No more maglite LM3a001 bulbs?

[junkman]

I use a AAA minimag at work a lot because I deal with color coding on wiring and inside equipment. It is my EDC light. My eyes have problems telling the difference between some colors with LED flashlights. Last time I went to get replacement bulbs I noticed there is only 1 choice now. The LM2A001 which was originally the bulb for the AA mini's but now its Xenon and spec'ed for AAA/AA. Better brighter bulb yes, on AA. But these eat AAA batteries like crazy.

I tried to search around the internet and see if there was a generic replacement for the minimag still made and came up with the information that the bulb is a "T1" style bulb but there are tons of T1 options at electronic parts supply places. Is there some application other then minimags these type of bulbs where used on? Or an industry standard number like the flanged base D/C bulbs cross reference to standard PRxx numbers?

 

[BVH]

If you run into a problem finding the oem incan bulbs, I can pull the in-use and spare bulbs from tailcaps of lights that are donated to our non-profit store which don't work due to leakage inside or other damage. I'd estimate we might get 6-10 lights a year.

 

[bykfixer]

The T1 bulb was used in 2aa flashlights by Brinkmann, Bright Star and others back before the xenon bulb. It is in essence very similar to a Maglite bulb in some respects but it has a larger, more "bulb" shaped, sometimes frosted globe.

The Maglite krypton was a lot brighter for sure,

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

^^ I found some here. The 2A001 model

 

[junkman]

If you run into a problem finding the oem incan bulbs, I can pull the in-use and spare bulbs from tailcaps of lights that are donated to our non-profit store which don't work due to leakage inside or other damage. I'd estimate we might get 6-10 lights a year.

Thank you for your kind offer but I wouldn't wan't to trouble you. I don't have a problem just yet since there are still some NewOldStock ones on Ebay . For now I just want to find an affordable way I could stock up in bulk.
But if I was you I would be saving those bulbs before they hit the trashbin. Incandescent is getting harder and hard to find every year it seems!

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

^^ I found some here. The 2A001 model

Yes thank you! This looks very promising. I should have guessed just 2A001 would be the trade name.
Weird how their "3A001" is rated at 1.35 volts and the 2A001 is 2.7.
IIRC Maglite LM3A001 is for the 2 cell aaa mini mag not the 1 cell solitare.

 

[Ericbc7]

what is different about the old bulb's light qualities that you are unable to find a suitable led replacement Light?

 

[Alaric Darconville]

what is different about the old bulb's light qualities that you are unable to find a suitable led replacement Light?

I would guess the warmer light and much higher CRI.

Most LEDs are going to be very high CCT and somewhat lower CRI.

Mag sells AA and AAA warm white, high CRI flashlights now, so there's always the full replacement route.

 

[junkman]

what is different about the old bulb's light qualities that you are unable to find a suitable led replacement Light?

I have problems telling reds/orange apart. And sometimes blue/green and violet/rose with LED.

Mag sells AA and AAA warm white, high CRI flashlights now, so there's always the full replacement route.

Thanks for the tip. I dug around maglite's pretty but not very useful website and found this

Mini Maglite AAA LED Spectrum Series Warm White

This Spectrum Series LED Mini Maglite AAA features a warm white beam. Warm white light is the ideal light source for working in tight spaces. - Preferred light for electronic technicians because warm white LEDs allow the entire color spectrum to be seen in detail on wires/cables. Cool white...

maglite.com

 

[JustAnOldFashionedLEDGuy]

Find a flashlight with a high CRI 4000K LED. It will be better overall for telling wires apart especially getting into blues and violets. Those will be common.

I see builds with very high CRI LEDs too (95+). That is every bit as good as your Incan.

 

[vicv]

LEDs are getting better now but would disagree they're just as good as incan. Incans definitely still have some advantages

 

[turbodog]

Or use rechargeable cells to deal with the battery issue. However, the writing's on the wall... I'd find a suitable led light, make sure it works properly, then buy 10 of them. You're good till retirement!

 

[bykfixer]

To me LED has gotten close, but still isn't quite there.

I've gotten used to LED enough to not mind tho.