Maglite

[Two Speed]

I had the same thing happen two weeks ago. Surprised me too.

I wonder if batteries still carry the guarantee against leakage. More importantly, I wonder if anyone ever files a claim.

I did with duracell, called up the customer care phone number, had the old batteries spoke with a friendly lady that was actually somewhere in the U.S.A. (! yeah, surprise) She asked the expected questions, including some about the batteries such as looking for a specific mark or writing on the battery (guess things move around so they can pinpoint a batch), and the expiry date on the battery. I got a cheque for the cost of a new flashlight and a couple coupons for my next duracell purchase. I did comment to her when she asked if the batteries where left in the device... I said its a flashlight, I use it often enough that taking the batteries would be a royal PITA, and then brought up the fact that duracell advertising growin up as a kid, the duracell commercial with the EMTs (or was it firefighters?) always had duracell ready to go in their flashlights. =-)
I think she heard that last one a million times, you could feel the silent agreement.

 

[jrevans]

I will not say if I did or did not do this but old mag lights make a decent suppressor for items that go bang.

Saw somewhere where some enterprising young engineer built him an impressive zip gun out of a Maglite .

 

[niget2002]

I picked up a 3D Maglite at a good will. It was in a bag with a bunch of other stuff including a smaller 2AA Maglite.

I have a LED conversion and D cell rechargeable lithiums in my Amazon wish list. I'll get around to updating it eventually. For now, it's running the stock bulb and Energizer Max batteries.

I've mentioned this in other threads (I think), but part of the reason for keeping it around is for when my son grabs a flashlight. He doesn't always get it back to where it belongs. This thing is big and red and easy for me to see that it's missing. That way I can holler at him to go find it and put it back before 'I' need it.

He was keeping it in his room for a little while. Mostly because he thought it was 'cool'. That lasted a few weeks until I found it laying on the floor in the living room. Then I moved it on top of the refrigerator.

 

[jrevans]

Back in the day, you could return the light to the manufacturer, and they would repair or replace, no charge.

seems their warranty now excludes damage due to leaking batteries.

 

[DGersic]

Is there an adapter that would replace the D cell batteries with smaller batteries? Keep the size of the Maglite with more modern power sources.

A bit of PVC pipe and some copper pipe caps can be used to convert your Maglite to 18650 Lithium rechargeables. Convert to LED while you’re at it for a lot more lumens.

 

[DGersic]

Why carry around a big old Maglight when you can get so much more light in a small LED light like a Fenix? Ridiculous.

Pick up a 5D Maglite some time. Compare it to that little Fenix as a potential self defense weapon.

I delivered pizzas in college. My Maglite kept me from getting hurt.

 

[pbon]

Everyone has guns these days.

 

[Dave455]

I don't recall Duracell batteries as being advertised as "Leak Proof".

I do, certainly here in the U.K.

They were considerably more costly than the alternatives, but advertised longer life AND leak proof.

Back then (I’m talking late 80’s for sure, probably later) the batteries for the British market were made in Belgium, were a high quality product, and didn’t leak.

Then the quality nosedived, I had one leak, and haven’t risked one again since. I’ve seen the “Made in China” Duracells that turn up with Chinese made products and they are unbelievably bad - I’ve seen them leak before they’re out of the packing.

But I think most folks realise that dry cell batteries are one thing the Chinese never learnt how to make - hence they are so keen to sell you stuff with “rechargeable” cells - most of which are unique patterns that won’t be available when replacements are needed.

Two good options for dry cells are Varta (made in Germany) and Panasonic (made in Japan). I’ve seen some Panasonics made elsewhere that are not the same quality, but both Varta and Japanese Panasonics are fine.

Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable are also first class. They hold their charge and don’t leak. I use these for higher drain needs, and the Panasonic or Varta for everything else. No issues.

 

[Snapped-off]

Pick up a 5D Maglite some time. Compare it to that little Fenix as a potential self defense weapon.

I delivered pizzas in college. My Maglite kept me from getting hurt.

It's real hard to imagine where I could possibly be with a 2 foot long maglite, but no firearm.

 

[Monza Harry]

It's real hard to imagine where I could possibly be with a 2 foot long maglite, but no firearm.

