What kills my mini maglites?

H

Hotrod

Joined
Mar 19, 2003
Messages
978
Hey guys...

When you are camping, do you ever have a maglite go out?

I've gone through three 2AA maglites in the last few years. All of them quit working! Put in a new bulb, fresh batteries... and make sure theres no corrosion... yet they still don't light.

Is there a switch somewhere inside that goes out?

UGH! :confused:
 
Good question I've had the same thing happen with a 2aa and a 2d cell.

I've grown to like the dorcy led lights from wallmart.
 
Man, I've been using maglites for as long as I can remember; at least 15 years! Had my "favorite" minimag light from the beginning and other than going through bulbs and batts I've had no troubles. Just the past few years I've taken to lightly oiling all threadsand O-rings with gun oil, just ot help with sealing and to prevent that squeakiness...and I've upgraded to LED, but yeah.

About the only thing that could go wrong would be if there is corrosion or dirt in the tail cap threads or if the sandwich switch gets corroded or dirty. Both of which are quite uncommon. Then again, I haven't bought a new mag in maybe 5 or 6 years, so I suppose they could have issues now that they havent in the past.
 
Buck268 said:
Just the past few years I've taken to lightly oiling all threadsand O-rings with gun oil, just ot help with sealing and to prevent that squeakiness...and I've upgraded to LED, but yeah.
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Beware of using petrolium based lubricants on rubber, it tends to disintigrate them over time. Use nothing but silicone lube.:eek:
 
Convert to a clickie tail switch to prevent them from twisting on by themselves. Mine kept going dry on me quickly, and when I most needed them, before I did that.

Also, upgrade to LED... I think everything can be had a Walmart now...
 
I've been using maglites for 20 years (give or take). I have a 2 d-cell, a 4 c-cell and a 2aa-cell (minimag) maglites. Never had any problems with any of those at all. However i have gone through three of the aaa micro keychain maglites. They never last me more than three or four months They seem to be kinda fragile. Finally i just stopped buying them.
You wouldn't be using rechargable batteries by any chance? I learned long ago Maglites do not like rechargeables, its a great way to burn out bulbs prematurely. I use rechargeables exclusively in all my battery powered goodies except for my maglites.
I might have to pick up a keychain led to replace the last aaa maglite or buy a new Vic Spartan or Huntsman with the built-in led to go on my keychain.
 
I've had the same problem -- but it is usually after I left it in my truck for a bitterly cold winter.

I now use the INOVA X1 (i think that's what it is) it takes 1 AA and lasts about 6-8 hours ( I don't think we can get that from a Mini Mag)

Also, the lithium 123 lights are great - BRIGHT - but short run time
 
lotoblades said:
I've grown to like the dorcy led lights from wallmart.
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My friend's parents owns the company that makes all the Dorcy flashlights!! I'll let him know that there's a happy customer out there!

Sorry can't comment on the maglites as I have long switches to a Petzal headlamp/ surefire G2.
 
sherlockbonez,thats cool!

Yea I've torn up maglights and even a streamlight(had it in my lap while sitting stood up and the three foot fall killed it) but so far so good on the dorcy's:thumbup:
 
really i have a mini aa maglite and it was hit with a fully loaded rig (my backpack fell out of the back of a truck and i lost my messkit and most of my camping gear for that week end exept my tarp my foam pad and my down filled mummy bag my leather man and a few other assorted goodies) all i had to do was replace the lens and the bulb and it still works as good as the day i bought it
 
tholiver said:
I've been using maglites for 20 years (give or take). I have a 2 d-cell, a 4 c-cell and a 2aa-cell (minimag) maglites. Never had any problems with any of those at all. However i have gone through three of the aaa micro keychain maglites. They never last me more than three or four months They seem to be kinda fragile. Finally i just stopped buying them.
You wouldn't be using rechargable batteries by any chance? I learned long ago Maglites do not like rechargeables, its a great way to burn out bulbs prematurely. I use rechargeables exclusively in all my battery powered goodies except for my maglites.
I might have to pick up a keychain led to replace the last aaa maglite or buy a new Vic Spartan or Huntsman with the built-in led to go on my keychain.
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Check out the Photon II lights. Small, light, tough, and bright as hell. I've been keeping one on my keys for a couple years and its very handy. Cheap (under $20 shipped) some places, and suprisingly good battery life; I usually get a year or more out of a pair of CR2016 batts.
 
I have been using mini mag lights[AA] since they first became available. If you put one down and it rolls and hits the floor, you will see failure within the next couple of uses and will need to replace the bulb. [This is my personal experience.] The mini mag does have a switch, you activate it every time you twist the head to turn the unit off or on. The switch seldom fails, I ran my last one for over eight years before replacing the entire flashlight. Understand that a new mini mag will only cost you $8-11 dollars, so it does not make any economical sense to repair. I have upgraded ALL my mini mags to LED and would never go back. Battery life doubles, triples even. The LED is shock proof so those rolls off the table have zero effect. The lighting is much improved as well as the reliability. To answer Hotrod's question, I have had a mini mag go out, but it has always been the bulb. You might want to check all contact points, tail and head and use good quality batteries. Duracell or Energizer. Oh yeah, and convert to LED:thumbup:
 
lotoblades said:
I've grown to like the dorcy led lights from wallmart.
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:thumbup:
Ditto. I grabbed the AAA Dorcy "fisheye" to stuff in my sheath pouch PSK, and I couldn't get over the light that little bastige pumps out. It ain't gonna light up a 500 lb. furball assailant at 50 yards, but it's plenty good for supplying some short range illumination in a pinch. Wa-a-a-ay better than my old mini-mag.
 
I've gone thru tons of them. Finally gave up on them. The main thing has broke on me is the switches. And it's good they have a space for an extra bulb cause you need them!
 
sherlockbonez said:
My friend's parents owns the company that makes all the Dorcy flashlights!! I'll let him know that there's a happy customer out there!

Sorry can't comment on the maglites as I have long switches to a Petzal headlamp/ surefire G2.
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Pass along another Thanks for the Dorcy's... I have one and have recommended them numerous times to anyone needed an inexpensive light.
 
I just got a 3xAA mag led, my first real led light.
Its a lot bigger then my 2xAAA mini mag, but I think also a lot better.
Look at felinevet's stuff at sosak online, I got it along with a matching blue alox farmer SAK, good deals and service.
Go with led, you wont be dissapointed.
 
Yup. My first taste of LED's was in the Photon II light. Its excellent and always there on my keys, great batt life and brightness. So I wanted these advantages for my minimag. First try was the Nite-ize. A lot of people hate those, I think they are a nice little unit, and cheap. But no real beam just a bright flood. Now I have an MJLED and its a whole lot better. Supposed to have absolutely amazing run times also, I'm looking forward to giving it a real try-out later on this year when all the snow melts and I can take it into the woods at night.
 
I had the same problem and honestly I don't know why...I wound up buying a Surefire as a result.
 
I've had the same mini Mag for about 6 years, still works great. The bulbs don't last too long though, i find. I haven't had any problems with my 3 D cell, but i've only had it for a year or two.
 
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