LED Flashlight Upgrade

Moonlite37 · Jun 1, 2018

Anybody upgrade a 2 cell mag-light to LED. I see that kits are available, but wonder if the conversion is worthwhile

T.R.K. · Jun 1, 2018

If that is the retrofit kit Lowes sells, it makes the Mag-lite almost into the light they should already be building. My only complaint is that it retains the 'screw on-screw off' light switch that they originally had. When dropped a few times, that switch quits being reliable, and its apt to go off when you need it most. Shake it or tap it to get it back on, that short of thing.

The new button switch included in that kit that substitues for the end cover does make it possible to do away with that original switch however. I just hammer a piece of copper wire flat and substitute it for that little piece of metal they use-it jumps from one leg of the led to the case.

P.S. those switches in that kit are not fuel resistant. I dropped one in a fuel tank once.

JF in MI · Jun 1, 2018

I have done many. I changed over one of the big 2 or 3 cell D battery ones and measured the draw. It's just as bright, maybe brighter, but uses 1/5th the amps. Have a bunch of the Mini Mags converted; twice as bright while using only 2/3ds the amps. One note of caution with the Minis; as mentioned below they still use the twist on (which I don't mind) but it causes a "pull" each time on the terminals. This has sometimes pulled one of the wires out of the LED module. I grease the wires (with silicone grease) before install and it seems to stop the problem. The module also only works one way IIRC and won't light the other. Also, unlike a bulb, it won't get dim before it quits altogether however never had one quit yet before the batteries leak and corrode into the case.

Tim in OR · Jun 1, 2018

I have used converted Mini Mag's for years. The thing I notice, is the light seems to start getting green when the batteries are getting low. When I see green tint, I know its time for batteries.
Tim in OR

Fred Werring · Jun 2, 2018

Converted a 3 d-cell to led, light output was about the same as the incandescent. Really can't remember if it was a maglite brand conversion or another brand.

Work bought us 2 d-cell maglite led flashlights...they are impressive, way brighter than my converted light.

And with the price of conversions vs a new light and what the end result is, I'd buy the new light.

Fred
Maglite on Amazon

kevinstuff · Jun 6, 2018

Maglite has Xeon bulb conversion
Very bright , and under $5

calf · Jun 8, 2018

What kits are you seeing? And where? Are any of them for the 2AA maglites? I see what are supposed to be droppin LED bulbs on ebay/Amazon for 2AA maglites.

Thanks.

(quoted from post at 02:33:51 06/02/18) Anybody upgrade a 2 cell mag-light to LED. I see that kits are available, but wonder if the conversion is worthwhile

dkeav · Jun 11, 2018

(quoted from post at 18:33:51 06/01/18) Anybody upgrade a 2 cell mag-light to LED. I see that kits are available, but wonder if the conversion is worthwhile

It can be worth it only in the sense that you already own the maglight and don't want to be wasteful. Otherwise while maglights were the gold standard for so many years, their technology is just so far inferior to what is available now days to not really be an option anymore. You can pick up a proper LED flashlight that is far superior to anything mag offers now for under $20 from a place like Mountain Electronics. I've got a few of the Convoy S2's stashed all over my vehicles and tool boxes, they are great. I basically don't buy anything flashlight or so now days unless it uses a protected 18650 Li-ion rechargable cell. That S2 is about the size of a minimag and far brighter than a 6cell mag light that has been converted and has a fresh lense (I have converted my mag lights before switching, so could compare).

tl;dr: Maglights are awesome billy clubs, but terrible flashlight platforms in 2018, switch to modern high quality LED and Li-Ion batteries.

Bret4207 · Jun 12, 2018

I just did an LED conversion on my 6 or 7 D cell Maglite. It's about as bright as the regular bulb, but "whiter" light. The kit I used was the cheapy $15.00 single bulb kit. After making the purchase I found out there is a much more expensive $75.00-ish kit that uses 3 LED bulbs (I think) that is rated for many times the lumens the single buld is. For $15 I'm ok with what I got, but I'm not paying $75 for a freakin' light bulb!

LED Flashlight Upgrade

Moonlite37

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T.R.K.

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JF in MI

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Tim in OR

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Fred Werring

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kevinstuff

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calf

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dkeav

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Bret4207

Well-known Member

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