Locking out Mini Maglite twist head switch

Clang! · Jul 29, 2013

I've got an old Mini Maglite incandescent retrofitted with a 1/2 watt LED and a tail cap pushbutton switch. I've found that I prefer the tail cap switch over the original Maglite twist head switch. The problem is with two on/off switches; both have to be on for it to work.

Is there any way to lock out or bypass the original twist head switch so the flashlight relies solely on the tail cap switch? I need the adjustable focus, so locking the head in position is not an option.

TIA

Grease · Jul 29, 2013

I fail to see the issue. Give it a full 360* twist, adjust focus from there, and use the tailcap to turn it on and off. If you're already spinning the head to adjust focus, there's no point in trying to turn off that method of activation. Your tailcap works, so why do extra work for no benefit? Or do you plan on un-focusing it after each use by turning the head all the way back?

Clang! · Jul 30, 2013

Grease said:
I fail to see the issue. Give it a full 360* twist, adjust focus from there, and use the tailcap to turn it on and off. If you're already spinning the head to adjust focus, there's no point in trying to turn off that method of activation. Your tailcap works, so why do extra work for no benefit? Or do you plan on un-focusing it after each use by turning the head all the way back?

A full 360 twist will remove the head. The LED upgrade (Nite Ize LUC2-7) took up a lot of room and there's only enough left for a single flood to spot cycle. The focus varies for task to task, and I don't always remember which method I used to turn it off last time, hence trying to bypass the rotary switch.

Bellasdaddy · Jul 30, 2013

Might be time for a new flashlight if you are looking for features that the mini-mag does not have.

Grease · Jul 30, 2013

That makes a lot more sense... Well, I can't be of help there, but you might try posting this in the candle power forums. They're the flashlight version of bladeforums, and someone over there is bound to have tried this before. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forum.php

Bellasdaddy said:
Might be time for a new flashlight if you are looking for features that the mini-mag does not have.

I'd disagree. The one thing Maglites have that no one else does is a phenomenal flood-to-throw zoom, with a longer throw distance for their output than pretty much any other light. You set any light with similar lumen output next to a maglite and shine them out a few hundred feet, and the maglite leaves you wondering where the other light went. And they cost like $15-20, too...

Echo63 · Jul 31, 2013

A bit of teflon or ptfe plumbers tape will stiffen up the head significantly
You may need to replace it after a while - but will work.
If you just want to lock out the head switch (and its an old incandescent minimag with a led kit)
You can make a shim to fit under the switch
This will require removing the bit that says "do not remove" and replacing it with a shim underneath to pull it forward, so the switch makes contact permanantley

Clang! · Aug 1, 2013

Echo63 said:
A bit of teflon or ptfe plumbers tape will stiffen up the head significantly
You may need to replace it after a while - but will work.
If you just want to lock out the head switch (and its an old incandescent minimag with a led kit)
You can make a shim to fit under the switchThis will require removing the bit that says "do not remove" and replacing it with a shim underneath to pull it forward, so the switch makes contact permanantley

That's what I did. I took a lightweight paperclip, formed it into a coil by wrapping it around an AAA battery, and snipped off a turn to make a shim. It's slightly thicker (eyeballing it about .010") then the space below the switch flange and the flashlight body. Works like a charm and it easily removable if needed. The only difference is I can't focus quite as wide as I use to.

SuzukiGS750EZ · Aug 1, 2013

I have a mini mag with a terra lux tle-5ex upgrade as well as a nite-ize IQ switch. I keep the flashlight head where i want it and use the tail cap to turn it off and on. On any adjustable beam light, you need to touch the head anyways. So is this how yours works, or do you need to turn the head as well as the cap to turn off? Sounds counter productive to me. Using a clicky tail cap does add resistance though, so it does reduce your light output somewhat.