Monster Mag

[bikeg]

I created a monster.
Might as well review it!
Anyone can do this.

Cost: $45.00+
Durability: Very good
Finish: so so type II Anodizing
Fit and Feel: Heavy but very well made
Battery life: OMG about 5 times longer than a normal 3D Maglite.
Throw of light: Distance is very close to the regular bulbs.
Output of light: hehe...Light fuse...get away from light:rolleyes:

What I have done is this.
Regular 3 D cell maglite.
Sears 3AAA LED Toollight

Here is what I did.
Take the head off of the Maglite, take bulb out and stomp on it.
Take the head off the Sears Toollite take the PR based Luxeon LED out of said light, insert this LED into the socket on the Maglite.
Put the head back on. Light fuse and get away.

The light that comes out of this thing is pure white. DO NOT look into this beam!
The distance of normal Maglites is very hard to beat, However, this thing is a close match with the led upgrade in it.
One of the problems with the normal maglite bulb is that when you drop the light, you will bust the bulb or the filament will tweak rendering you a useless light. well, with the led in it I dont care if you use your mag as a hammer...that LED will remain bright and will not break.
Battery life on Mags is horrible. the LED light has ran for three weeks know and is just ever so slightly dimmer than what is was with a regular bulb.

Important note here:
It Must be a 3d cell Maglite, 4D cell will overdrive the LED
2D Cell will underdrive it.
Must be the 3aaa Sears toolight with the single Luxeon led in it, It is the only light with the PR based led bulb in it.

BTW, seeing that you smashed the bulb that came out of your old Maglite, you could have put it in the toollite:eek:

Hope this helps!

[bikeg]

I will have some pics up soon, also with beamshots

[Samuel]

bikeg, good job with the modding!

For those of you looking to mod a 3 cell mag similar to what bikeg did, here is another option:

Diamond makes 1 watt and 3 watt replacement (PR based) luxeon LEDs for C and D cell mag lights. The 1 watt is used in 2 cell (C&D) mags and the 3 watt is used in 3 cell (C&D) mags.

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...magbulbs3w.htm
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...magbulbs1w.htm

Here is just one place you can find the Diamond 3W LEDs:
http://www.quality-items-flashlights...eon-LED-s.html

note that the white LEDs on this particular site are on sale right now for 24.95 - which is only about $5 more than a typical price (19.99-24.95) for a Craftsman 3AAA 1watt LED light (also compare mail order price with walk in purchase price) (http://www.bobvila.com/ProductServic...anterns-3.html) BUT you'll be getting a 3W LED compared to a 1 W (IMO, well worth the "small" difference in price)...

Also, if you start LED modding maglights, you might want to consider replacing the lens with something like a UCL (ultra clear lens) available here: http://www.flashlightlens.com/ not really as rugged as the stock lens but whoa do they transmit the light!

And, like bikeg said, these things will run just about forever (check the runtime chart - for 3D cells, 11+ HOURS)! Get some high capacity rechargeable NiMH's and you'll be all set!

[bikeg]

Good stuff above sam!

One problem I discovered while revamping and bringing new life to Mags was the throw of the light or the distance. Some LED upgrades for mags come with a new reflector, or it is a mass array of little 5mm bulbs with no reflector which in turn, kills the throw and turns the light into a close quarters floodlight, great for building searches etc, but for anything greater than say..30-40 feet you will be disapointed.
If you want distance use leds that use the stock mag reflector or one better than stock.
If you want a flood light use a multi LED array or a aftermarket reflector that kills the throw.
Either way you have onehelluva light,
I also do use as Sam pointed out a clear glass lens. Really makes a difference.
There are lenses out there with a anti reflective coating, but it will kill the throw.

Wifey has the camera so no pics today

I will be trying the new 5 watt luxeon V in a conversion when the prices come down. Hmmmm..6D Maglite...Luxeon V....Lithium Batterys...Hmmm could create a three foot long soldering iron!:eek:

All in the name of science I guess!

[bikeg]

Both lights are 3D Mags one on left is standard out of the box Mag bulb and the Holy crud bright one is a 3D Mag with a Luxeon Led. Batterys on both are fresh, distance is about 20 feet on narrow focus.

Big difference huh?

Mag for the most part are antiques compared to the newer modern lights, but I love the mags and the feel and distance they get. These are quick easy ways to turn that old mag into a serious piece of duty gear.

[Samuel]

Hey bike, I've got a space needle II clone and have found that the stock Mag reflector is really on the small side for a Lux V - a larger reflector/head (like a FiveMega 3" or new 3.5") would make a huge difference! It still is bright as all heck, though! :D

http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/spaceneedle2.htm
http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/sn2build.htm

[bikeg]

Hey bike, I've got a space needle II clone and have found that the stock Mag reflector is really on the small side for a Lux V - a larger reflector/head (like a FiveMega 3" or new 3.5") would make a huge difference! It still is bright as all heck, though! :D

http://darkgear.com/mrbulk/sn2build.htm

I have heard of the needle, my o my....wooof!

THAT is sweet! I can see a Lux V Overpowering the stock reflector.
Heck...MELTING the reflector!
Hmm, I wonder how much voltage that Lux V can really take and still have a long life span. If it can handle more juice from the batterys then the possibilities open even further.
love to see some side by side shots of a stock Mag vs the Needle:eek: ]

Good to see another Flashaholic on here!