Updating a Vintage WWII Angle flashlight

This writeup was by request, and was a simple one to accommodate.

I know they make much better and far more powerful LED flashlights. There are lots of threads and even Forums for those, including custom builds. This is not intended to compete with those uses or users, so I'd appreciate not hearing about what a waste of time this is and I should do something “better”...

I kind of like the older vintage flashlights, and the military angle lights in particular, but they have three strikes against them.

1. The bulbs are very weak light producers,
2. and the batteries often leak if you leave them sit for long periods between use.
3. The batteries don't last long...

Simple problems and simple solutions available.

First let's look at the victim:

This one is a near NOS WWII era Angle Flashlight. Two year's ago I did this exact thing to a Vietnam war era angle light, and loved the results!




This is about all it will do:




Parts needed:

TWO 3 AA to D cell battery adapters: Be sure to get the version that is in Parallel! (all the batteries go in the same directions so the three are still a "1.5V cell" (they also sell "(in) series" adapters; those daisy chain the connections and it’s a 4.5V cell...)

SIX AA Lithium cells (Disposable. They make rechargeable Lithium also...)

ONE Dorcy 30 Lumen replacement bulb. (There is a 40 Lumen bulb also available. THAT is the one you want for a THREE cell (4.5V) or 4 cell (6V) light...)




Step one: Replace the batteries. The Lithium batteries gives you LONG shelf life batteries and compared to ordinary Alkaline batteries, near zero leakage issues. (I've personally NEVER seen a Lithium battery leak, and I have some in use > 20 years now...) I can put these in a light leave it in a glove box for many years, and be confident the thing will work when needed...

They also have a very flat voltage drain. They stay at higher voltage threshold longer, then nose dive... For my money, that's a better value as I often have to replace alkaline batteries with power still in them, just not very usable power...




Batteries replaced, the bulb needs upgrading:

Unscrew the light housing (for this type its the second knurled ring) and the reflector assembly drops out, see that plastic "nut" on the back? Unscrew that.




Old incandescent on the right, new LED on the left.




Reassemble using the LED bulb. Keep the old one if still working for the unlikely event the LED bulb dies... (I haven't had one die yet... I've been carrying the SAME single LED single AA light in my pocket for near 20 years. It has just keeps going and going... it sees daily use, and has had innumerable batteries replaced... Never a problem with the LED)




Continued;

And on completion you can’t see the difference! It looks like the same Flashlight it always was.



Until you turn it on… and you get THIS:




Instead of THIS!



You also get a LOT longer battery life. If I did the math right, 3-4 DAYS of light (vs. 3-4 HOURS…)

That’s it! pretty simple, but much better service with MORE light, USEFUL battery life and its READY when needed (I can’t tell you how many Mag lights I’ve had to scrap due to leaking alkaline batteries…) Best of all for a collectible light? Its easily reversible!

This of course could be done to most any vintage flashlight; just remember that if a 3 or 4 cell, use the appropriate bulb, and if a C cell, they make 4 AAA to C cell adapters.

Cool write-up.
I like converting older flashlights to more modern components to get more use of of 'em.

Such a cool idea. I’m going to try this just for fun.


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Outlawmws thank you for sharing and well articulated..

I did a similar upgrade to my Maglight and it works very well.

Cool post.

I'm a flashlight junkie. I've got a couple of the angled lights sitting around. Dad worked at Ma Bell and they used them too. The lights are not being used because of their low output.

Conversions are in the future.

Good tutorial, Outlaw. It also reminds me that I've been meaning to PM you about an idea I have.

Thanks for the tutorial. I'll probably update my plastic flashlight but the one I really worry about with alkaline batteries is my 1942 flashlight that stays in the Jeep's glove compartment. It will definitely get lithium batteries shortly!
-Don

Very cool! Where do you get the battery adapters?

Very Cool!!

larry4406 said:

Very cool! Where do you get the battery adapters?

Click to expand...

I've been getting them off Eprey Same for the bulbs, if you shop you can get like 2-3 at a time lee per than buying them single. Probably amazon if you want just one bulb. prices vary...

Thanks for the thread Outlaw. I've got a maglite that's a bit too long to suit me. I'll have to keep an eye open on ebay or CL for one of those WWII flashlights and see about a retrofit.

Larry, far more common, (and a lot more reasonable) are the Vietnam Era "Fultons"

You can also get modern angle head knockoffs, and in both 2XC and 2XAA sizes. Some with Krypton, some with LED bulbs. I'm semi tempted to get a couple of the AA size... My only gripe is MIC...

Great thread!!! I have owned one for years but don't use in any more because a match is brighter. Off to find the parts to do a conversion on this otherwise nice flashlight.

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Thanks for the upgrade info. Now I have to find mine and fix it up.

Nice write up Outlaw!

Now I need to know how to figure out what is a WW II or Vietnam flashlight LOL.

Thanks and you are welcome guys!

BB that was covered somewhat a few weeks ago in the GS thread when I picked up the "victim" of this thread. Lugz and I discussed it (mostly Lugz)

This one is a WWII/1944 TL-122-D, and happens to be made by Bright Star. The one I got yesterday and it's twin I converted two years ago are Fulton made, and model MX-99I/U are Vietnam era (not sure if they go back to the Korean war or not. Also not sure if its a I or a 1 in the 99I... )

Down and dirty basics for identifying WWII flashlights:

- Marked TL-122-A, TL-122-B, TL-122-C, TL-122-D
- Known mfgrs include USALITE, MICRO-LITE, GITS, BRIGHT STAR, and NIAGARA
- Only the TL-122-A is brass (pre-war/early war) or steel painted OD
- The TL-122-B (introduced late '43) through -D (introduced late '44) are all OD plastic with minor differences
- The TL-122-D is the only one with colored lenses and an extra bulb in the screw off base

MX- flashlights are all Vietnam and later.

I had one of the angle flashlights in my hand Friday, wish I had known this info then LOL.

thanks for the writeup

Thanks for the great Thread. I've been wanting to convert an old 3-cell MagLite to LED for awhile.

I think they make a special bayonet type LED with a "lens" on it for Mag lights so the beam will still focus?

Thanks for the write up. I got one for my son a few weeks ago.

I’m going to do this conversion as well.


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Ordered a NOS Fulton off eBay for $10 shipped a little bit ago, will give it the conversion try when she comes in.

Awesome. I've got a Justrite 6V lantern I'd like to update also.

Just got my LED upgrade for my MagLite. Works great.

So supplies came in: D cell adapters yesterday and more 30 lumen bulbs today. So I converted the Fulton from the weekend:

Differences between the WWII era and Vietnam war ere lights are subtle,






The switches are "upside down" to each other the Fulton has a lanyard loop on the bottom, and a place to store a spare bulb, and slight length differences.



the Fulton also has a lens setup to disperse the light I wondered what it would do and:




it has a definitely different light pattern. more even but not as bright in the center, this is maybe 3 feet or so. I also tried it at about 12-15 feet and they both have pluses and minuses. The clear lens does give a brighter spot light in the center; the Fulton is very even. It would depend on what I was doing to decide which has an advantage...

As a kid I had one of those and stored in the bottom piece was on orange/yellow clear disc you could insert at the light end to change the beam color. Figured it was some sort of code signal not sure.