Justintoxicated
Flashlight Enthusiast
I know this mod has been posted before, a couple times recently while I waited for future to get some heatsinks in stock that I ordered that I have absolutly NO use for! DOH!
Anyways I thougth I would share my experiences as a Newb to help others that are new to modding flashlights
I have a newer version of the mag despite the strange serial# on the package, it does not match the serial on the light. So all this time I was looking at the wrong one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Items used:
Lux III SX1J Bin
M@G 3C (new style) serial starts with a C
Hotlips C size HS, I purchased 2 sleves I have no use for...
UCL Lense.
AS Epoxy.
So first I started by removing the switch with an allen werench, simply take the rubber button off and stick the allen in the hole and turn until lose. The switch will drop out.
(Pic of how you want the switch to look after you remove the post) You will need to cut the metal tab down so it is just large enough stub to solder a wire onto.
next remove as much of the bulb assembly as you can and throw this in the trash, (or keep it if you collect junk) I used a razor to split the switch in 2. OOPS ! I was not expecting tabs on the switch so I manged to breake one off.
Remove the brown plastic bulb tower(post) and re-assemble the switch. I had to use superglue to get get mine back together.
Slide the switch back into the tube and tighten into palce. Replace the rubber cap.
Insert the Hotlips HS into the light (mine fit tightly without sanding) Next time I will toss some artic ceramique on the endges to futher spread the heat into the base of the light.
Next I used a hacksaw and cut the bottem of the mag reflector off. *my first attempt I started cutting it right off at the base where it changes to the reflector. Do not do this, you must actualy leave about 2mm on the base or you will cut into the reflector) Si I put that reflector into my D cell mag and used the D's reflector in the C mag, they are identical.
Remove the old lense and insert the UCL lense.
I used AS epoxy to glue the light to the heatsink.
Here it is in all it's glory with the wires soldered to the hotlips and the Lux III glued in place.
here it is all put together with the UCL lense on the front.
Now for the Beamshots:
Yes they kinda suck because I do not have a good location to take them
3D mag on the left (almsot new batteries)
3C mag ont he right (almsot new batteries but slightly dimmer than new batts)
Honestly this picture does the light no justice.
Here the Light is in candle mode, you canunscrew the top and set it into the base and use it for a candle type light. The room is pitch dark except for the M@glite.
Notes:
1) Be careful taking apart the switch they are not all the same!
2) Do not cut the bease of the mag reflector straight off! Measure the distance the reflector protrueds into the tube.
3) My broken switch had to be stuffed back intot he light, the superglue made it ever so slightly wider than before. This will make it very difficult to remove now that the hotlips is stuck in there on the top. It also makes the hotlips very difficult to remove. (have to get the switch out first somehow)
4)UCL lense is a must IMO.
5) I had to drill the holes in the hotlips slightly larger.
5) Im dissipointed in the perfectness of the beam, although far superior to a typical mag, it is not a perfect circle. So now I have to figure out how to sputter the lense.
* I'll try to shrink the pics when I get some free time, but I'm relaly buisy right now.
Anyways I thougth I would share my experiences as a Newb to help others that are new to modding flashlights
I have a newer version of the mag despite the strange serial# on the package, it does not match the serial on the light. So all this time I was looking at the wrong one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Items used:
Lux III SX1J Bin
M@G 3C (new style) serial starts with a C
Hotlips C size HS, I purchased 2 sleves I have no use for...
UCL Lense.
AS Epoxy.
So first I started by removing the switch with an allen werench, simply take the rubber button off and stick the allen in the hole and turn until lose. The switch will drop out.
(Pic of how you want the switch to look after you remove the post) You will need to cut the metal tab down so it is just large enough stub to solder a wire onto.
next remove as much of the bulb assembly as you can and throw this in the trash, (or keep it if you collect junk) I used a razor to split the switch in 2. OOPS ! I was not expecting tabs on the switch so I manged to breake one off.
Remove the brown plastic bulb tower(post) and re-assemble the switch. I had to use superglue to get get mine back together.
Slide the switch back into the tube and tighten into palce. Replace the rubber cap.
Insert the Hotlips HS into the light (mine fit tightly without sanding) Next time I will toss some artic ceramique on the endges to futher spread the heat into the base of the light.
Next I used a hacksaw and cut the bottem of the mag reflector off. *my first attempt I started cutting it right off at the base where it changes to the reflector. Do not do this, you must actualy leave about 2mm on the base or you will cut into the reflector) Si I put that reflector into my D cell mag and used the D's reflector in the C mag, they are identical.
Remove the old lense and insert the UCL lense.
I used AS epoxy to glue the light to the heatsink.
Here it is in all it's glory with the wires soldered to the hotlips and the Lux III glued in place.
here it is all put together with the UCL lense on the front.
Now for the Beamshots:
Yes they kinda suck because I do not have a good location to take them
3D mag on the left (almsot new batteries)
3C mag ont he right (almsot new batteries but slightly dimmer than new batts)
Honestly this picture does the light no justice.
Here the Light is in candle mode, you canunscrew the top and set it into the base and use it for a candle type light. The room is pitch dark except for the M@glite.
Notes:
1) Be careful taking apart the switch they are not all the same!
2) Do not cut the bease of the mag reflector straight off! Measure the distance the reflector protrueds into the tube.
3) My broken switch had to be stuffed back intot he light, the superglue made it ever so slightly wider than before. This will make it very difficult to remove now that the hotlips is stuck in there on the top. It also makes the hotlips very difficult to remove. (have to get the switch out first somehow)
4)UCL lense is a must IMO.
5) I had to drill the holes in the hotlips slightly larger.
5) Im dissipointed in the perfectness of the beam, although far superior to a typical mag, it is not a perfect circle. So now I have to figure out how to sputter the lense.
* I'll try to shrink the pics when I get some free time, but I'm relaly buisy right now.
