best advice:
get a
1*18650 light instead, it is better in every respect
(smaller, lighter, cheaper, more energy in cell)
1 * 18650 host + P60 led insert
some ideas:
* You only need a Ni-Mh/Ni-Cad charger that can charge 3 cells in series ... no big deal
* HOMEMADE battery stick (from "cutdown" 7.2 V "racing packs") instead of anything "original" ... there are a few threads that show how
my view - from modding around with these lights (8X, 9N, similar) when they were top notch:
NOT ENOUGH SPACE inside light to do it good!
for the 8X: when widening the hole inside the head just a bit, so that a P60 (led) insert fits in ... thats possibly best mod for an 8X
... and "removable", as the original LA still would work
but I would else keep it as "Piece of history" - with no intended real use - or sell it to a collector ... for a fortune