First working mod!

[DonG]

Have several half done ideas on the work bench but this is the first working one. Started life as a $2.00 led light from tractor supply. Genesis tank is my first too. "Dumbbell" style for durability and no wires through the juice. Utilized the original bottom mounted switch from the light. Just took it apart and converted it from on.off click to momentary.

 

[aziffel]

Nice!Sharp lookin.

 

[DonG]

Thanks AZ. Always been partial to anodized blue color. Top cap machined on my hobby lathe. Using the original switch modded to momentary means it is totally mechanical. Does not have any wires in it at all except for 1.5" of 32ga kanthal.

 

[DonG]

Anyone tried one of these using the original battery holder? Like 3 10440s with a 5v regulator?

 

[Chopper71]

Very nice,wished I could use a lathe.Here is a flashlight USB passthru that I made a while back.

 

[sumoman25]

Love the mods guys, how did you go about turning the on/off to a momentary switch? I've got several flashlights I've been tinkering with and I never considered doing that.

And chopper, have you had any luck using other switches? I know those switches are the easiest to use, but I absolutely hate how big they are. I'm trying to use some tiny tactile switches, but I've found them incredibly fragile and difficult to mount, any suggestions?

 

[Chopper71]

And chopper, have you had any luck using other switches? I know those switches are the easiest to use, but I absolutely hate how big they are. I'm trying to use some tiny tactile switches, but I've found them incredibly fragile and difficult to mount, any suggestions?

Yeah they are big but the only ones Ive tried so far.I completely removed the momentary switch and inserted the other one.Turned out it was a perfect fit.

 

[DonG]

Unfortunately no pics of the switch conversion as I was not even sure it would work when I did it. Maybe I will do another for pics.

When removed the switch is a black housing with a white button. There are several retaining tabs which are carefully pried loose to open the switch housing exposing the internals. The click mechanism is made like the inside of a click pen; two interlocking pieces each with 4 tabs around the perimeter. Simply remove the 4 tabs from the inner piece and reassemble your new momentary switch.

Hope I described well enough. Should have taken pics.

 

[WillyB]

Well maybe RocketMan (the flashlight king at one time) will show up and post links to his conversions and the various revisions he made after being in the field awhile.

There is another older thread where the member showed how he did his.