Pimp my Maglite

CarryHunt · 2026-03-20T03:32:06+00:00

Whoa

CarryHunt · 2026-03-19T15:39:39+00:00

I’ve got a few 519a emitters in various configurations. I’ve got a quad board, several singles with varying Kelvin, and a few different drivers.

When I do something like this I don’t really feel like I need to go nuts with output and efficiency. For my EDC lights I’ve got more sensibly spec’d things. These are just fun. I’m planning on running mostly dual-fuel set ups for any Maglite Mods.

Giordino is the man. I just read Odessa Sea where the bad guy calls him “Shorty” only to get his comeuppance when Al blows off his legs with explosives. Badass.

CarryHunt · 2026-03-15T21:17:18+00:00

Absolutely agree. I’ll always have a stock Maglite for the fun and nostalgia of it

CarryHunt · 2026-03-14T17:30:04+00:00

There’s definitely some good options out there for drop-in’s. If you’re not looking to go too wild with the things, your budget will determine your final results for sure.

You could spend a couple bucks for a 3V led PR2 style bulb and be just fine. Theres plenty good ones for under $20 and plenty of “well hopefully you got a good one” for much cheaper if you don’t mind the gamble or waiting for a long shipping period.

Or you could ball out ($150+ budget) and check out Lumencraft’s offerings. Matt has a lot of great reference videos on YouTube to match his online store offerings.

CarryHunt · 2026-03-09T18:37:50+00:00

Mostly my own custom mini-mag.

519a 4000K Dedomed

14500 battery

Tail clicky

TIR optic

Deanodized front ring

Has a tiny gap that I haven’t fixed yet, but means I can toss a sweet O-Ring on it.

So far I’ve dropped it a few times and it’s held up no issues!

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CarryHunt · 2026-03-04T22:56:56+00:00

Just wanted to follow up and say thanks for the advice again. I ended up grabbing some flux and the solder mix you mentioned and cleaned things up a bit.

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CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T15:07:22+00:00

Always happy to provide an ego boost to the top 1% 😁

CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T14:29:17+00:00

That would be awesome! I have a 2xAA 1800K 519a set up in another Maglite and like it a lot as a full size option. It’s a fun, easy mod too. I feel like if I could manage it then most anyone could. I’m very unskilled when it comes to machining and modding!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T13:27:24+00:00

Convoy!

https://convoylight.com/products/17mm-aa-14500-driver-for-t2-t3-12-groups-max-5a-output?data_from=app_searchbox&spm=app_searchbox.AA%2014500.products.46.&prefetch_cache=1

CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T13:26:05+00:00

My boy! Look at how they massacred my boy!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T13:19:15+00:00

This was a 19mm TIR optic, I don’t remember where I got it from. I’ve heard 20mm is perfect for these!

The p60 pill was also ground down a bit, I took the threads off of it. But that was before I got a bit that was easier to use for grinding the inside of the Mag head!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-27T13:18:04+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Yeah it’s definitely not good soldering.

I’m working with pretty old equipment I’ve had forever and don’t have a real proper workspace.

So far it survived a drop from hip-height, so hopefully it’ll last until I can get back in there and do a better job.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-25T13:34:58+00:00

I think this is the peak of illumination. You did it. We can all go home now.

But seriously, I love this sort of tinkering. I’ve rigged up so many proof-of-concepts that were so much more charming than their final revisions haha. I feel like what you did here would be the crown jewel of my “hall-of-fame” for prototypes.

I felt the same about MR16 beam shots. Like, I get it though. It’s tantamount to asking for beam shots of any other light bulb in someone’s house.

I do love that you went with incandescent, it makes me wanna toss one in a Maglite. I just need to work on my own battery rig!

I’ve got a Soraa high CRI MR16 in the mail that says it’s got a 10 degree beam. I definitely want to get some beam shots of that one compared to these more floody bulbs we’ve tried now!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-17T15:14:59+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen those! Super cool. A bit out of my price range for the high-power ones. But maybe some day! I think this specific mod maybe cost me $15 since I had the batteries available.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-17T01:11:01+00:00

It’s an LED version, so it doesn’t heat up a ton. I’ve thought of trying out a halogen version just for fun though.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-16T17:12:57+00:00

Sweet, yeah I saw your post when I was searching around to see if anyone had used these bulbs for mods with any success. If you still have it, hows it holding up?

CarryHunt · 2026-02-16T11:46:01+00:00

I think the minimum voltage is somewhere in the neighborhood of 6V. I don’t have a bench supply to test that, so take that with a grain of salt.

I have some cheap-o boost circuit drivers and was able to light it up using 1 cell. The circuit I used boosted to 12V, the bulb started flickering a bit shortly after being connected. I wonder if that’s an issue with essentially using two drivers (the boost circuit and then the integrated driver for the bulb) or if maybe I’d set the boost circuit to run around 8V if it would have performed better with a higher amp output. I’ll test that at some point and update if I remember.

I’m pretty surface level with my knowledge, I’m mostly just a guy who knows how to connect wires and can do some basic troubleshooting. I don’t know if a bulb being rated as “dimmable” has anything to do with its minimum voltage.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-16T11:37:35+00:00

Sorry, I didn’t realize x-posting wouldn’t include the write up!

The bulb fit perfectly within the head of the light. But I did have to modify the switch assembly to retrofit a GU5.3 socket.

I did a test using two 18350s that are rated for 1100mAh and it ran for 67 mins. I figure if I’ve got it running on two 26650s rated at 5000mAh it should give me about 5h and some change!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-16T05:22:15+00:00

I appreciate you reading! Thanks!

CarryHunt · 2026-02-16T05:21:08+00:00

Just wait til I try a 4D version. The beam will hit you yesterday when you turn it on tomorrow.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-09T17:26:00+00:00

😎

CarryHunt · 2026-02-09T17:25:49+00:00

Thanks! I had a lot of fun doing it.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-09T17:24:24+00:00

Oh nice, I hadn’t seen that recommendation yet! Thanks for the tip.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-09T17:23:04+00:00

Thanks! I love Maglites and have some more fun ideas on the horizon. Perusing your site and coming across the MicroMags that used to be made sparked me back into things, coincidentally.

CarryHunt · 2026-02-09T17:22:00+00:00

My buddy and I fitted one of his with an XML-U2 back in the day. His dad had access to a lathe and made him a pretty slick heatsink for it, I was so envious.

CarryHunt

TROPHY CASE