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Make a $200 "tactical" flashlight for about $15

Step 5Comments and troubleshooting

Comments
I hope you enjoy your new flashlight. My daughter took it with her on Halloween. I could tell she was coming back when she was 3 blocks away. I usually walk my dog after the late night news. There is usually enough light pollution to make a flashlight unnecessary, but sometimes we get clear nights and it's darned dark out there. I'll take this flashlight to make sure there are no boogie men hiding in the dark streets.

If you already have a 2C flashlight, you can replace the bulb with the KPR118, use a battery holder made of 3/4-inch hot water PVC, 4-inches long, and the three CR123A batteries. You don't need the spacer with a 2C flashlight. If you don't yet have a 2C flashlight and want to use that, look for one with stippled or prismatic reflector.

At Christmas time you can get pretty good deals on flashlights. I bought a case of 2C Maglites last year, customized them, and gave them to my manly men friends as presents.

Troubleshooting
If you turn on your flashlight and it does not work, use the following checklist in order.

1. Open the battery compartment and make sure the batteries are installed (these batteries are so light you can't always tell when they are installed). While you have the back off, drop the entire battery holder out and make sure the spacer is connected to the pipe. Make sure the batteries are all facing the right direction (positive end in first). When you reinstall the batteries make sure the spring is aligned with the bottom of the batteries as you tighten the back.
2. If it is still not working, try a different bulb. Make sure the bulb is the KPR118 model. Lower voltage bulbs are instantaneous flash bulbs with this much battery power.
3. If it is still not working, try fresh batteries.
4. If it is still not working, you probably have a defective flashlight body.
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4 comments
Dec 11, 2011. 2:20 AMbahi says:
Useful and well done instructable, thanks.
Dec 20, 2008. 12:43 PMpolcn says:
Could you do this in a mini maglight? If so, how would you approach it?
Jul 29, 2008. 8:48 PMKarnivore says:
Thanks a lot for this! I can think of SO many ways to use this kind of tech...

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Author:dchall8
I was an engineer for the Air Force for 28 years and did land ownership research across Texas for several years. Now I am a field appraiser for a tax district.