Maglite 6D Conversion Help

Randall Foreman · Mar 11, 2018

Guys I got a free Maglite 6D "baton flashlight" from work and it has the incandescent bulbs in it. Low power, just not so good. I'd like to upgrade it to an LED. I see this unit:

https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/products/3-6-d-cell-drop-in-to-fit-maglite

Is this a good one? It says it is heat sinked so the light can be on for a long time. Run time with 6 D batteries is supposed to be 12 hours and it's much brighter than the stock incandescent bulb. My questions:

1. How long can the light be safely left on without burning up? My uses would be for camping and for in the truck if I get a flat so might need a long-running light.

2. Is the LED more durable than the incandescent bulb? I'm assuming so but am not sure, don't know much about this stuff.

Figured I try and give this basic and free light some new life and make it more durable and useful. Thoughts?

terryoregon · Mar 11, 2018

How long can the light be safely left on without burning up?

The Malkoff is rated at 325 lumens, heat won't be a problem.

Here are some other alternatives as well. Reviewed by one of our well-known members from Adventure Sports Flashlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK7NbWqvB-k

bykfixer · Mar 11, 2018

Malkoff it.
Plenty of light and lots of durabilty.

Guitar Guy · Mar 11, 2018

bykfixer said:
Malkoff it.
Plenty of light and lots of durabilty.

+1

I just got that same Malkoff for my 4D truck light. It rocks. I went a step further and got a glass lens and aluminum reflector for even better heat sinking, but it's not really required.

To me, Malkoff products are, for lack of a better term, over-engineered, or stronger than they need to be, as with say, military items. Not a bad thing. Also, from some comparison tests I've seen done, it seems Malkoff underestimates the Lumen specs, compared to many companies who inflate the advertised Lumen rating.

JT

Randall Foreman · Mar 12, 2018

Thanks gang. I'm not really worried about having all the lumens, just want something more durable. I know these incandescents break a lot. So the LED is more resistant? The light won't burn up even if used for long amounts of time, like an hours or better without turning off?

terryoregon · Mar 12, 2018

The light won't burn up even if used for long amounts of time, like an hours or better without turning off?

Malkoff is a reputable company, it's safe to believe them when they say:

Full heatsinking of the driver and LED insure that the module can, and will, run at maximum output for extended periods.

I have the 1,000 lumens Terralux in my 6 D-Cell, and I've done runtime graphs where it ran for six hours. The head got pretty warm, but the main body tube was barely warm. 325 lumens won't be an issue.

Randall Foreman · Mar 12, 2018

terryoregon said:
Malkoff is a reputable company, it's safe to believe them when they say:

I have the 1,000 lumens Terralux in my 6 D-Cell, and I've done runtime graphs where it ran for six hours; barely got warm. 325 lumens won't be an issue.

Yay! Sounds like the one for me.

So the LED is more resistant to drops and so on? I have had incandescent bulbs turn to powder from dropping them on pavement.

radar696 · Mar 12, 2018

Randall Foreman said:
Guys I got a free Maglite 6D "baton flashlight" from work and it has the incandescent bulbs in it. Low power, just not so good. I'd like to upgrade it to an LED. I see this unit:

https://malkoff-devices.myshopify.com/products/3-6-d-cell-drop-in-to-fit-maglite

Is this a good one? It says it is heat sinked so the light can be on for a long time. Run time with 6 D batteries is supposed to be 12 hours and it's much brighter than the stock incandescent bulb. My questions:

1. How long can the light be safely left on without burning up? My uses would be for camping and for in the truck if I get a flat so might need a long-running light.

2. Is the LED more durable than the incandescent bulb? I'm assuming so but am not sure, don't know much about this stuff.

Figured I try and give this basic and free light some new life and make it more durable and useful. Thoughts?

When the finances loosen up I'm thinking about making this upgrade.
I haven't been using those lights.
They are just sitting on the shelf gathering dust.

Radar

ChrisGarrett · Mar 12, 2018

I have two 6D MLs from my movie theatre management days back in the 90s. I added the TerraLux MiniStar 5s for $36 total and while they're only as bright as the bulbs, the runtimes are longer.

I was mulling over the Malkoffs, but I never use them and they'd only be loaners in a hurricane setting.

They do make nice clubs, however.

Chris

bykfixer · Mar 12, 2018

Here's a nudge....

A 3D with a Malkoff
Adding 3 cells is like adding a 2nd fuel tank.

LiftdT4R · Mar 12, 2018

I'm a little late to the party but I highly recommend Malkoff. I think I have them in every flavor now and they are the most rugged dependable drop ins. I only wish they'd make a warm tint and it would be the perfect light for me.

bykfixer · Mar 12, 2018

FYI:

Left is a pre-cut from Malkoff
You'll need to cut the cam off the reflector or buy one from Malkoff pre-cut.
If you choose DIY, leave 1/8" of the vertical part like in the photo. It takes about a minute with a dremel cutting disk then a sanding disk makes it look perdy like Gene Malkoff did.

Randall Foreman · Mar 12, 2018

Sounds good, gang. I'm deploying soon but once I get back in a few months I'll get the Malkoff. Just seems really awesome.

So will I be okay with the standard reflector, trimmed? Or do I need to buy an aluminum reflector lest the light overheat? Someone mentioned that at those lumen levels it should not... can anyone else chime in on this? And the LED will be more resistant to drops, right?

LiftdT4R · Mar 12, 2018

Thanks for your service!!

You can trim the stock one, it's easy enough and more than fine. You don't need the aluminum one.

However....

The Orange Peel KAI Domain reflectors are awesome! The cam screws on and off so you don't need to do any cutting. They'll work perfect without any mods. The orange peel helps hide any imperfections in the lens or reflector too and throws a nice even light, albeit by sacrificing some of the throw. They're only $10 shipped but beware it will take a month to get to you because they ship basic postage from Asia.

http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S006166.KD-M-g-OP-reflector-V3_1-15mm-Opening

bykfixer · Mar 13, 2018

Waaaaaaaay more drop friendly than a light bulb. Yes.

Randall Foreman · Mar 14, 2018

bykfixer said:
Waaaaaaaay more drop friendly than a light bulb. Yes.

Sounds all to the good, gang.

Brighter, more resilient, and with a ~12 hour run time. Should make an excellent setup.

1pt21 · Mar 14, 2018

I know it's been said 10x by now, but I can't help myself.....

Malkoff, the only way to go. You'll thank us later.

Randall Foreman · Mar 14, 2018

LiftdT4R said:
Thanks for your service!!

You can trim the stock one, it's easy enough and more than fine. You don't need the aluminum one.

However....

The Orange Peel KAI Domain reflectors are awesome! The cam screws on and off so you don't need to do any cutting. They'll work perfect without any mods. The orange peel helps hide any imperfections in the lens or reflector too and throws a nice even light, albeit by sacrificing some of the throw. They're only $10 shipped but beware it will take a month to get to you because they ship basic postage from Asia.

http://www.kaidomain.com/p/S006166.KD-M-g-OP-reflector-V3_1-15mm-Opening

Thank you, much appreciated.

Randall Foreman · Mar 15, 2018

Gang, what do you make of this Cree bulb?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014Q2DRQ6/?tag=cpf0b6-20

Seems really good yet inexpensive. How does it compare to the Malkoff?

fivemega · Mar 15, 2018

If brightness is important for you, another option is 3XML drop in

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