Modifying a 3 C cell Maglite using lithium at 6-8vdc

[mrfixitman]

I bored out the reflector to accommodate a normal size D cell flashlight led bulb and realized it was the wrong direction as no way to effectively mount the bulb. (I suppose I could solder a couple of pins and mount the bulb through the reflector) Is there a bright bi pin bulb that will tolerate 8vdc and be focusable? I am using two A123 Lithium Iron Phosphate cells. ANR26650M1A Two cells fit nicely at a little over 7vdc. Just stretched the spring a bit. I am having a bit of trouble googling bi pin led that fit the bill.

 

[mrfixitman]

Putting pins on the bulb doesn't work unless you shave off the bulb collar. Then the bulb can pass through the reflector, focus, and the switch might work. So reaming out the reflector does work.

 

[M@elstrom]

If you wanted to go LED... a heatsink pill to mount the emitter to would also work equally well, just need to remove the bulb tower and cut/mod the switch, a driver board with suitable range could be mounted to the underside of the pill.

 

[tx101]

real shame that CPFers like H22A and Britelumens no longer offer Mag heatsinks.
Does anyone know if there are anymore available ?

 

[mrfixitman]

Shaved the collar off the bulb. Attached two brass 22 gauge 1 inch sections to the bulb. Very bright with the modified 4-18vdc bulb. Focusing point is at the oring. Packing tape keeps it together as the threads can't quite reach. The switch doesn't work. The endcap is now the switch. Is it pretty? No. Functional? Very.

 

[M@elstrom]

real shame that CPFers like H22A and Britelumens no longer offer Mag heatsinks.
Does anyone know if there are anymore available ?

Sorry I was unaware these heatsinks were now unavailable, I haven't done much modding over the last 5+ years, thankfully I put a Mag C heatsink aside (for a future project).

 

[mrfixitman]

This is probably the last word on the 3 C cell Maglite modification. The switch is unuseable. The battery cap works well as a switch. The standard drop in led bulb for 2-11 D cell had it's collar ground down and reflector was reamed out to accommodate the large bulb which had 22gage brass wire soldered on for pins. Since the focus point was beyond the thread limit a 1.75 inch inner tube was used to hold the focus point and keep the reflector assembly from falling off. Very functional and attractive modification. I would take bulb pictures but I don't wanna push my luck. Bulb is 4-18 volts. Cost less than $3 including shipping, for the bulb. Total cost $23. Two A123 26650 cells, from an electric bike project, used as a power source. 2 cells at a little more than 7 volts. Casts useable light 100 yards.