I'll start with Canada. Yes I am Canadian. I don't think gun for self defense, just not an option here and very lethal. A good beating is a good attitude adjuster, with fewer consequences.
However, I am surprised at the love for Maglite, I had much better luck with Brinkman [now defunct? I couldn't find them last 3 peeks on the net]. Now I am referring to primarily the 2xAAA mostly, I used to use these for work a lot, the right size for checking 3/8" (NPT) waterlines. Fit into the treaded section stayed there while you walked around the mould to check for proper connections. Harry

 

[exmaxima1]

I think my last mag lite is in the shop. If I remember, I put some dielectric grease on the threads in case it leaked in the threads.

The deal breaker is that the cells leak and SWELL which locks them into the flashlight housing. Good luck getting them out!

 

[DGersic]

It's real hard to imagine where I could possibly be with a 2 foot long maglite, but no firearm.

Standing on a dark porch, at night, $30 large stuffed pizza in one hand. I’d have felt bad about using a firearm, if I would have had it out and ready, when the large aggressive dog shot out the door at me, fangs barred. I didn’t feel bad about thumping it on the head, though I didn’t get a tip on that delivery.

 

[reader2580]

I don't recall Duracell batteries as being advertised as "Leak Proof".

Leak proof, or not, they shouldn't corrode being out in open air and never used.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I never use Rayovac or Duracell batteries. They are notorious for leaking. At work, we used to get Procell (Duracell batteries). They leaked like crazy. We finally switched to Energizers, which don't leak as much.

At home, I use Panasonic Carbon-Zinc batteries in remotes. They are cheap, last a long time in low-drain devices, and generally don't leak. In flashlights, I used AA NiMH rechargeables (Eneloops) with adapters, or Tenergy rechargeables.

For CR123, I use Surefire batteries, since they are cheaper, or rechargeable CR123 batteries.

I have several Maglites, in 2D, 3D, 4D, and 6D sizes, as well as several AA and AAA Minimags. Most are LED, or converted to LED. I also have an XL200, which is one of my favorite lights, with multiple functions, and an Mag-Tac, which has a nice grenade-style grip.

 

[metalmagpie]

I worked night security for the residence halls in college. It was a really good gig, especially in the female freshman dorms when classes were in. I got promoted to dispatcher and eventually coordinator of the shift and even worked one summer when the residence halls were unoccupied.
We had a radio we could use to call the campus police and the coordinator had a cell phone. This was mid to late 90s, so cell phones were expensive and not common. We were not allowed to carry a weapon - no knives, box cutters, billy clubs, or anything else, but we could carry a flashlight.
My flashlight of choice was a 4-D cell Maglite. I think I'd rather get whacked over the head with a billy club than that. I still have it, but rarely use it.

A Seattle cop wound a 4-D cell Maglite around my head back in the '60s. Rang my bell good.

 

[4xdog]

A Seattle cop wound a 4-D cell Maglite around my head back in the '60s. Rang my bell good.

Probably a Kel-Lite -- the original. Maglite started in 1979.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The best improvement for an old ML is a new LED. Study the issue because one size does not fit all. Incredible increase in light.

X2. I retrofitted all my old Maglights, even though I now have a Fenix for EDC use.

 

[BrandonV]

I had the same thing happen two weeks ago. Surprised me too.

I wonder if batteries still carry the guarantee against leakage. More importantly, I wonder if anyone ever files a claim.

I file claims every time I stumble upon a leaking Duracell.

They've paid out.

 

[boom10ful]

I have cleaned several and probably have three more in the garage that need to be. Batteries are just junk anymore. I've had four Energizer Max leak in the last few weeks. One of them was in an electronic door lock. What a pain to deal with. My go to flashlights now are lithium ones.

Lithium rechargeable AA and AAA batteries are where it's at for all my devices. Pricey but I haaaaate dealing with leaking batteries

 

[johnre]

This photo was taken in January 2023 -- when in theory these Costco alkaline AAs [with date code Mar. 2028] had over five years of shelf life left in them.

Jeeze. I had a bunch of Kirkland go bad as well.

Similar experience with a batch of Costco / Kirkland AA batteries, date code was out in late 2027 IIRC. They ruined one light, lesson learned - I tossed the rest of the batch, even those that looked OK. I suppose Costco would have replaced the bad cells, though - but there was no warranty for damage to equipment with them.

