niner
Enlightened
Is there any replacement (may be better?) switch for Mag D? I know AW made one with multi-level, but it doesn't work that well with LED. Any other choice?
Replacement switch for Mag D?
- Thread starter niner
- Start date
Al Combs
Enlightened
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2007
- Messages
- 872
The original switch can carry something like 6 amps reliably. And you can even take it apart and clean it with a pencil eraser if necessary. That should be more than enough for any single LED. You can buy them cheap from several places. Here's one where the switch is only 3 bucks. The shipping might sting a bit by comparison.
There are two types. The one with the D prefix in the serial number is considered the new type. You pinch the rubber switch cover with your fingernails and pull it out. If you don't have fingernails, carefully use the tip of a slotted screwdriver on the edge of the rubber. Next use a 5/64th" Allen wrench through the small hole in the center of the switch post. Unscrew it just a few turns and the whole assembly should fall out the rear.
The old type switch removal is the same except there is in addition a chrome retaining ring you take out through the front. Failing a pin spanner, the right size needle nosed pliers will work just fine. The old switch comes out through the front.
There are two types. The one with the D prefix in the serial number is considered the new type. You pinch the rubber switch cover with your fingernails and pull it out. If you don't have fingernails, carefully use the tip of a slotted screwdriver on the edge of the rubber. Next use a 5/64th" Allen wrench through the small hole in the center of the switch post. Unscrew it just a few turns and the whole assembly should fall out the rear.
The old type switch removal is the same except there is in addition a chrome retaining ring you take out through the front. Failing a pin spanner, the right size needle nosed pliers will work just fine. The old switch comes out through the front.
niner
Enlightened
Thanks for the info!
Justin Case
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 3,797
Same procedure for C and D Mags.
Before removing the switch completely, try loosening the set screw for the switch, re-positioning the switch in the Mag body to make sure it is well-centered, and then re-tightening the set screw. I suspect that sometimes the set screw isn't making good ground contact with the little indent in the Mag body, causing apparent switch problems.
The set screw should bear against the indent seen here:
If the set screw doesn't bear against this indent, then possibly the set screw isn't making good contact with bare metal, but instead is pressing against anodized aluminum, which is not a good ground.
For instructions for removing the switch in new version Mags, see this link.
For the old version Mags, see these instructions.
I've unscrewed the retaining ring (12) for the old Mags by using the tips of fine needlenose pliers. Once the ring is loosened, the same 5/64" Allen wrench used to loosen the switch also can be used to unscrew the ring the rest of the way quickly.
One caution. The two halves of the switch for one of my old C Mags were not glued or otherwise well attached. So when I popped the switch out of the Mag body, the two halves flew apart under spring pressure. Fortunately, I found all of the little parts but it took a lot of praying to the carpet god.
So when you slide the switch out of the Mag tube, hold onto the fat barrel part of the switch to make sure it stays together.
Before removing the switch completely, try loosening the set screw for the switch, re-positioning the switch in the Mag body to make sure it is well-centered, and then re-tightening the set screw. I suspect that sometimes the set screw isn't making good ground contact with the little indent in the Mag body, causing apparent switch problems.
The set screw should bear against the indent seen here:
If the set screw doesn't bear against this indent, then possibly the set screw isn't making good contact with bare metal, but instead is pressing against anodized aluminum, which is not a good ground.
For instructions for removing the switch in new version Mags, see this link.
For the old version Mags, see these instructions.
I've unscrewed the retaining ring (12) for the old Mags by using the tips of fine needlenose pliers. Once the ring is loosened, the same 5/64" Allen wrench used to loosen the switch also can be used to unscrew the ring the rest of the way quickly.
One caution. The two halves of the switch for one of my old C Mags were not glued or otherwise well attached. So when I popped the switch out of the Mag body, the two halves flew apart under spring pressure. Fortunately, I found all of the little parts but it took a lot of praying to the carpet god.
So when you slide the switch out of the Mag tube, hold onto the fat barrel part of the switch to make sure it stays together.
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