Mag "clone like" modding??

[a51zombie]

Hello,
I'm new to posting, long time lurker in the LED forum. Well anyways while cleaning out the laundry room I found a older incandescent light that is what I would consider a cheap clone. It's takes 3 C cells and it just a run-o-themill light. Curious if I'd just be better off chucking this bad boy or trying modding out? If it's a waste of time just say so and save me the $$ I'd be interested in what mods would be "doable" if anyone thinks it'd be worth it.

Goals are:
Low cost
Long battery life (both used and shelved)
Good light for backyard dog duty, current lights are either to bright and flood neighbors houses or are just not bright enough.

Never modded a light, but have tinkered with lots of stuff!!

Thanks for any input!!

 

[andersonEE]

Could you post pictures of the light. Including one with it taken apart.

 

[a51zombie]

sure can! Will try to get some shots up tomorrow afternoon, Thanks!

 

[a51zombie]

If any other shots would be helpful in the evaluation just lmk and I'll post em. Guess I was wrong about the cell size and quantity. Is a D cell light, takes 2 of them and they go into that plastic holder you can see in image 3.

 

[^Gurthang]

That light looks very similar to one sold at a local surplus / salvage store. I looked at it as a host but ruled it out. Its plastic lined w/ a flimsy battery holder. No reasonable way to install a decent heatsink either. Cheap plastic reflector too. Too much plastic, not enough metal...

M@G is the host of choice for big lumen LED and hotwire builds for one reason; its built like a tank. Its all metal [other than the switch body] w/ acceptable build quality...

 

[andersonEE]

I agree, this would not be good for modding due to all the plastic. I would just get a maglite and then search these forums for the type of mod you want to do. There are many different guides for a variety of different combinations.

Also, I think your pics are too big. Limit is 800x800px. Better resize before the mods see.

 

[alpg88]

i had a light like that before, dim and heavy, there aren't many options to mod this light due to reasons mentioned above, there is 1 way, to make it brighter, but i'll cost more than the light itself.
6AA cells adapter, and 5cell magnumstar bulb,
all those led pr bulbs will not be any brighter than original bulb. i have like 4 at home, spend about $100 on them before, what a waste.
there is another way, to remove reflector, cut it off, glue a led module, i,ve done that before many times, but that is not an easy fix.