Drop in LED conversion for old flashlight?

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** October 11, 2012, 05:33:36 PM

While poking around in my father's garage the other day I found a couple of old military issue 2xD cell with the 90 degree head and I was thinking of bringing one home with me. Does anyone know of a drop in LED conversion for it?

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

nuphoria · **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2012, 07:14:37 PM

Depending on the bulb fitting, you might be able to use one meant for the D-cell maglite.

Terralux is the one that comes to mind first.

jzmtl · **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2012, 09:15:44 AM

Sears had a Dorcy brand bulb replacement that's decent, not bright but better than the incan bulb, less than $5 too. Not sure if they still sell it though.

gunga · **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2012, 11:29:47 AM

You want good or cheap? I can spare 1, depends on how much you want to spend?

Grail Knight · **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2012, 12:15:08 PM

Just go to Amazon.com and take a look at their offerings.
I went with the TerraLUX bulbs for my 2 older 2 D cell Maglights and could not be happier.

http://www.amazon.com/TerraLUX-TLE-6EXB-MiniStar5-Conversion-MagLites/dp/B001I9TI4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350036823&sr=8-1&keywords=2+D+LED+Bulb

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2012, 12:15:30 AM

Quote from: gunga on October 12, 2012, 11:29:47 AM

You want good or cheap? I can spare 1, depends on how much you want to spend?

Both if possible, good if not. I'd hate to spend "new light" money on a bulb, but I'd be willing to spend up to about $20.

I don't know what kind of bulb it takes or what to look for when buying one.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2012, 11:01:00 PM

I have the light home and put a couple of D cells into it and it works beatifully! I'd still like to convert it to LED figuring it'll be brighter and the batteries will last longer.

This is not my photo, but this is exactly the same one I have:

The bulb comes out easily enough, are there any markings I should look at to determine whether I'm finding the right conversion?

Def

Tabasco · **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2012, 11:45:43 PM

I know that gubmit issue well, these are worthwhile and affordable additions:

http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-1643-Lumen-Volt-Replacement/dp/B003MP8MGY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2012, 03:39:12 AM

Thanks for the link. I'll give it a shot. The light is actually not too bad with the incandescent bulb, but given the rarity of D cells these days I figure its best to use efficient LED's.

Def

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2012, 03:12:06 AM

While I realize these may not really be all that special to some, I decided to take a few shots and show it off a bit. I love these old flashlights, not just because they are old military issue, but because this particular one was issued to and carried by my father, and while we may have moved around a fair bit, these lights were always handy no matter where we lived.

Since I had my light tent out to shoot the Flair and Nitecore Defender today I decided to take a few pics of this one as well.

I'm sure everyone has had some kind of experience with these at some point or another, and if not, well this is a classic and you are missing out. Go find yourself an Army Navy Surplus store and drop $2 on one of these. They may be old tech but they are bomb proof!

This one still has all the old interchangeable lenses too, including a few extra reds. I'm surprised to see them still in there as we used to always pull them out and play with them when we were kids.

Def

stealth007s · **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2012, 04:28:49 AM

Those lights were always reliable when I was in the Army. I switched to Mag Lights though soon after my first years though but they were issued in our vehicle equipment for ground guiding and such. They have blue, green and yellow filters also that I know of. They also made a cone for that light as well. Never heard of a led conversion for this one though.

dks · **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2012, 08:09:07 AM

I think everybody who was in the army/police etc. during the past Century was at some point issued one of these (from a variety of makers). I think they were also supposed to be water resistant. I have, I think, 2-3 of them that were issued to me at various stages but never use them as they are heavy and produce little light compared to modern torches.
They are tough.

The colour filters werer also included.

gunga · **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2012, 08:17:57 AM

I sold my drop in. You could just get a 2 cell mj led drop in from the sandwich shoppe. Not super bright, long running, around $11 I think.

Gareth · **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2012, 11:00:07 AM

I have similar memories of playing with my dad's old fire brigade issue one.

They came in bright yellow rather than green and was very cool to a small kid.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2012, 01:48:14 PM

Was that the one with the black ends? I have seen those but I don't think we ever had one.

I wouldn't mind getting a yellow one too.... you know... to match my Jeep.... yeah.... that's it....

Def

Gareth · **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2012, 01:56:55 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on November 10, 2012, 01:48:14 PM

Was that the one with the black ends? I have seen those but I don't think we ever had one.

I wouldn't mind getting a yellow one too.... you know... to match my Jeep.... yeah.... that's it....

Def

Not that I remember, but it was a long time ago.

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.