Conversion kits for lights

BigT · May 11, 2020

I didn't want to just throw them out..

alucard0822 said:
If you want a giant heavy light, then by all means, swap in a $10 LED bulb, but if you want an actual improvement in output in a usable size, then look into a new light.

Totally agree with your train of thought! But - I still had this huge group of maglites - mainly 3-4 or 6 D cell sized. I wasn't going to throw them away, so I upgraded with a similar bulb and placed them next to each exit and near our bed's night stands. That way there is always a flashlight in a known location should something happen. And I can do some serious damage one if needed..

And I have multiple streamlight and other "new lights" for EDC, go bags etc.. Plus I have easily accessible headlamps that I use when I need light while using my hands.. To me it's worth the upgrade cost.

alucard0822 · May 11, 2020

omegared24 said:
You're right about what you are saying but one reason many people like those big ass lights is the ability to beat things with it. When I take the trash out at night I carry my big Maglite because it will take an animal or person down with a few good wacks. This second reason may be stupid but it's almost impossible to lose in the house. It's just not practical so it doesn't get slipped in a pocket or a bag. Plus, that battery life is ridiculous.

Pretty much, IMO they are a decent club with a weak outdated flashlight attached to the end.

adit · May 11, 2020

HFT $20/coupon 1500 lumens. Bright as the sun and has high/low and zoom settings.

Bought it for the hell of it. Uses 9AA batteries. Retired my 3/4/5 cell Maglites so now I only need to "stock" AA/AAA/9v batteries.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lumen-led-flashlight-56652.html

https://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/4170_ITEM_1500_LUMEN_LED_FLASHLIGHT_1583896115.3607.png

Rambler · May 11, 2020

I have used these and they work well. The AA version with the tail-cap switch is nice. They sometimes have them at Lowe's in the checkout line impulse purchase area.

https://www.niteize.com/collection/LED-Upgrades.asp

welder516 · May 11, 2020

Bullfrog said:
If the kit you bought only includes the led 'bulb' and not a new reflector keep in mind it may change the light pattern considerably.

I bought the reflector as well , I will make my own front lens using a clear welder front lens and band saw a round .

omegared24 · May 11, 2020

Rambler said:
I have used these and they work well. The AA version with the tail-cap switch is nice. They sometimes have them at Lowe's in the checkout line impulse purchase area.

https://www.niteize.com/collection/LED-Upgrades.asp

That's the one I have for the AA's. One came with the button and LED. The other just had the LED. I'll grab another if I see it at Lowe's.

John from MD · May 11, 2020

welder516 said:
I bought the reflector as well , I will make my own front lens using a clear welder front lens and band saw a round .

FYI, some of my LED lights get pretty hot. All of them have glass lenses. You might think about that before you go cutting that plastic lens on your band saw. :innocent0

welder516 · May 11, 2020

John from MD said:
FYI, some of my LED lights get pretty hot. All of them have glass lenses. You might think about that before you go cutting that plastic lens on your band saw.

I will keep that info. front and center , I thought all LED's were cold to the touch .

John from MD · May 11, 2020

welder516 said:
I will keep that info. front and center , I thought all LED's were cold to the touch .

No way Jose. In fact, if you have the screw it type in your house, touch the base of the bulb. Don't do it for long or you will be looking for the burn lotion. :lol:

dannyp · May 11, 2020

I can't believe noone suggested , SOLVENT TRAP ! LOL

inkd · May 11, 2020

Arcamm said:
What kits did you buy?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I9TI4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

zoostation · May 11, 2020

Great forum for questions such as these. Just a warning. The darn things can get addictive lol. Especially if you like building things. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

inkd · May 11, 2020

zoostation said:
Great forum for questions such as these. Just a warning. The darn things can get addictive lol. Especially if you like building things. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

I wish that guy who was an IP here years ago was still building flashlights. I have a couple of his that are beasts!!!

I gave one to my brother and a bunch of the guys on his squad wanted to know where he got it.

zoostation · May 11, 2020

John from MD said:
FYI, some of my LED lights get pretty hot. All of them have glass lenses. You might think about that before you go cutting that plastic lens on your band saw.

Yeah, when I worked in the firearms industry heat was probably the main engineering challenge I saw for flashlight builders, especially as everybody started using new zillion lumen LED's and packing them in little lights.

welder516 · May 11, 2020

zoostation said:
Great forum for questions such as these. Just a warning. The darn things can get addictive lol. Especially if you like building things. https://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

The internet is amazing that any topic can be found and solutions found .

zoostation · May 11, 2020

welder516 said:
The internet is amazing that any topic can be found and solutions found .

Those guys on there are flashlight geniuses. It's amazing what they can build. Plus no 7-day wait for your flashlight frame (yet).

DutchV · May 11, 2020

welder516 said:
I will keep that info. front and center , I thought all LED's were cold to the touch .

They're a lot more efficient but they do make some heat. If you were using a moderate wattage light, you'd never notice.

The big advantage to me is battery life.

John from MD · May 11, 2020

I was a member from when candlepowerforums first started. What we were doing in those days was basically buying a flashlight for a shell and then making the power supplies etc. One of the biggest drivers in the growth of the household flashlight makers was Surefire's ridiculous pricing for their products. If Surefire had more reasonable pricing way back then, a lot of led flashlight manufacturers would not have started.

I have been carrying a Fenix for many years now. There are better out there but, for the money, Fenix gives you a great product and great support. They also listen to their customers and their new product lines reflect this.

welder516 · May 15, 2020

Got the conversion kit from Malkoff and it is very bright and for the most part easy to install , the one big fault for me was the new reflector i bought with the kit i had to sand it down on my belt sander at the back portion.

It was longer then it needed to be and the flashlight bezel would not even engage one thread , i took a chance and ended up sanding the entire nub or tit down to get the bezel engaged in the right position . Nowhere in the instructions did it mention i may have to do that . It did work without ruining the reflector .

John from MD · May 15, 2020

It's pretty common to have to sand down the replacements even though the ads say that they fit this and they fit that.

When I was upgrading my Surfire bulb type lights, I had to sand down the reflectors to fit. I also decided to upgrade from CR123 batteries to 18650 batteries. Man what a job!. I didn't have a boring bit that would fit so I did it the old fashion way by wrapping sandpaper around a dowel. It took forever but now I have a modern light.

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