Re: Maglite donversion
If you do convert them,use only name brand batteries (Duracell,Rayovac,Energizer)and put a sticker with the date on the end cap and be sure to check the batteries for leaks once a year. The only downside of doing a LED conversion is that the batteries will start to leak before they go dead.
I’m afraid that both Duracell and Energizer have leaked on me over the years. Duracell, here in the U.K. at least, used to be made in Belgium, and while premium priced, were guaranteed leak proof, and in my experience they were. The current ones are imported from god knows where and they seem to leak readily. I’ve always found Energizers to be bad. Mag Lites used to be supplied with them, and quite often they would leak in the packing when the light was new!
The best I’ve found at the mo are Varta and Panasonic (Alkaline). I have a stack of devices that use AA or AAA cells and havnt had an issue using either of these makes over probably 10 - 15 years. Long shelf life on them too!
All of the Chinese made batteries, irrespective of the brand, seem to be very prone to leaking. I think it’s one of the things they just can’t get right!
Another option is rechargables. I use Panasonic Eneloop, which are great. They don’t lose their charge, even when stored for years, and are in a different league to the old Ni- Cad’s!
Incidentally, I have an LED conversion for the Mini MagLite AA made by a firm called Opalec. Great conversion, as you can still get the light apart to clean the switch contacts. You can’t do that on the LED AA Maglites, which seems to be the greatest cause of them not working, or flickering!
There is some argument for a conventional incandescent light. You can usually clean all the terminals and switch contacts, and there are no electronics to fail. If I really need a light, I usually have one of each!
