Mag Light 3D Mods

[Hitthespot]

My brother just gave me an old Red Mag Light that takes 3 D batteries. It still has the factory bulb in the tail and the light is operational.

I know nothing about modifiying mag lights. I would like to turn this into a LED thrower within a reasonable cost. It also needs a new plastic lens. Would appreciate suggestions on the latest options.

Thanks

Bill

 

[JamisonM]

Do a bit of looking around. There are many drop-ins that simply replace the bulb in a maglite. Many of them are available for around $25. The more powerful ones get close to $100 and even more expensive. I think the most talked about though, are Gene's single emitter drop-in ($75) and the TerraLUX TLE-6EX $25). Coupled with the maglites stock reflector and a UCL lens; they will give you quite a thrower.

 

[LukeA]

MAX throw is accomplished with an aspheric lens, but those are getting hard to find. But, the Malkoff dropin or an SSC mounted to a LITEmania heatsink running at an amp or so will still have killer throw with the stock reflector.

 

[Gunner12]

How much is reasonable?

You could build a good LED light at under $50.

 

[ridgerunner]

I would recommend the TerraLUX MiniStar5 with Luxeon K2 TFFC LED for $25. With the Mag 3D (or 2D), you want the mod with the voltage booster: i.e. the TLE-6EXB model. (the TLE-6EX model is for Mags having 4 or more batteries - the "B" model is for Mags with 2 or 3 batteries.) I got two of these earlier this month here at Battery Junction. And you can enter the "CPF2006" discount coupon for a 5% discount!

This is a very easy "drop-in" replacement for the stock mag bulb and takes all of one minute to install with no tools. I just upgraded 2 of my old Mag 3Ds (and 2 AA Mags and a AAA Mag with similar drop-ins). You can even get a UV bulb for the AA Mag which is pretty cool as a novelty item. Check out this page for all the TerraLUX Mag drop ins.

Cheers!

(Note that I'm a noob around here but these bulbs sure seem bright to me.)

 

[Paul6ppca]

Electro lumens makes a 3 and 4 led drop in(seoul p4 led),600 and 800 lumens.They are around 100 to 120.Not cheap ,but very bright. I have seen the 3 led version,it is bright!!:twothumbs:welcome:

 

[terrasonic]

My brother just gave me an old Red Mag Light that takes 3 D batteries. It still has the factory bulb in the tail and the light is operational.
>
Thanks
Bill

I have this 3D Red Mag from around 1990 that says "Winston" with an eagle above that. It has had a faulty switch since then, so never used, and is in almost mint shape.

When I finally decided to look at how to fix it (that and was browsing for what might be brighter than my Ultringstinger) I came across this forum.

Now...wow, so much to learn here. I'm a gear head and I had no clue people were into "modding" flashlights !! just when I thought I'd done everything there was to do cool, too. :twothumbs

 

[Hitthespot]

Thanks everyone. I like the Electro Lumens @ 800 lumens but cost is too much for me.

Terrasonic, Mine says Winston on it too.

Bill

 

[medicmerlynn]

what are these 600 and 800 lumen drop ins we speak of? i'm interested...

 

[JamisonM]

what are these 600 and 800 lumen drop ins we speak of? i'm interested...

Well, what do you want to know about them? They're just drop-ins, but instead of simply replacing the bulb or bulb and bulb retaining ring, they also replace the reflector as well. I got one of the Elektro Lumens MT-III drop-ins. It's got nice output on alkalines and a noticeably higher output with NiMH's. I doubt it's really putting out 600lm though, but it's still nice. It doesn't throw like my single emitter malkoff, but it's my go to light for around the house now.