For flashlight questions, I recommend http://candlepowerforums.com/

Do any of these look similar?
http://www.led-replacement.com/screw_base.html

well I finally did it, I switched from "windows" and am running Ubuntu! no more bugs! yaaaaa Linux!!

Not a screw type. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Here's what the official bulb looks like.

The bulb nests inside of a coil spring, and the bottom of the reflector bears down on the flange until it makes contact at the back. So the two critical dimensions are the base diameter (9mm) and the distance from the flange to the tip (14.5mm; probably 15mm nominal, there is some wear).

That site does have a couple of these type of bulbs, but no dimensions. This is where I need somebody experienced with lights and bulbs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey Momaw- just came in from the stores in the city shopping. Wow- I was over by the flashlights -bulbs etc and you talk about confusion. I would go over to the link that Andy mentioned and see if those folks can help. I am not familiar with your light ( sorry) - let us know the outcome

Sorry but you cannot replace just the bulb to convert it to LED, you need a whole new engine/drivers/interface. The technology for todays LEDs is not "Simple!" but the prices and selection has never been better!

They do have conversion kits for many type of lights (not all). Maglite is popular for this but after you spend the bucks you would have been better off getting a LED light in the first place; cheaper, more powerful and way easier.

If you decide to get a new LED EDC light, I recommend this one. I just got one for my Dad for Xmas, then when I saw how great it was I bought myself one. It has 3 modes, runs from 1 to 8.5 hours depending on the setting, and on high it's almost TOO bright for close work. It runs on just one AAA battery.

Fenix LD01 SS

Wow Which- i was just looking at those conversions. Why are they no good ? Sure glad I didn't throw the $$$ away . Thanks ! I am not sure what Momaw met about " regulated" eating up alkanies? I do not disagree- I flat don't know. ?Do you know anything about these www.coastcutlery.com ? Thanks

welcome to the desert of the real....

if you just dont want to throw away the casing use it to keep fire tinder matches and a pen and paper.


momaw did you try radioshack? i know we used to sell those types of bulbs they are used in MagLites.

WhichDawg is on point, keep the casing if you dont want to throw it away but you should really buy a new light. im not saying you couldnt fix/mod it, i just think it will save you time and hassle.

ive always been fine with a green photon on my keys.

Welcome to the brighter side Dan! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Still running it here as well. Quite happy with it.

About the murdering alkalines...

A voltage regulated LED runs off a tiny solid state DC-DC transformer that outputs a constant voltage, making up the difference by drawing more amps from the cells. Lights that run off a single cell like the very popular 1*AAA or 1*AA keychain lights have to step up the voltage to drive the LED at all, while lights that run off several cells use the regulator to make sure the light output is constant.

Normally alkaline cells drop in voltage as they drain, and are only 1.5 volts right at the beginning. Then they drop lower until whatever you've got plugged into them stops working (usually less than 1 volt). In an unregulated light, the light gets dimmer and dimmer as the voltage falls. In a regulated light, the light stays the same brightness because the regulator is pulling more amperage and converting it to volts.

The problem is that alkaline cells have less capacity the harder you push them. An AA cell being drained at 500 milliamps will last less than half as long as a cell that's only being hit for 250 milliamps. Much less. Which is why a single set of AAs will last five years in your TV remote: the demand on them is tiny. Voltage-related LEDs murder alkaline cells because they hammer them hard for lots of amperage, and alkaline capacity nosedives when they are forced to give lots of amperage.

This is a non-issue for rechargeable NIMHs. NIMH only wants to give up 1.2 volts, but it will stay at close to 1.2 volts until the cell is nearly dead. They also do not mind delivering very high amperage: their "run time" is not adversely affected by how hard you push them. A 2000 millamp-hour NIMH AA will give you 2000mah whether you are pushing it for 2 amps or 0.2 amps.

(This is true up until the point where you get so ridiculous that they overheat and melt.)

So. I'm not a fan of V-regged LEDs. They waste alkaline capacity, and are unnecessary for NIMH (and lithium). Unless, as above, you have a tiny light that only uses one cell and needs to step up the voltage.