Modern Battery Options for Maglite Halogen MagCharger

[ckfey2156]

I recently came into possession of an old but new-in-box Halogen MagCharger circa 2005. It came with the charging cradle and cords, and a NiCD battery.

I called Maglite and asked them if it would be a good idea to replace the battery due to its age, and they said that the MagCharger rechargeable battery packs were only good for about 3-5 years and not to use it.

So, I'm looking for modern battery options to power this light and have found four options so far. I would love to hear some feedback and recommendations from people who have more experience. I don't expect to use this light often, only rarely when needed.

Option 1, is buying a new 6v NiMH 3.5ah battery from Maglite for about $30. This option would obviously work with the stock charger, and should provide long runtime between charges. However, I expect this battery pack would have a high self-discharge rate, and an overall short battery life since most of its time it would have to be left on the charger in order to be ready when needed.

Option 2, is buy an aftermarket NiCD battery, but I don't see any real advantage or disadvantage to this over an OEM NiMH battery (other than NiCD memory effect, which may or may-not exist depending on who you ask).

Option 3, is buy 3aa to D cell adapters and run the light off of Eneloops. Scouring the forums, I have found some differing opinions of how many Eneloop cells to use with a MagCharger. Some say use 5 cells to get exactly 6 volts, and others say use 6 cells for 7.2 volts and overdrive the bulb for more brightness. Some say this will shorten the bulb life or even cause an instaflash, others say it is perfectly safe? Any opinions? Other than figuring out the ideal number of cells to use, this setup has some apparent advantages. Mainly, Eneloops have a low self discharge rate, so the batteries stay charged and usable while off the charger and can be ready when they are needed. Also, they can be recharged thousands of times, which means long overall battery life. The downside I can foresee, is a limit of 2000mah, which means shorter runtimes between charges.

Option 4, two 32650 or 32700 LiFePO4 batteries. The only issue I am having with this, is finding a smart charger that charges batteries that large, AND supports LiFePO4 chemistry. Also, I cannot find protected LiFePO4 batteries, and wonder if that is as important as with Lithium Ion batteries?

That is all. I know it's a lot of questions, and I have tried to search the forums for answers before posting a new thread. A lot of the threads that cover this information as it pertains to the MagCharger are very old, and usually the links within them that claim to have all the answers I need don't work anymore.

Thanks again, cant wait to learn what others have found to work for them.

 

[Fresh Light]

I have an old magcharger that I bought new on clearance at harbor freight. I also purchased 2 additional batteries they had. The original battery pack it came with went bad and I put in one of the replacement packs. I've thought of upgrading the batteries. But my main consideration was that I didn't want to lose one of my favorite aspects of having this light which was keeping it stored on the charger.

 

[ckfey2156]

I have an old magcharger that I bought new on clearance at harbor freight. I also purchased 2 additional batteries they had. The original battery pack it came with went bad and I put in one of the replacement packs. I've thought of upgrading the batteries. But my main consideration was that I didn't want to lose one of my favorite aspects of having this light which was keeping it stored on the charger.

Agreed, storing the light on the charger is convenient, not only because it should keep the battery charged, but it also means you know exactly where it is if you're forgetful like me!

My only concern is that from reading other posts on the forum, NiMH batteries can have their service life reduced if they are constantly left charging. I believe the MagCharger was designed for people who worked at night, so they could discharge the battery in one night and re-charge it immediately, not leave it charging for long periods of time.

 

[letschat7]

I bought a 90s era NOS Magcharger and wondered what to do. Mine had a probably useless battery and this 12V cigerette lighter charger cable. First thing I did was order a NOS 110v wall wart and then I got some new Halogen bulbs from my local Mag stocking dealer and ordered a nimh battery and holster from Mag.

My charger doesn't tell me so well when it is full so I leave it on for so many hours I think the first charge was 16 hours but my mind is foggy.

I am all the time using some outdated charger lights such as the Strion, Ultrastinger, or SL20X.

Instead of some crazy mods to get a few more lumens just go and get an X21 or if size is and issue get the P17R Core from Led Lenser.

 

[letschat7]

Oh I forgot to mention I charge up my lights and use them until the batteries are spent and then charge them up again. I wouldn't leave them on the chargers in case of a power surge or to not waste electricity.

 

[fivemega]

Use pair of 26650 with spacer in M*gCharger and 6V, 20W, 100 hours halogen bulb.
Remember, this is extremely bright and runs very hot so use it for short burst or use with upgraded aluminum reflector and ceramic socket.
Batteries must be individually recharged with proper charger.

