mdarby
Newly Enlightened
Somebody posted a great mod for a Mag2C, putting 3 CR123s in series, held by automotive tubing, new using a 5-cell Xenon or Krypton bulb from Radio Shack. I loved that mod, very simple and nice and bright.
Recently CPFer larryk mentioned doing the same thing with 3 rechargeable 123s and a WA 1185 bulb. However, there were a number of questions about safety, ie. would the batteries start a fire.
I gathered from reading CPF that primary 123s are less hazardous than rechargeable 123s. (IS THIS CORRECT IN GENERAL?) So I tried to see if I could get four primary 123 lithium batteries in a Mag2C. It turns out that if I remove the spare bulb, and invert the tail cap spring so the smaller rings point towards the tail cap instead or torwards the head, I can JUST BARELY get four 123 batteries in and screw the tail cap shut. I've had trouble reliably completing the circuit with the last battery and spring, because the spring is touching the flat end of the 123. I think if I get a small spring which interlocks with the Mag2c tailcap spring, and points towards the final 123 I can get good contact.
I haven't been able to get it working well enough to compare versus my MagCharger60. It seems to be drawing 2.8A, but this is on 3 Radio Shack and 1 generic 123. I assume if I use higher quality SF batteries I'll get better current and brightness.
Thanks for reading! I hadn't seen this particular mod before, but if it's already been done and perfected, I would certainly appreciate a pointer to the right thread.
Michael
Recently CPFer larryk mentioned doing the same thing with 3 rechargeable 123s and a WA 1185 bulb. However, there were a number of questions about safety, ie. would the batteries start a fire.
I gathered from reading CPF that primary 123s are less hazardous than rechargeable 123s. (IS THIS CORRECT IN GENERAL?) So I tried to see if I could get four primary 123 lithium batteries in a Mag2C. It turns out that if I remove the spare bulb, and invert the tail cap spring so the smaller rings point towards the tail cap instead or torwards the head, I can JUST BARELY get four 123 batteries in and screw the tail cap shut. I've had trouble reliably completing the circuit with the last battery and spring, because the spring is touching the flat end of the 123. I think if I get a small spring which interlocks with the Mag2c tailcap spring, and points towards the final 123 I can get good contact.
I haven't been able to get it working well enough to compare versus my MagCharger60. It seems to be drawing 2.8A, but this is on 3 Radio Shack and 1 generic 123. I assume if I use higher quality SF batteries I'll get better current and brightness.
Thanks for reading! I hadn't seen this particular mod before, but if it's already been done and perfected, I would certainly appreciate a pointer to the right thread.
Michael