Maglite

[bluedog225]

I saw an old, sad, double D maglite at the junk store. The batteries were corroded in place.

Not being able to help myself, I brought it home and spend the morning getting the old batteries out. It was a chore.

Got the sh!t scrubbed out using a long lag bolt. Put it back together and she’s back in business.

I carry another in the Jeep. It actually sees some use and I pull it out from the side of the seat occasionally to test it.

Tested it today and it works great. Thought I’d open it up and check on the state of the batteries. Oops. Tailcap was corroded shut. Even thought the light still shines bright.

Dang it. It never occurred to me I could have leaky batteries with a working light.

One more project.

 

[unslow1]

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.

 

[7th Kahuna]

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.

 

[Zeke]

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.

 

[Maddog3355]

What Zeke said x10.

 

[nadogail]

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 once filed a claim about the battery leakage and Rayovac sent me a replacement flashlight.

 

[bluedog225]

Yeah. I’ve got a couple of Malkoff drop-ins. It’s like the finger of god. Cree LED and big brass plug that sits flush with the tube. Makes a big difference in brightness and it’s a great heat sink for long run time.

Got the batteries out without too much trouble. Duracells. One bad.

 

[Whitworth]

Can't count how many Maglites I've had ruined by swollen batteries.
I don't think I have any left, and I used to buy them all the time.

 

[P0234]

Had the same thing happen so many times. Just not worth the time. Now I stick to lights that work with the 18650 cells or Ryobi 18v.

 

[4xdog]

Pitch all your Duracells. Irrespective of how much life they may have in them.

And I've pitched all my Kirkland Signatures, too, after a multi-pack had well over half become leakers in storage. Perhaps Costco changed private label suppliers to Duracell?

I mostly use NiMH rechargeables in my flashlights now, either something like an 18650 factory fill or Eneloop AAs.

This photo was taken in January 2023 -- when in theory these Costco alkaline AAs had over five years of shelf life left in them.


And all of these were taken when the batteries were still within their rated life. I don't think they should leak no matter what. But shame on me for being so slow to learn the lesson all these batteries were clearly trying to teach me.







And although I have some special enmity for Duracell, they're truly not alone in that leaking-alkaline game.

 

[bluedog225]

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

I’m a big fan of the 18650 but I like having a handy, quick deploy, legal self defense stick. it’s always right were it belongs while the little lights are scattered all over the place.

I’m just going to replace the Ds every year. Sitting in the 140 eff jeep probably doesn’t help.

 

[landrover bodger]

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 contacted duracell customer services about the leaking batteries destroying a 4d maglite. they paid for a new lite this was a few years back. so if duracells leak its worth an email to check.

 

[AJHD]

I used work private security when I was in tech school many years ago and I used to buy MagLites. But the cops didn't like them and the batteries constantly leaked. After a half dozen I said "**** this" and went another route.

I know it's not exclusive to MagLite, but I've not had the trouble with other flashlights I did with MagLites and I stopped buying or using them well over a decade ago. I prefer SureFire, Fenix and Streamlight.

Side note: batteries are stupid ******* expensive, especially lithium. I don't even want to buy them. It's like $15 for 4 batteries.

 

[Kuma601]

Pitch all your Duracells. Irrespective of how much life they may have in them.

And I've pitched all my Kirkland Signatures, too, after a multi-pack had well over half become leakers in storage. Perhaps Costco changed private label suppliers to Duracell?

I mostly use NiMH rechargeables in my flashlights now, either something like an 18650 factory fill or Eneloop AAs.

This photo was taken in January 2023 -- when in theory these Costco alkaline AAs had over five years of shelf life left in them.


And all of these were taken when the batteries were still within their rated life. I don't think they should leak no matter what. But shame on me for being so slow to learn the lesson all these batteries were clearly trying to teach me.

...

That is a prime example of the evilness of alkaline batteries AA or AAA. I hate to think of all the devices that alkaline cells have killed before going to NiMH or Lithium. 123 or CR2 devices.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Maglites are a pita. Have a bunch of them kicking around I cant bring myself to ditch.

