I get free cheapo D cell flashlights at work for "work" and one night I was bored so I took out one of the D cells and replaced it with a 3 cell AAA holder out of an LED flashlight. The result as you can imagine was the bulb burned out after a short time, however during that time it was at least 20 times brighter than before. Has anyone tried converting a 2 D cell flashlight with (2) 3 cell AAA holder? Obviously I would have to buy higher voltage bulbs but I was wondering if anyone has tried this before. I also get free AA and AAA batteries at work so that's why I'm interested in the conversion to AAA or AA and not CR123 or other type batteries. This would be my version of the infamous $10 flashlight hack, but really for under $10 this time as everything is free to me except the bulb and battery holders.
D Cell 3v to AAA or AA 9v
- Thread starter rtrot1975
- Start date
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DM51
Flashaholic
Welcome to CPF, etrot1975 
I'll move your question to our Batteries section.
I'll move your question to our Batteries section.
Cheap 3AA->D adapters are available from various sources (for example). The quality is about what you'd expect, but they should be fine for your application. There are more (and much more) expensive 6AA->2D options as well, but they're probably overkill for a cheap 2D lights that's going to (presumably) run on alkalines.
VidPro
Flashlight Enthusiast
Has anyone tried converting a 2 D cell flashlight with (2) 3 cell AAA holder?
one of the issues with the series AA converter is (often but not alway) it cant handle the current flows. so watch for that, or wire the coverter better, or check out the myriad of AA converters that are much more expencive and handle the current.
soo that is one thing you should be aware of, a 3AA converter meltdown could cause a really bad shorting and cause you a lot of troubles.
but getting a good balanced Pr?? bulb that is not TOO high of current , and your on your way. the bulb items used and its current at those voltages will be what "sets" the current flow max.
one of the issues with the series AA converter is (often but not alway) it cant handle the current flows. so watch for that, or wire the coverter better, or check out the myriad of AA converters that are much more expencive and handle the current.
soo that is one thing you should be aware of, a 3AA converter meltdown could cause a really bad shorting and cause you a lot of troubles.
but getting a good balanced Pr?? bulb that is not TOO high of current , and your on your way. the bulb items used and its current at those voltages will be what "sets" the current flow max.
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There is dozens of threads where people have used from 3C, 3 123 cells to 4,6, and 8 AAs in 2D lights to power bulbs and LEDs. This has been going on here since I have been reading in the forums. A lot of the mods have been about overdriving bulbs to get extra brightness out of a bulb at the expense of longevity. Some of the most powerful hotwires are based upon Mag D cell lights using multiple AAs driving bipin bulbs in special ceramic sockets with all aluminum reflectors and glass lenses. The 123 mod is one of the cheaper ones if you buy them in bulk for ~1 or so each 3 of them in a 2D light driving a 7.2v bulb I think makes for a cheap bright light and doesn't require adapters just a tube and maybe replacing/modding the tailcap to fit them properly.
