Maglite MagCharger Charger questions

[Mighty Hd]

I just picked up a MagCharger yesterday. It's quite impressive and much brighter than anything that I have so far. While it's nothing like some of the stuff that other members have made, I think this is going to suit me well.

I'm interested in getting an additional battery pack. The problem with this however is the pack has to be in the light body to charge.

One thing I really liked about the Streamlight Stinger that I was looking @ was one could charge a battery without it being in the flashlight.

Does Maglite/Magcharger have anything available along these lines????

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Mighty HD,

Welcome to CPF.

I don't believe there is anything like that available from Mag. You may be able to come up with your own holder, and figure out a way to tie into the Mag Charger charger, or you can set up to use a separate charger.

Most people using the Mag Charger don't bother with extra batteries.

When I encountered a similar problem after getting very interested in the TigerLight, I solved it by purchasing an additional light...

Tom

 

[Mighty Hd]

Is there any type of battery that I can buy that would work in a magcharger and would be capable of charging outside of the unit in a seperate charger?


Thanks for the reply!

 

[THE PUNISHER]

Don't think they make such a charger,making your own??????????

 

[Mighty Hd]

How about the surefire piggyback charger, will that fit these batteries? :sick2:

 

[EvilLithiumMan]

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1154

As you see in the link provided, Stinger SL20 and Magcharger use the same battery. If you can locate a Stinger Piggyback charger, you'll have it made.

 

[turbodog]

You can use 5 loose (unassemled) 1/2 D cells in nimh or nicd. Now you need a charger for them, which isn't too hard. Use a regular charger and make some spacers.

 

[bones_708]

Brinkmann has, or used to, a 3-d maglight clone they sell that was made rechargeable by using a 51/2d batterystick that is the same as the magcharger. Instead of an internal charger they had an external one that you dropped the battery in. I don't think they still have their "Rechargeable" light but they still sell the charger as a "part". That may be the easiest ready-made solution.

http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detai...ACC-2000-1&seriesname=Battery Chargers&id=439

 

[Mighty Hd]

Wow we may be on to something here.

A few more questions so I don't end up burning down my house:

Can I safely charge a maglite battery in this unit?
Is there any worries of overcharging?

Thanks!
:twothumbs

Brinkmann has, or used to, a 3-d maglight clone they sell that was made rechargeable by using a 51/2d batterystick that is the same as the magcharger. Instead of an internal charger they had an external one that you dropped the battery in. I don't think they still have their "Rechargeable" light but they still sell the charger as a "part". That may be the easiest ready-made solution.

http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detai...ACC-2000-1&seriesname=Battery Chargers&id=439

 

[bones_708]

I use it and in theory it's made so you could have one battery stick in a light and one on charge so I would hope that the maintenance trickle charge wouldn't damage the batteries. As far as risk goes there is no worry that it will burst into flames, any more than any other electrical device, at worst it may lessen the life of your batteries, but so far I haven't had a problem. I like vintage lights and one way to be able to get useful light is to to use a battery stick and new bulb to breathe new life into them. My charger gets a far amount of use and so far no problem. You could do a hobby charger setup and I wouldn't doubt your batteries may last longer but the ease and cleanness of this is worth what little I may loose.

 

[Mighty Hd]

Just ordered a unit this morning. I will post with updates on how it does.

Thanks for the link and reply!

 

[Mighty Hd]

Magcharger direct-wire

Can I simply just remove the cig-lighter end of the 12v supplied wire and direct-wire the magcharger w/ a 2-5amp fuse?

 

[SilverFox]

Re: Magcharger direct-wire

Hello Mighty Hd,

Yes.

Tom

 

[NelsonFlashlites]

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1154

As you see in the link provided, Stinger SL20 and Magcharger use the same battery. If you can locate a Stinger Piggyback charger, you'll have it made.

What's a stinger SL-20? I've heard of the streamlight stinger series and the sl20, but never this combination light of which you speak.

The sl-20 has a 6V batt. The stinger has a 3.6V batt. I'm no electical engineer, but I doubt that will work.

SL-20:
http://streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=13
Stinger:
http://streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=7

 

[EvilLithiumMan]

Not being very familiar with Streamlight products, I was simply relying on info from the link I gave. Clearly, it is wrong. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[EvilLithiumMan]

Brinkmann has, or used to, a 3-d maglight clone they sell that was made rechargeable by using a 51/2d batterystick that is the same as the magcharger. Instead of an internal charger they had an external one that you dropped the battery in. I don't think they still have their "Rechargeable" light but they still sell the charger as a "part". That may be the easiest ready-made solution.

http://www.brinkmann.net/Shop/Detai...ACC-2000-1&seriesname=Battery Chargers&id=439

I ordered one of these and have just received it. It uses a wall wart/power brick, but doesn't come with one. Guess I will have to whip one up. Once operational, it will be nice to have for my spare MagCharger battery.

 

[EvilLithiumMan]

If any recent MagCharger owners are interested, a lot of CPF geeks, myself
included, analyzed the MC circuit about a year ago:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=47803

Clearly, the circuit used in the Brinkman Legend 3D is more sophisticated than
that of the MC. Many more components, but still using the ubiquitous LM317T
adjustable regulator. And while the MC was a simple trickle (overnight) charger,
I suspect the Brinkman has both fast and trickle modes, as it has two LEDs.
One is labeled "Charging", the other "Complete".

I guess I will have to discharge a MC battery stick, then put it in the Brinkman charger.
I'll power the charger with a bench power supply, volt & current meters and take some measurements.