I imagine this has been done before, but in our lockdown interlude I was inspired by various posts to have a go at a Duo conversion with an old one I had. We were already using several Duo inserts on Explorer helmets, but I am very reluctant to mess with them, so are using AA?s. Unless you commit to changing out cells on a longer trip, it?s a little difficult to use the full capability of the Custom Duo V42 - specifically running on full flood all the time.
I gutted it and put on another helmet. As you can see I moved the cable entry to one side. It is driving the warm-white version of the V42, as I also do in my Scurion. Being more used to carbide I suppose.
I started by making a twin 18650 (6800mA.hr), which had a few trips. However, it?s rather cruel to the 20 year old plastic around the lid and seal as it is too tall. Probably it would be OK, but it offends my engineering purity.
I then made a triple 18500 (6000mA.hr) as shown. This works pretty well and fits nicely. I also made a single 18650 as a spare because that can lie diagonally and not interfere with the lid.
I reckon you can make the whole thing including helmet and insert for about ?140 with some judicious Ebaying, and you end up with a very decent light for the money.
I gutted it and put on another helmet. As you can see I moved the cable entry to one side. It is driving the warm-white version of the V42, as I also do in my Scurion. Being more used to carbide I suppose.
I started by making a twin 18650 (6800mA.hr), which had a few trips. However, it?s rather cruel to the 20 year old plastic around the lid and seal as it is too tall. Probably it would be OK, but it offends my engineering purity.
I then made a triple 18500 (6000mA.hr) as shown. This works pretty well and fits nicely. I also made a single 18650 as a spare because that can lie diagonally and not interfere with the lid.
I reckon you can make the whole thing including helmet and insert for about ?140 with some judicious Ebaying, and you end up with a very decent light for the money.