you're running NiCd or NiMH cells then that would work just fine -- not sure if 6x alkalines would blow the ROP (6v) bulb.

 

[TJJP77]

If you're running NiCd or NiMH cells then that would work just fine -- not sure if 6x alkalines would blow the ROP (6v) bulb.

This is another question I meant to ask - I've now ordered 6 nimh D-cells and the pelican bulb set - why is it that these bulbs can handle the voltage from the nimhs but not alkalines? The "D" size is 1.5v per cell regardless of chemistry, right? I guess it's obvious that I'm no electrical expert.....

Thanks,
Chris

 

[bridgman]

NiMH cells are about 1.4v fully charged and the voltage only drops a bit under load. Alkalines are more like 1.6v new and the voltage drops much more under load. Bulbs are most sensitive to blowing at startup because the filament is cold, resistance is lower, so more current can flow, so a cell that starts with high voltage and drops quickly is a Bad Thing.

Alkalines are better for blowing bulbs; NiMH cells are better for powering bulbs.

The weak link for a typical D-cell flashlight is the batteries. If you put better batteries in a MagLite (the better battery technologies all happen to be rechargeable) the difference is night and day.

Just a word of warning -- with better batteries and a Pelican high bulb you're going to melt the reflector and lens VERY quickly, which is discouraging and smells really bad. Even the low bulb with NiMH batteries will put out MUCH more light than your stock Maglite, and you need to be careful not to run that for too long with stock reflector and lens.

Next step is to learn about different reflector finishes and then update your reflector and lens. Fivemega has some nice cammed reflectors in stock under the "group buys" section, and I think he also has replacement lenses in stock.

EDIT -- I see you already ordered the reflector. Good show

If you didn't order a pyrex ("borofloat") lens at the same time, suggest you add it to the order.