But I have noted that Costco appears to be changing over suppliers for their batteries; the labels now look different on some of their line.

 

[driftpin]

I have a 2-D Mag-Lite which had a brand-name battery leak. It was the one at the cap-end of the barrel. I used a slide hammer and a #9 self-tapper screw in it to remove the swollen, corroded battery, and the second one next to the switch got the same method, but wasn't swollen like the other one. Drill a hole, screw in the screw, and use the slide hammer.

The light got the LED bulb. Now I don't keep batteries in it, I install them if I need the light. I also found online that a metric allen screw wrench can remove the Mag-Lite switch.

I might try one of the pieces of info I saw on here about using the 18650 batteries w/some adapter for my 2-D cell Mag-Lite.

 

[rbgearz]

I worked night security for the residence halls in college. It was a really good gig, especially in the female freshman dorms when classes were in. I got promoted to dispatcher and eventually coordinator of the shift and even worked one summer when the residence halls were unoccupied.
We had a radio we could use to call the campus police and the coordinator had a cell phone. This was mid to late 90s, so cell phones were expensive and not common. We were not allowed to carry a weapon - no knives, box cutters, billy clubs, or anything else, but we could carry a flashlight.
My flashlight of choice was a 4-D cell Maglite. I think I'd rather get whacked over the head with a billy club than that. I still have it, but rarely use it.

You, my friend, have never been hit in the head (repeatedly) with a billy club.

 

[rbgearz]

A Seattle cop wound a 4-D cell Maglite around my head back in the '60s. Rang my bell good.

Tell us more.

 

[Norcal]

I do, certainly here in the U.K.

They were considerably more costly than the alternatives, but advertised longer life AND leak proof.

Back then (I’m talking late 80’s for sure, probably later) the batteries for the British market were made in Belgium, were a high quality product, and didn’t leak.

Then the quality nosedived, I had one leak, and haven’t risked one again since. I’ve seen the “Made in China” Duracells that turn up with Chinese made products and they are unbelievably bad - I’ve seen them leak before they’re out of the packing.

But I think most folks realise that dry cell batteries are one thing the Chinese never learnt how to make - hence they are so keen to sell you stuff with “rechargeable” cells - most of which are unique patterns that won’t be available when replacements are needed.

Two good options for dry cells are Varta (made in Germany) and Panasonic (made in Japan). I’ve seen some Panasonics made elsewhere that are not the same quality, but both Varta and Japanese Panasonics are fine.

Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable are also first class. They hold their charge and don’t leak. I use these for higher drain needs, and the Panasonic or Varta for everything else. No issues.

Costco used to sell Panasonic batteries, but they also used to sell S-K socket sets too, it was before they opened the local warehouse in 1991, which has since been razed & replaced, they have been selling Duracell for a long time, the Kirkland Signature AA batteries are made by Duracell.

Does anyone the best way to treat the contacts in a battery compartment after the leaky batteries are removed?

 

[DGersic]

Does anyone the best way to treat the contacts in a battery compartment after the leaky batteries are removed?

Scrape, wire brush, or similar to remove as much of the goo as possible. Neutralize the remains with vinegar. Rinse with distilled water. Dry with isopropyl alcohol.

 

[the shifty jesus]

Leave an alkaline battery by itself long enough, and it will always get bored and **** itself for something to do.

I still have an old 3D Maglite that I keep around for prosperity.
It’s been converted to LED and NiMH batteries. I like it, but it still ***** in comparison to a $30 LED off Amazon

 

[nadogail]

I worked night security for the residence halls in college. It was a really good gig, especially in the female freshman dorms when classes were in. I got promoted to dispatcher and eventually coordinator of the shift and even worked one summer when the residence halls were unoccupied.
We had a radio we could use to call the campus police and the coordinator had a cell phone. This was mid to late 90s, so cell phones were expensive and not common. We were not allowed to carry a weapon - no knives, box cutters, billy clubs, or anything else, but we could carry a flashlight.
My flashlight of choice was a 4-D cell Maglite. I think I'd rather get whacked over the head with a billy club than that. I still have it, but rarely use it.

The 6 cell Maglite was a more substantial whacker.

 

[mervyn]

Used Mini Maglites a bunch in the 80's and 90's. We called em Skitz lights lol. got rid of all of em about 10 years ago.
Streamlight is what I have now.