 

[JeepYJ]

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.

 

[bluedog225]

Some here for 21700 cells. But limited.

I bet there are other but have not looked.

The problem with the products at this link is you lose the heft of the Ds.

Maglite LED Drop-ins, Upgrades, Conversions, and Accessories

High Power Maglite LED Upgrades, Conversions, and Accessories to Fit Incandescent (NON LED) Maglite Brand Flashlights.

malkoffdevices.com

edit-here is a hack for 18650. Maybe something could be made with a little iron pipe and epoxy as spacers instead of cardboard.

How to Do Maglite 18650 Battery Conversion

How to Do Maglite 18650 Battery Conversion: The Maglite have body accepts two D-Cell batteries which are somewhat shorter long than an 18650 cell. With a specific end goal to renew this practice it is important to oblige the additional length from utilizing two 18650 batteries. The 18650 cell…

www.instructables.com

 

[Davefr]

I can understand why you like your old Maglite. They were pretty nice flashlights at the time. If you really want it to be a workhorse then convert it to LED with one of the conversion kits and use these spacers to use AA lithium batteries. Energizer ultimate lithiums are leakproof but expensive or go with rechargeables. The lower capacity of the AA vs D will probably still give you good runtime by switching to LED.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9PUWM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[slowtwitch73]

Just buy a new flashlite.

I screwed around with converting one and it just cost time and money for a still inferior product that then crapped the bed.

 

[vavet]

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.

 

[M.Wong]

Nothing like the early 1990s full D-size Mag Charger... I have a collection of my old gear proudly displayed in my garage. Back then, you were either a Mag Charger guy, or a Streamlight SL20 guy. Now I have more modern Pelican and Surefire lights, but the Mag Charger was a classic.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

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.

I bought an LED conversion kit online somewhere and the improvement is radical. Maybe it isn't as bright as a new max LED but it's tremendous. Very happy with my old 3 D cell Maglite now.

I keep looking for them at garage sales, etc so I can convert one or two more!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just buy a new flashlite.

I screwed around with converting one and it just cost time and money for a still inferior product that then crapped the bed.

Really? Mine has worked GREAT now for several years.

 

[nadogail]

MagLights were also used as bludgeons by cops who were not allowed to carry batons.

One time in Portland the Mayor directed the Police not to carry batons at a music festival. So every cop carried a large MagLight. The entire inventory of MagLights was purchased by Police Officers.

 

[crguy]

I bought an LED conversion kit online somewhere and the improvement is radical. Maybe it isn't as bright as a new max LED but it's tremendous. Very happy with my old 3 D cell Maglite now.

I keep looking for them at garage sales, etc so I can convert one or two more!

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

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

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

1. I already own it.

2. Doesnt cost $80-$100 like a Fenix and is big enough I won't likely forget it and lose it.

3. My 3 D cell is potentially useful as self defense. Not so much against a person - they might use it ON me! But on a walk or camping I can swing it at an attacking animal enough to run away....I hope.

PS: It isn't "inferior" at all.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Somewhere I have one of those large 'D' cell flashlights. I can't recall if it was 3 or 4 cells. Just remember it was heavy and lasted a long time. When I was about 20, I was out with a new girl from work and her sister. We were headed to the beach after dark when someone egg'd the car. She grabbed my flashlight like a club and flew out of the car before we came to a stop. I had forgotten about that until you folks mentioned using it for self defense. Fun memories. She was older than I was and more experienced with the world. Before I really got a chance to know her, she was accepted to the local Sheriff's Academy. I guess I should have seen it coming.

 

[bluedog225]

The small flashlights might make a good kubaton but the 3D have there uses in a emergency. I’ll check out the lithium conversion. I’ve not had any problems with lithium AA yet and the shelf life is impressive.

 

[MoonRise]

D cell lithium-ion rechargables.

