Maglite 2-C to 3-123A conversion

 
 
Modification
         

Light Type: Incandescent
Light Class: Outdoor / Specialty / Etc.

NOTICE: Do not attempt the modification listed on this page. If you decide to attempt any modifications based upon the information found anywhere on this web site you do so entirely AT YOUR OWN RISK. The author of this web site is not responsible if you injure or damage anything or anyone to any extent whatsoever. The content of this page is presented for entertainment purposes only. LEGAL NOTICE PAGE

Now that THAT'S out of the way, on with the show...

Looks like a regular little 2-C cell Maglite, doesn't it? Well don't let appearances fool you! In "street racing" vocabulary, this would be called a "sleeper". It looks like a regular light, but it's souped up under the hood. This was a very simple modification which uses a spacer tube, a new bulb, three 123A cells, and a very slight modification to the tail spring to give this little 2-C Mag the output closer to that of a 6-D cell Mag!

Parts: Thanks go to John C. of San Diego, CA, who helped me out by sending the parts and instructions needed for this modification. The parts are actually very simple: a piece of water heater hose (resists heat VERY well) sliced up the side and a new bulb.

I measured the hose at about 10/16ths inner diameter, 15/16ths outer diameter, 4" in length. This works perfectly as a spacer to hold three 123A cells in the body tube of the 2-C light. The bulb is a Maglite Mag-Num Star Xenon 6 Cell bulb.

First I replaced the bulb. Then I just slid in the hose, slid in three 123A cells (positive first) and look at the fit! Just about perfect. I put the tailcap on and... no light. The spring on the end of the light is designed to make contact with large C cells and needed a slight modification. The top loop was too wide to make contact with the smaller negative plate of the 123A cell. By using a pair of good pliers (and safety glasses) I was able to apply pressure to two sides of the top spring loop and bend the outer arm of the spring inward enough to contact the negative side of the smaller 123A cell.

This was a minor modification and would not affect the light's use in any way if I reverted it back to it's original configuration.

Output: Very bright! Just about what you would expect from a 9V flashlight. Since it uses the normal Mag smooth reflector, the beam is full of artifacts, rings, holes, etc., especially when changing the focus from a narrow beam to a wide flood. If I wanted to smooth it out, I could use a replacement diffusing lens from Flashlight-Lens.com.

   
Beam at one meter at target center, most narrow and most wide beam.

Level
Modified Setup
16000 (126.49)
6000 (60.00)
Normal Setup (2-C, standard bulb)
7000 (83.66)
1150 (11.50)


All throw readings are in Lux at one meter. The numbers in parenthesis are for comparison in the Comparison Charts.

Runtime Plot: So how long does it run? Only about an hour, which is pretty normal for a three 123A powered light. Note that the light started out around the 75% mark and got brighter over time, maxing out around 20 minutes in. The throw and output numbers given in the Quick Facts table are from the START of the runtime, so at its maximum the throw number would be around 168 and overall output around 80. This puts it close to other 3 x 123A cell tactical lights.


Runtime completed with "Titanium" brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Conclusions: Really, that's about it! A piece of water heater hose, a new bulb, three 123A cells and a slight bend added to the top loop of the negative spring and a 2-C cell MagLight was turned into a very bright "tactical output" torch with only a very small financial investment.


Quick Facts Table:

Item Reviewed.......................... Maglite 2-C to 3-123A conversion
Review Date ............................. July 2006
Bulb Type ................................. Maglite Mag-Num Star Xenon 6 Cell
Throw (Lux) at 1m (click for description) ~ 16000 at beam center. (126.49 Comparison Chart equivalent)
Overall Output (click for description) ~ 6000 (60.00 Comparison Chart equivalent)
Battery / Power Type................ 3 x 123A lithium cell
Battery Life (test results) ........... ~ 50 minutes to 50% starting output
 

 

 
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