Introduction: Tactical Flashlight for Just $10.50
Needless to say, my inspiration for this project was Kipkay's video on the same subject. Here is a brief description of what I had to do to achieve the same results.
Step 1: Gather All of Your Materials.
The first thing you need to do is gather all the parts you need. For this instructable, you will need 1 Eveready Industrial Flashlight, found at Home Depot for $3.97. You will also need 1 6V flashlight bulb from Radioshack; model KPR112. This is about $1.50. Finally, you will need 3 123 batteries. These can be found on surefire.com for about 2 dollars a piece. Total cost for this project is slightly over $10.50.
Step 2: How to Modify the Flashlight.
First, you need to unscrew the end cap end the lens cap. Inside you will notice two spines running the length of the light and another two with a strip of metal between them. All you need to do is remove one of the spines that is not next to the metal. To do this I used a chisel from a generic X-ACTO type kit. After this, I taped the 3 123 batteries together so they would be easier to insert and remove. Then I inserted the batteries. It is a very tight fit. It will require some pushing. A tight it fit is better because it prevents the batteries from rattling and from excessive shaking. Replace the standard bulb with the KPR112. Screw both ends together and you should have a working tactical style flashlight.
If you look at the first image below, at 135 degrees there is no spine
Step 3: The Final Product.
I bought two flashlights just in case I "accidently" messed up one of the flashlights. I decided to paint the flashlight black, just like Kipkay, but I had it set on a piece of cardboard on my back lawn. Lets just say "the wind" blew the flashlight down and grass got stuck to the wet paint. This was the perfect time for a test. I had to wash the grass off the flashlight, but I used Krylon and it stuck pretty well. I decided to submerge the flashlight and impressively, the flash light still turned on after I pulled it out of the water. I was left with a very ugly black paint job.
See below.
Because of this incident, I decided to modify the second flashlight and make an Instructable about it. Now the yellow flashlight has the good batteries and bulb and the ugly brownish yellowish blackish camoflaguish one is stock.
Test results are on the following page.
Step 4: Test Results.
There really is no comparison. It must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. Here are the pictures. These shots are taken about 1 foot from a white wall. The first two pictures are the two evereadys compared. The stock one gives off a brownish tint while the upgrade gives off white light. Pictures 3 and 4 are front shots of the two evereadys. Pictures 5 and up are the Eveready mod next to the Dorcy K2 6 Watt Luxeon, the brightest Luxeon L.E.D. on the market. It puts out 120 lumens. This is a $40 flashlight. Thank you for viewing and "happy modding."
26 Comments
5 years ago
Hello guys I want to know about some good quality tactical flashlight compaines
14 years ago on Step 4
red filter your modded light for a more tactical approach
15 years ago on Introduction
hay kipkay try a cripton LED 176 lumen's very, very bright.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I believe most white LED's are made with gallium nitride, not krypton.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
oops what i ment is that there is a company that makes LED called Cripton. Sorry about that.
14 years ago on Introduction
The reason your flashlight burst into flames is because you used a 6Volt bulb in a 9 volt application. You should have used the 118 (7.2) instead of the 112 (6v) and I think you would have been OK. You were pushing the limits of that bulb, it got hot too many times, the whole light did, and that's why it burst ito flames. The battery's just helped fuel the flames I'd say. I don't think that the cells could have started the fire without a dead short of some kind..... Hard to do with all that plastic......
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
But he said the flashlight was off... maybe one of his CR123's was bad.
15 years ago on Introduction
Hey guys, I just wanted to let you guys know that i did this hack with the same flashlight and everything about 3 months ago. It worked really well and it was pretty cool But then just yesterday I was in my dorm room about to go to sleep and there was this huge bang like a firecracker and there was a light coming from under my bed. My flashlight had been under my desk and it was now on fire! I tried to blow out the flame (stupid, but i was freaked out) and I think i breathed in a lot of the toxic fumes from burning CR123's... the batteries were the source of the explosion. I had a bottle of water next to me so i was able to put out the fire but it was so scary. Parts of the flashlight were thrown around my room... it was pretty crazy.. I just wanted to warn you guys because I had the flashlight for about 3 months and nothing had gone wrong... I hadn't even turned it on for at least a month and it just randomly blew up... I think this mod is kinda dangerous... Just make sure you guys are careful, but in my opinion, I think that it's unpredictable, and its not worth it to mod the flashlight. I really want to just make sure you guys are safe, thanks, eric
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, I appreciate you telling us about this. I actually don't use the flashlight anymore. When I bought a Surefire and realized it was brighter and better, I took the batteries out of the hack to keep as spares for my Surefire. It wasn't worth it because if used for prolonged periods it runs the risk of melting.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
which surefire, I have 2. Also try fenix lights, small, bright multi setting, cheap lights(cheaper then surefire). The site is fenix-store.com.
15 years ago on Introduction
i live in ireland and thoes battries cost a bomb true u can get them on radioshak and what ever but if accidentally leave the torch on all the battries wil go is there aanother way
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
eBay, rechargeable from 10-30 usd dollars
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, just go to the batteries are about 2 U.S. dollars.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
thanks a million
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Sure, no problem
15 years ago on Introduction
Radioshack is gayest store on the planet (I go everyday) LOL LOL LOL
15 years ago on Introduction
i made this it worked well them my little cousin left it on and it melted...too bad
16 years ago on Introduction
I think ive seen this before... but its a nice idea.
16 years ago on Introduction
Except for the part where kipkay's design melted down on me, I like the idea. The Everready bulb holder and lens are just not up to the heat generated by the over driven bulb.
16 years ago on Introduction
I've done this a while ago when this tutorial was first posted - over a year ago on the web using the same flashlight. I work with the police and wanted a light, bright flashlight. This hack didn't last for one day. The batteries went south.