You can get ones that need to go into a charger, or ones that have a mini charger built right in (just plug into a USB of the appropriate flavor to recharge). They are internally 3.7-4.2 volts, but have a mini voltage regulator built right in and output a steady 1.5V. You do have to watch the max current draw though, they usually seem to have a short-circuit protection built into the voltage regulator board as well. Lighter than an alkaline D cell too, if less total Ah output power. But rechargeable and less leak prone than current alkaline cells.

The ones I got recently can power an incan Mag Xenon bulb ok, or a drop-in replacement LED bulb to go into the Maglite. Rated 10,000 mAh which even counting for the inflated counting that chinesium products seem to have is still much more power than a AA lithium primary or NiMH rechargeable (which will self-discharge) or even an Eneloop AA rechargeable.

With the drop-in replacement LED bulb and some new batteries, that old 4D Maglite is now back in service. I got a ~350 lumen LED bulb that works in a 2-6 D cell Maglite for ~$20 with a new lens too. Less cells and it draws more amps, more cells and it draws less amps to make the ~3W power input to the LED (yes, I measured the voltage and current draw in use. btw, in use a set of brand new alkaline D cells had an operating voltage down around 1.2V in the Maglite while the rechargeable and voltage regulated li-ion D cells maintained a steady 1.5V while in use.). Brightest, smallest, or lightest light I have? Nope, but now it is usable again (if still big and heavy). But sometimes a little big and a little heavy is OK.

Or you can go all flashaholic and CPF and make some spacers for some li-ion cells (18650 or 26650) and some higher-powered LED options and fit that into a Maglite body. Some sort of voltage regulator board too. Maybe a new reflector (light stipple, medium stipple, heavy stipple?). New lens to replace that old scratched and yellowed plastic lens. Make a custom body tube and not have to deal with spacers anymore. Etc, etc, etc.

 

[bb29510]

i converted my maglite to led, ten minute later it rolled off the table and broke the led

 

[charbar]

Maglite! That brings back some memories! In my teens and early 20's I always had one rolling around on the floor of my beater pickup for starting bonfires/gathering wood at parties, bruising a few ribs when parties got a little out of hand, racoon hunting, being nosey, etc. Good times

They would double the weight of a Ruger 10/22 when you duct taped it to the bottom of the barrel, but you could also whop a **** with it if needed!

 

[CraigStu]

We played w/ rechargeables, then Li-ion etc. One problem w/ them is they are at 98% and one minute later they are dead. Not fun when walking the dog in the dark and couple 100 yards from the house. AT this point I love LED bulbs but still prefer old style batteries. At least the light slowly gets dimmer so we have a good long warning - 3,4,5 days- before it goes out

 

[NUTTSGT]

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.

 

[txvwnut]

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.

 

[73project]

Old school Maglite 3-D cell compared to my Streamlight Strion....is no comparison! The Streamlight puts out 4x the light, is rechargeable, and can fit in your pants pocket. I can't imagine even using the old Maglight anymore. The Streamlight is about the same length as the old AA Minimag, but comes in at about 1" in diameter. I have two of them and they are worth every penny I paid for them!

 

[Squankum]

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.

Amen. Reading the directions for once in my life, I learned that Mag-Lite suggested a li'l Vaseline petroleum jelly on those threads, so I did that, and unscrewing the cap just became more pleasant than dry threads. But tonight I realize it's also a good anti-corrosion method.

 

[Alchase]

I replaced all my Mag Lights (non-LED, 3 D size battery) with Coast LED Lights. Half the size and weight twice the output.

 

[reader2580]

I have a Duracell battery that has corrosion on the end cap, and it had never been used! Not sure on the age of the battery.

 

[nadogail]

I have a Duracell battery that has corrosion on the end cap, and it had never been used! Not sure on the age of the battery.

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

 

[4xdog]

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

They skated close to the line on that one.

Lawsuit over Duracell batteries guarantee is thrown out

A federal judge threw out a lawsuit accusing Procter & Gamble Co <PG.N> of misleading consumers by guaranteeing that Duracell batteries would not fail for 10 years, when in fact the batteries might leak when used or stored normally.

www.reuters.com