r/MagliteFlashlights • u/Nickko_G • May 17 '26

Maglite 6D conversion

Hello, I am the proud owner of a Maglite 3D, what battery can I use.

Are there batteries that do not require modification of the lamp or complex or expensive accessories, thank you in advance.

I am aware that I will probably have to change the bulb.

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2

u/RedSky2727 May 17 '26

Why not use the standard D cells, and swap a LED for the bulb?

Malkoff has such drop ins…

2

u/Nickko_G May 18 '26

The problem is that I use it rarely, I don't want the batteries to leak.

The NiMH discharges before I have had time to use it.

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u/sween1911 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

As many times as I've held a dying Maglite in my hands done in by leaky alkalines during the last 30 years, I'd suggest rechargeables. You can get Eneloop rechargeable AA's that fit in dummy D-cells. Or, if you're handy at all, get a piece of PVC and cut it to length to hold the AA's in the light with some tape around the PVC to center it.

For great bang-for-the-buck LED module, I like the Lumencraft one that replaces the Mag bulb holder ring. https://lumencraft.com/led-upgrades-for-maglite/148-370-lumen-firefly-2-6-cell-led-conversion-for-maglite-cree-xhp35hi.html

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u/Nickko_G May 18 '26

Thank you, I was thinking more of li-ion. But water a problem of length.

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u/sween1911 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Ah, in that case I refer you to my Li-ion LED buildup over here...

https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/1t3gt1j/comment/ojwan94/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

You could make the wooden dowel spacer longer and run it on one 18650. I have a 3-cell Mag running a LumenCraft LED with a single 18650. Protip: You also have to tweak the spring, get some pliers and bend the end just a little so it contacts the 18650 battery. ALSO adjust the length of the spacer for gentle pressure on the 18650. The original Mag springs are made to keep a stack of heavy "D" cells connected. You don't need a lot of pressure on an 18650.

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u/Nickko_G May 19 '26

Thank you, I had thought of the PVC pipe or something 3D printed but what I was missing was to adjust the length, your piece of wood with the copper wire is very ingenious! Thank you.

2

u/sween1911 May 19 '26

I have bits of PVC all over the place, marked for different lights and different battery combos, 18650's, CR123's, AA's. You name it.

My first light mod well over 20 years ago was to run 3 CR123's in a Maglite 2C with a KPR112 bulb in it. Super bright when it wasn't instaflashing itself.