Updating a classic- Fulton MX-991/U

[Grant Lamontagne]

Recently I bought my father an OClip Pro from OLight and we both felt it was reminiscent of, and a modern day variant of the classic bent head military flashlight. 

We are both big fans of the OClip and naturally since I was going to be visiting, Dad dug his MX-991/U out for when I got here.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

I could pretend I am all smart and regurgitate facts from a Wikipedia page, but I think you'd all see through that so instead I'll just share the link with you:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_MX991/U_Flashlight

This particular light is in great shape, despite my father using it in some harsh environments during and after his military career, not to mention a significant amount of abuse from a teenaged Uncle Def using it on his crazy adventures.   

Imagine my surprise when I found the various lenses still inside the tail cap!

Unfortunately though, I couldn't see if it still worked because of two small problems:

1- it takes D cells, and who the heck still has D cells lying around?
2- the incandescent bulb was missing.

Fortunately the fine people at my local Amazon Distribution Center were happy to help and today and LED replacement bulb arrived, along with two USB-C rechargeable D cells.

I installed the bulb and now I am waiting for the D cells to charge and I am hoping that it works.  It's not very complex so I am imaging it should light right up- there's no corrosion or anything and there's no grittiness in the switch.  It all seems pretty straightforward.

On top of the respect I have for the history of this light, I am also super excited about bringing it into the 21st Century with USB rechargeable batteries and an LED bulb.

It still won't perform like the latest McGizmo, but I feel like this light has another few decades (at least) left in it!

Def

[airballrad]

This is such a blast from the past! The originals were really cool with their colored lenses. I had an old military surplus one in my days running around in the woods with the Scouts, and at one point I even had a little miniaturized version that ran on AAs!

EDIT: It looks like reproductions of both the AA and D versions can be had inexpensively online still.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I had a feeling you'd be along to see this one!   

Late last night I put the whole thing together and.....

Nothing.

I'll start messing with it today to see what the problem is.

Def

[JonesE]

Hi Grant, You flashlight sure does bring back many memories. I remember my Dad having a few of these while I was growing up. My Father was in the Army and my first experience that I remember was my Brother and I playing in the woods on base at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in the mid 70s. Later, my Brother and I used them on many Scout camping trips. I remember they seemed everywhere in those days.

I truly hope you are able to get yours working. Such a great flashlight.

JonesE

[Grant Lamontagne]

Still nothing out of this one.

I have removed the rechargeable batteries and replaced them with standard batteries and had no success.

I pulled the LED bulb and replaced it with the incandescent bulb that was in the tail cap, although there is no telling how old that bulb is, or whether it's intact.  I'm going to assume that it isn't.

My next step is to take it apart as much as I can and clean up as many of the contact points as I can.

I'd also like to try and find a way to test the LED bulb. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's good. 

Def

[AzteCypher]

I need to dig mine out.  I remember running into the same issue last time I tried to get it working.  I'd be interested in seeing how you sort yours out.

[gregozedobe]

Still nothing out of this one.

I have removed the rechargeable batteries and replaced them with standard batteries and had no success.

I pulled the LED bulb and replaced it with the incandescent bulb that was in the tail cap, although there is no telling how old that bulb is, or whether it's intact.  I'm going to assume that it isn't.

My next step is to take it apart as much as I can and clean up as many of the contact points as I can.

I'd also like to try and find a way to test the LED bulb. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's good. 

Def

Is it possible that the polarity is wrong ?  LEDs are fussy about that stuff, so maybe try the batteries the "wrong" way round ?  To test the batteries and the LED "globe" just use a short length of wire to test them all, if it illuminates then dig deeper into the connection inside the body of the flashlight.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Is it possible that the polarity is wrong ?  LEDs are fussy about that stuff, so maybe try the batteries the "wrong" way round ?  To test the batteries and the LED "globe" just use a short length of wire to test them all, if it illuminates then dig deeper into the connection inside the body of the flashlight.

My thoughts exactly.  This was supposed to be a direct replacement/ drop in bulb but it may be the problem.

I'm running out of time on my vacation so I'll just put it aside and mess with it more when I get home.

I've linked to this thread on the Book of Faces and there have been a bunch of people commenting that it is worthless when compared to modern lights.

[Sarcasm]Really?  A fifty year old (plus) design can't match up to anymore modern design?  Say it ain't so![/sarcasm]

I realize that this is not as bright or as efficient, as lightweight or as tough as a modern one like the OLight OClip Pro that inspired all of this, but let's see if the OLight (or Streamlight or Fenix or Nextorch etc) is still around and able to be made serviceable in 50+ years.

The internal, proprietary battery in many of these units is unlikely to make it five decades like this beast has, and sure as heck won't be as serviceable as this one is!

Def

[Juan el Boricua]

I realize that this is not as bright or as efficient, as lightweight or as tough as a modern one, but let's see if the OLight (or Streamlight or Fenix or Nextorch etc) is still around and able to be made serviceable in 50+ years.

The internal, proprietary battery in many of these units is unlikely to make it five decades like this beast has, and sure as heck won't be as serviceable as this one is!

Def

Def, this is the reason I keep mine around! And like you, I upgraded it; the drop in module costs more than the unit itself, but has proven itself reliably and used with two, in-series, AA batteries, can run it at its full 350 lumens without affecting the Fulton. A very nice, hurricane light to have around!
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[Grant Lamontagne]

That’s awesome!

Since getting home I have been a bit distracted what with laundry and mowing the lawn etc, so I haven’t tried anything else with mine yet but I’ll see about testing the LED this evening.

Def

[enki_ck]

I know it might be obvious but have you tried bending the spring out a bit to get more contact?

After all those years the spring might be a bit squished and not providing enough pressure.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have considered whether or not the spring is making contact but other than trying to fit the bulb in without the lens and everything I haven't tried bending it.  It seems like it should be close enough.

My priority right now is trying to find out if this bulb is functional or not.

Def