TAD'S CUSTOMS 3C Maglite G4 Halogen 18650

RobertMM

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Anybody try these out?
They come completelly built with these:

A complete setup of flashlight mod:
1 Maglite 2C body X 1
2 G4 Halogen socket
3 Solid brass G4 socket base
4 Aluminum / smooth reflector
5 Multi-coated glass lens
6 Modified tailcap spring
7 C-size to 18650 PVC battery adapter
8 Philips 7388 20W G4 halogen bulb
⦁ Everything is installed in the 2C body
⦁ Simply insert TWO unprotected 18650 batteries then it can be run with any G4 high-ouput halogen bulb

List price is USD125 plus shipping.
 

night.hoodie

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Tad is really helping support the incan lovers. I checked Tad Customs site, and I do not see the kit as you describe it for $125, I only see pages for the Mag socket and a sparate bipin kit. Also, I don't see Tad listing Philips 7387/7388 Halogen lamps for sale, but only one or one of each at a time along with the Mag socket. Am I being dense? Probably. Can you link or direct us to a sales page for the kit? Thanks.
 

LiftdT4R

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I believe TAD has the full lights on e-bay.

I have a TAD Customs bi-pin set installed in a 2C with a Fivemega tail and bezel running on 2 x 18650s. You can use 18500s with the stock tail cap. The quality is top notch and let's you mess around with all sorts of G4 Incan bulbs. I like it and it's fun but I don't get much real world use out of it. I like using it in the yard and it's a helluva thrower but it's too bright for a walking or working light and the run time isn't long enough for an exploring light. I much prefer a 3D or 4D Malkoff. I did a semi-review of it here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ller-package&p=5187458&viewfull=1#post5187458

dgHyj5A.jpg


apfCaWG.jpg
 

RobertMM

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Yep, as Liftd stated I just saw the finished Mags for sale at their ebay listings.

What i am curious about is the runtime on these.
TAD's lists two options:
One 2C Mag for 20Watt G4 bulbs(includes 20 watt lamp) with a modified tailcap spring and:

One that they state is a lower power 3C option for those who want protected cells(they say stock spring) for use with 15watt or lower cells(includes 10watt lamp).
 

LiftdT4R

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I haven't timed mine with the 18650s but based on other lights I run and the voltage drop I saw I'm guessing somewhere around 30 to 45 minutes.

On 2 NiMH Cs and a stock 2C bulb I am right around 3.5 hours and I know those have much more capacity than 2 LiIon cells and the 2C Xenon bulb also pulls significantly less power.
 

RobertMM

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I am after decent runtime, maybe an hour plus(?) , so maybe the lower power G4 bulbs will give me that if ever I decide to go the TAD's route.
 

night.hoodie

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I believe TAD has the full lights on e-bay.

I have a TAD Customs bi-pin set installed in a 2C with a Fivemega tail and bezel running on 2 x 18650s. You can use 18500s with the stock tail cap. The quality is top notch and let's you mess around with all sorts of G4 Incan bulbs. I like it and it's fun but I don't get much real world use out of it. I like using it in the yard and it's a helluva thrower but it's too bright for a walking or working light and the run time isn't long enough for an exploring light. I much prefer a 3D or 4D Malkoff. I did a semi-review of it here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ller-package&p=5187458&viewfull=1#post5187458

dgHyj5A.jpg


apfCaWG.jpg


Wow. That build is awesome!
 

LiftdT4R

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Wow. That build is awesome!

Thanks!! It's a fun light and it was fun to put together but unfortunately it's too bright to use much and the run time is a little on the short side. Lol, I've wound up with a ton of lights like this. I really should post another WTS thread but I can't bear to let go.
 

night.hoodie

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mag G4 socket appears now on Tad Customs' site. I'm having trouble getting my head around this. Mag 4C incan with G4 socket and fits 3x18650 (or larger cells) runs a G4 lamp all for probably around $70, including a lamp and a few cells.

What am I not getting? Anything missing from my picture?
~$70 worth of parts = bright G4 premium consumer flashlight

I expect 4C directly corresponds to 3x18650, really 3x26650, length-wise, no spacers for 12V lamps. Does 3C immediately correspond to common Li-ion cell configurations (beyond 3x26500)?
 

night.hoodie

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I just realized 2C will take 3xSubC to achieve 12V. 2C is nice for its compactness compared to the larger C mags.

When I search for ordinary G4 lamps, they almost always seem to be 12V. While 6V G4 seems common enough for flashlights, are there 9V G4 lamps for 2xLi-ion? I found sources for cheap G4 lamps. Other than fivemega's superbulb sales thread, where are the decent G4 lamps sold?
 

id30209

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I just realized 2C will take 3xSubC to achieve 12V. 2C is nice for its compactness compared to the larger C mags.

When I search for ordinary G4 lamps, they almost always seem to be 12V. While 6V G4 seems common enough for flashlights, are there 9V G4 lamps for 2xLi-ion? I found sources for cheap G4 lamps. Other than fivemega's superbulb sales thread, where are the decent G4 lamps sold?

Getalamp.com
Bulbamerica.com
Svetila.com
 

novice

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night.hoodie,
I don't know how familiar you are with Lux Luthor's destructive incan bulb tests (sticky at the top of the incan section). I revere Lux Luthor for spending the time Luthor must have spent doing this testing, and then freely sharing the results with all of us on this forum.

Using a 2D M@g with a G4 socket and a seriously abbreviated tailcap spring, you can fit in 2x26650 cells. I use a piece of abs(?) pipe to keep the cells from rattling, and a piece of bicycle innertube to cover the gap where the tailcap doesn't screw down all the way. I also clumsily eked out maybe 1-2mm extra for those cells by loosening the set screw on the m@g switch and barely moving it forward, which meant that the switch cover no longer fits, which means that I have a piece of innertube covering that, too. That particular host is truly fugly.

Anyway, using Lux Luthor's data, these seemed some of the more "practical" bi-pin bulbs to use with a G4 socket, with 2xLi-ion cells, in a m@g (aluminum reflectors and glass lenses, please):

Philips 5761 (30W) - an estimated 1594 lumens on 7.4 volts. **Please use IMR Li-ion cells only**
Osram 64250 ESB/FHE (20W) - an estimated 902 lumens on 7.4 volts.
Hikari(?) JC5607 (20W) - an estimated 764 lumens on 7.4 volts (and 3110 lumens on 3xLi-ions).

I don't have any estimated runtimes for any of these.

There were also some good candidates amongst certain long-discontinued Welch-Allyn otoscope bulbs, but currently, they are almost impossible to find.

I am pleased to hear that Tad Customs is making a G4 socket for the m@glite.
 
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LiftdT4R

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C is close to 26500 (25530 is C size...i think). 26650 could go in

I've never been able to get 26650s to fit in any of my C cell Maglites. I wish they did because the capacity is so much higher than the 18650s.
 

Minimoog

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I've never been able to get 26650s to fit in any of my C cell Maglites. I wish they did because the capacity is so much higher than the 18650s.

Older C Maglites had a larger internal diameter. I bought a drill powered cylinder hone to refresh my brake cylinders (on car drum brakes) but it also works perfectly for opening up Maglites. You just hone away until the cells fit - oil the stones occasionally to stop them overheating.
 
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