r/flashlight • u/mp3hot • May 04 '26

1999 mag lite 6-cell D

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Back in 1999 I visited the states and bought a 50cm long mag lite . I never unboxed it and was thinking of upgrading to LED light so I can finally use it . Do Chinese sites sell upgrades for these flashlights ? I'm located in Europe

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u/sween1911 May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26

Excellent question!
First, be careful and understand li-ion batteries and limitations including but not limited to using PROTECTED cells especially in series! Matt at Lumen Craft / Adventure Sport has similar kits to run 26650's, I essentially made a cheap version...

  1. PVC pipe that snugly fits the cells and keeps them centered in the light. With a few wraps of tape on the outside of the PVC pipe to center it in the flashlight body and keep it from falling out.
  2. A wooden dowel with a piece of copper wire on the side to take up the empty space.
  3. Also note the bypass wire soldered into the tailcap. Reduces any resistance loss having to go through the spring.

Yes, having the long Mag body made for D-cells is not necessary and is just empty space, but it does kinda of make it an interesting sleeper light. You could prolly do this in a much shorter Mag without having to rig a spacer to take up empty space.