 

[ampdude]

Use pair of 26650 with spacer in M*gCharger and 6V, 20W, 100 hours halogen bulb.
Remember, this is extremely bright and runs very hot so use it for short burst or use with upgraded aluminum reflector and ceramic socket.
Batteries must be individually recharged with proper charger.

That NICD you sent me really did the trick like I thought it would. I was hoping to at least get the old NIMH stick limping around with the new charging base, and it did charge. But after a week it was dead already. I tossed the NIMH stick in the trash in disgust earlier today. I was tempted to charge the NICD earlier today as well. But I'm gonna be careful with it so it doesn't get a memory effect. I just use the Magcharger to check around the building most of the time anyways.

 

[konifans]

This is the perfect replacment of the stock Nicad/NiMh battery.
Use stock Magcharger 6V halogen bulb (1.7A), over 3 hours of runtime.
If I need something more powerful / higer wattage bulb, I will go for other options instead of Magcharger.

 

[ampdude]

Looks like you're using a spacer there, did you make that youself? You using a battery sleeve?

 

[konifans]

Yes you need a spacer for 2 x 32700. I made that myself by using some brass screws and nuts and some homemade PA (nylon) sleeves and washers.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I stopped using Magchargers years ago but I'd just get a cheap NiCd and be done with it. I have off-brand batteries from 2005 that I still sometimes charge up to test lights I'm working on.

 

[letschat7]

I really like the Magcharger. I am not a fan of 3D class Maglites having grown tired of them from before I was out of high school or on CPF even however the constant bright incan output is wonderful. However I like how SL20X looks more and the performance and feel plus style of Ultrastinger means mine gets very little use.

I am so lucky to have so many choices.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Magchargers are fantastic examples of engineering and manufacturing. I think it's one of the most advanced flashlights relative to when it was created.

 

[ckfey2156]

I stopped using Magchargers years ago but I'd just get a cheap NiCd and be done with it. I have off-brand batteries from 2005 that I still sometimes charge up to test lights I'm working on.

Thanks for the advice. As far as cheep NiCd batteries, I'm assuming an aftermarket battery from Amazon will suffice? Or is there a supplier you recommend?

 

[letschat7]

I wouldn't use those sketchy companies. Find a place that rebuilds with quality cells. Like seriously they make the product the same colours and style as Streamlight battery hoping no one pays attention to their madeup name 'OXWINOU' that is just some letters put together. The rest are dodgy too. Now I think someone like Interstate Battery made some cells once.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Thanks for the advice. As far as cheep NiCd batteries, I'm assuming an aftermarket battery from Amazon will suffice? Or is there a supplier you recommend?

I don't have any suppliers, but anything sold by an actual company that isn't just skirting trademark laws is probably fine. But I wouldn't pay much considering how cheap the official Mag cells are, even if they are NiMh.

One thing, although Magchargers and SL-20Xs technically use the same battery, Mag requires one with a protruding positive contact whereas Streamlight doesn't. I've seen batteries that worked in the latter but not in the former.

 

[alpg88]

Thanks for the advice. As far as cheep NiCd batteries, I'm assuming an aftermarket battery from Amazon will suffice? Or is there a supplier you recommend?

nope, it will not. cheap batteries are garbage, another problem MC uses 1/2D cells, which are no longer made by any reputable manufacturer. 5 eneloops are probably the only decent option today, that would be reliable, and still charged by stock charger. black eneloops pro are same capacity as stock cells.
Li ion will work with different bulb, but you can not run them for long, unless you install aluminum reflector, borofloat lens, and ceramic bulb socket. all of it will probably cost you as much as new modern magcharger.

 

[alpg88]

You can get a 1 inch pvc pipe, (fits just right in D maglites) cut it to proper length, make front and back contacts, then solder 5 eneloops, and stick them inside, you may need to do some filing inside so you can fit 2 AA side by side.

 

[ampdude]

nope, it will not. cheap batteries are garbage, another problem MC uses 1/2D cells, which are no longer made by any reputable manufacturer.

What do you think about Synergy? They look like they might be legit.

 

[alpg88]

Never heard of them before.

I looked up and tenergy makes 1/2D nicd cells with 2500mah capacity. I used tenergy before, in general good cells, thout some are better then others, never tried their 1/2D cells, but if i had to fix MC i'd go with 5 eneloops, not only eneloops are proven, they would be lighter like 1/3 or the weight for the same capacity.