Posted: 5/16/2011 12:56:51 AM EDT
| does anyone know of a reasonably priced conversion LED that will fit a 2D Maglite. I was looking recently in my shop and found 4 old Maglites that had collected in my shop, replaced by other lights that were cheaper to use constantly. I am a firefighter and always seem to need a flashlight, so I have amassed a slew of flashlights over the years, and replaced most of my Maglites with several LED Streamlight LED AA lights, a rechargeable Maglight, and a rechargeable Stinger. But after seeing a recomendation for a ?Cree LED module, I was wondering if anyone besides maglight makes an affordable LED to retrofit these lights. I saw the maglite conversion, but they are almost as expensive as the new light. I would like to store several of these lights around the house and in the truck as backups. The only problem I h for the Maglites was that everyone in the department knew I kept these lights in my truck, and would get them out of my truck to use, as they were lighter than the lights we kept on our apparatus. This usually meant that I was buying two large packs of D-cell batteries a month, which got to be a pain. |
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This. You will be well served by Gene's products. VERY well served. |
| the maglite version is the best for the price. Malkoff's are super bright, but expensive. If this is just for back up lights I would stick with the maglite versions. The niteyes versions are not great, but they work. Check out the 1 watt version. The half watt really sucks. |
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I have a 6xD Maglite, and I think the Maglite LED version is probably the best choice for such a voltage, as I am told they are pretty well made. For lesser voltages, mebbe the heat-sink qualities might not be so big a deal, so you have more options for your 2xD.
Batman and skibane seem to have some knowledge of these things, and I defer to them, as I am no expert. |
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I have a 6xD Maglite, and I think the Maglite LED version is probably the best choice for such a voltage, as I am told they are pretty well made. For lesser voltages, mebbe the heat-sink qualities might not be so big a deal, so you have more options for your 2xD. Batman and skibane seem to have some knowledge of these things, and I defer to them, as I am no expert. Skibane knows more about the electronics by far. I just like flashlights..... 
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Dorcy makes a PR based LED bulb for 2 cell (3V) and 3-5 cell (4.5-6 volt) flashlights.
I have the 3V model in a 2C Mag, and it's not bad. Best of all, it's $4.00. Got mine at Orchard Supply. ETA: the 3V bulb is rated 30 lumens and draws .10 amp, so you can get 100+ hours runtime in a 2D light. Great for a long duration light. |
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Quoted: OK, please help me out here. Cost of LED upgrade kit for Maglite - approx $65 Cost of brand new Maglite LED edition - approx $30 Am I missing something here? Yes, you are. The 2D Maglite LED puts out ~40 Lumens for ~ 15 hours. The Niteize 1W LED drop-in puts out ~45 Lumens for ~20 hours. The Malkoff 2D LED drop-in puts out ~ 80 Lumens for ~ 30 hours with Duraleaks and ~ 100 Lumens for ~ 24 hours with NiMH rechargeable's. |
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Are you willing to just a little bit of grinding to get something to fit in a Mag D-size head? If so, check these two out: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5-cree-p4-wc-5-mode-800-lumen-white-light-drop-in-led-module-52-7mm-42mm-8-4v-max-26127
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5-cree-r2-5-mode-1200-lumen-white-light-drop-in-led-module-52-7mm-42mm-8-4v-max-35242 You do have to do a bit of modification, but for $25 or $33 you can have an 800 or 1200 lumen light, respectively. Read the reviews for those to learn how people made them fit. Also, pay attention to input voltage and consider your battery options. If you're putting them in a 2 D-cell light you have 3 main options. #1use 3 C-cells instead (that takes a slight modification of the tail-cap and the use of a piece of PVC pipe as a sleeve). #2 switch to Li-ion cells, but be careful, one reviews says the 8.4 V max is definitely the real max. Some Li-ion batteries (depending on the actual chemistry type) will charge up to a little over 4.2V. #3 get some D-size battery holders that hold 3 AA in series and use AA NiMH batteries for a total of 7.2 V. #3 is my favorite option and that is what I do with all my 2D light mods that require a higher Vin. I primarily use Eneloop batteries and don't want to hassle with anything else so I always try to use the 3AA-to-1D battery adapters. |
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Cost of LED upgrade kit for Maglite - approx $65 The Terralux TLE-6EXB LED conversion is $19.95 - and produces approx. 140 lumens. |
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The Maglites are very outdated. I bought conversion LEDs that were mag brand and they do give out more light than the standard bulbs. Good enough to bring them out of retirement, with enough useable light for shop use.
I carry a single cell CR123 Fenix P2D that easily blows away the maglites. Granted, I can't cave in a cranium with a 3" flashlight......................
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The Maglites are very outdated. I bought conversion LEDs that were mag brand and they do give out more light than the standard bulbs. Good enough to bring them out of retirement, with enough useable light for shop use. I carry a single cell CR123 Fenix P2D that easily blows away the maglites. Granted, I can't cave in a cranium with a 3" flashlight...................... Yes, they are outdated technology, but the bodies can still be scavenged to make ultra high output lights from relatively cheap. I'm currently working on a 1,000 lumen wonder that will cost less than $50 including the price of a brand new 2D host light. The above links I posted will turn your outdated mag into a flaming torch (800-1200 lumens) for less than $35. I do agree though, for the 100-300 lumen range small body flashlights have it all. Size, weight, output, efficiency... |
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You know I've converted a number of my old Maglites so I hate to post this but I will. I bought totally new LED lights, two years in a row now, from Lowes Christmas season for $14 each. Amazing output on those suckers too. Tj I have done the same thing too as they make great gifts too. However, about a month ago while I was at Target I saw that they had a new led model and it was quite a bit brighter then the old one. |