Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Good flashlights to modify as bike lights?

The switches kept failing with my Lowe's Task Force 3C. After taking two back to the store, I finally decided to see if I could modify it to work as a bike light (my original use when I bought it).

I removed removed the battery tube and replaced it with a film canister. I hooked up a positive wire to the spring with an alligator clip and slid the film canister over the negative lead, lodging it between the body and the canister (I don't know how to solder). I ran both wires through a little hole I'd made in the back of the film canister and connected that to 2AA battery holder via a two prong plug.

Then I made it all nice and secure and tight with zip ties and sections of bicycle tube.

Later, I added the toggle switch.

When I get around to buying some C or D cells and a charger, I'm going to make a 2C or 2D pack to have more run time.

For the most part, it works pretty good. There have been some issues with the quality of the radio shack wires and connectors but the basic setup is good. 2 rechargeable AA batteries give me just over an hour of good light. This light is really good for the type of riding I do - dodging potholes at 20 mph on my daily 14 mile commute.

Now I'm wondering. What other flashlights work good for this type of modification? I hear about "drop in modules" and all kinds of different emitters. Are there things I can do to this light that will make it brighter?

Finally, any ideas to improve on my design? I'm sure that an alligator clip to the spring isn't the best method to connect the wire, but what is? And what better plugs are there to connect various battery packs to the light? I need something that I can easily swap battery packs because I like the versatility of being able to use different type cels And of course, everything needs to be secureable to my bike and fairly water resistant. (though dark and rain is a condition I generally avoid.)

Before ...

http://nordicgroup.us/s78/images/barbracketcree.jpg

After ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/3119445524_1759bb9b82.jpg?v=0

I thought doing something like this might being a good idea after viewing that thread on the Lowes vs the Home Depot Husky. The Husky has a nice output but I wouldn't be crazy about hanging something that big on my handlebars.

great idea. I bought the husky light and has excellent output for a commuting light. But its so damned big that I have not used it yet. I think I can easily modify it to work like this.
Thanks

I thought doing something like this might being a good idea after viewing that thread on the Lowes vs the Home Depot Husky. The Husky has a nice output but I wouldn't be crazy about hanging something that big on my handlebars.

I'm wondering about the Husky. If the head comes off like the Task Force, then hooking up some wires to whatever power source I desire would be easy and make one very good light. Even the 2C Task Force was a bit wobbly on my handlebars.

Also, what about taking an old D cell Mag Light, and fitting a 12v MR16 bulb into it? Granted, you'd probably need an SLA battery, but you'd also have some wicked light as well.

Here is a photo of a 2AA LED Mag-Lite I modified for use with an external battery pack.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/lights/batteryadaptor.jpg?t=1229700010
I used an old section of fibreglass tent pole and some brass washers to replace the two AA batteries.
I drilled a small hole in the tail cap to pass the wire through. Eventually this flashlight failed due to vibration.
I recently ordered a P7 "tactical" multi-mode flashlight from DX along with 18650 batteries, charger, and a bike clip for mounting it. This flashlight is designed to take the abuse of recoil when mounted on a firearm. Needless to say it's not going to shake apart when mounted on a bike. Run times with a single 18650 battery is very good in medium and exceptionally long in low mode. High mode runs about an hour but I got pulled over by a policeman and told it was too bright in high mode with traffic present. Medium is plenty bright enough anyway. Here is a photo of my set-up.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/lights/dsc00137.jpg?t=1229700521
Aurora AK-P7-5