SF MN21 not fitting in SC2 Correctly

[StandardBattery]

Hi, has anyone else had a problem with the MN21 not fitting properly in the SC2 spares carrier? I thought I'd put my lamp in the carrier and found out that it appears to long, when inserted the base of the socket does not meet the carrier and this when putting on the top of the carrier there is significant spring compression on the lamp and the force is on the tip of the lamp rather than the base.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Solscud007]

Not with mine. I have the same setup. I used a digital caliper to measure the length of the bulb. From the top of the base to the tip of the bulb is 33mm. The socket in the SC2 is 34mm deep. so there is plenty of room for mine. If you have a caliper measure yours and use the stick part to measure the depth of the SC2. If it is longer than the SC2 is deep then call SF.

 

[socom1970]

I also have had problems with fitting the MN21 into the SC2. I have 3 or 4 of the MN21 LA's and all of them are just a bit too long. They fit, but the tip of the bulb on the LA touches the bottom of the SC2, which unfortunately puts tension on the bulb part of the LA.

 

[Size15's]

It was an issue observed almost immediately after people started trying to use the SC2 for the MN21. There is obviously some variation in envelope length - some fit (the ones SureFire tried must have), but some don't (several of mine as well).
I don't imagine SureFire will be any more inclined to modify their SC2 now then they were when the issue was first raised.

 

[StandardBattery]

Thanks for the quick replies. I did measure the SC2 and it was 33mm deep, the lamp extended from the base 34.8mm.

I guess as long as it goes in the light I'm OK. I'll get another MN20 for backup, since I've been enjoying the M6 again and it makes a great comparison against LED lights.

I wonder if this is because they are adjusted for focus, or just no tollerance control?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Size15's]

I wonder if this is because they are adjusted for focus, or just no tollerance control?

The bulb is set in the Lamp Assembly with the filament in focus. That's why sometimes the bulb will not be straight - they don't align the bulb - they align the filament and this can sometimes mean that the bulb is set higher or lower, or perfectly straight, or not etc.

 

[Illum]

Surefire strives for precision and often the resultant products just simply fit together too snugly for user's likeings.

My SC3 wouldn't take cr123As without a little bit of sanding...and even after rounding the battery seat out a bit with 1000 grain sandpaper [I use what I have] the batteries still go in quite snug. Certain MA02s won't fit either...I have 4 MA02s to work with and of the 4 2 wouldn't fit

 

[Size15's]

I admire your dedication to achieving something that works from that SC3 you have. I would have arranged with SureFire to have it replaced.

Now that I don't tend to use incandescent flashlights I have three or four (they're all over the place so it's hard to know how many I actually have...)
I have three or four SC3's and they work great.

 

[kelmo]

I solved this problem with a #8 O-ring. The dimensions are 9/16" outer diameter, 3/8" inner diameter, with a nominal thickness of 3/32". I place this around the plastic support post on the LA. This raises the glass envelope 3/32" from the bottom of the SC2 well. The O-ring is approximately the same dimension as the lamp well lip so the ring compressess but still adds to the lamp well depth. The compression on the LA assembly is now expressed on the assembly base instead of the glass envelope itself. This also works well for my MN60 LAs. You just have to remember to remove the O-ring before inserting the LA into your turbohead. I hope this helps!

 

[Size15's]

Please can you share some photos of your solution?

 

[kelmo]

Please can you share some photos of your solution?

I don't have the means/know how (I can't create an album for some reason) to do so. I could email the photos to someone who could then post them (I just took them). PM me with a email address and I can take and send the photos to someone who could then post them.

 

[ampdude]

Can't you just drill or cut out the bottom of the SC2 ever so slightly if you are planning on using it with an MN21?