How can I get AA eneloops to work in D cell Maglite?

[zzzarkt]

Greetings all, long time lurker here with a question I could not find an answer to using the search. Thanks to CPF I discovered the Sanyo eneloop batteries and picked up some. Got the Costco pack with adapters and charger and was looking forward to using them in my 4-D cell Maglite.

As you can probably guess I was disappointed to find out that the eneloop adapters will not work in the D cell Maglite, due to the lack of contact with the end cap spring.

Can anyone recommend adapters that will work with the D cell Maglite? Or a possible solution with the adapters I already have? Would bending the spring coil so that it makes contact with the battery work?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I have learned much from CPF already, as my growing collection of Fenix's, Surefire's and Malkoff dropins is testament.

Thanks.

 

[Power Me Up]

Can anyone recommend adapters that will work with the D cell Maglite? Or a possible solution with the adapters I already have? Would bending the spring coil so that it makes contact with the battery work?

Yes, although the spring can be difficult to bend.

Another possible solution could be to use a coin of the right size - just a bit smaller diameter than the inside of the Maglite - it can make it a bit more difficult to fully tighten the end cap but it should still be possible - I've done it with a 4C Maglite...

 

[zzzarkt]

Thank you for the suggestion, any risk of harm to the light or batteries by using a coin like that? I forgot to mention I am using the single LED Malkoff dropin in this Maglite.

Thanks again! :thanks:

 

[FredM]

Make sure whatever you use will stay where it is installed and there will be no damage. I think the best solution would be to solder a coin or disk on the spring.

 

[mdocod]

You could make an investment in D size NIMH LSD cells from accupower, and get 10,000mAH capacity instead of just 2,000mAH per cell. This would make much better use of the large body of the mag for energy storage.

OH!, and WELCOME TO CPF!

 

[lctorana]

Or just do what I do. D NiCads.

 

[zzzarkt]

Thanks for the welcome, and for the suggestions. I wasn't really looking to buy any different rechargeables right now, just hoping I could get the AA eneloops to work.

I will try the coin fix, would a washer from a hardware store work too? What material should the washer be made of? Still if anyone knows of a decent adapter that would work I would appreciate it.

 

[Marduke]

A penny with a slight dome shape would work best.

 

[FredM]

Thanks for the welcome, and for the suggestions. I wasn't really looking to buy any different rechargeables right now, just hoping I could get the AA eneloops to work.

I will try the coin fix, would a washer from a hardware store work too? What material should the washer be made of? Still if anyone knows of a decent adapter that would work I would appreciate it.

There is really no premade adaptor, you will just have to make something work.

If you want a better solution to use your eneloops get a adaptor to get 12 eneloops in your light. try to run them 6S2P then run a ROP low.

Or just run them plain ole 4S3P and have extra long runtime.

I think the adaptor is about 20 dollars.

here is the link

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195976

 

[JamisonM]

Would bending the spring coil so that it makes contact with the battery work?

Yes it would. I had the same problem with a P7 maglite I built several weeks ago. It's very simple and all you need is a pair of pliers. All you have to do is bend the very top wire of the spring.
Our problem.

After using the Pliers.

 

[zzzarkt]

My thanks to all who posted and helped with my problem. Especially to JamisonM for the spring suggestion and the :kewlpics: Tried it and it worked great.

Thanks again to all for helping a new guy.