Supernova Dyno Lights Confusion

[Lovetoclimb]

Many months ago I bought a set of NIB lights here, and only recently installed them on the bike with a dyno wheel. The front works great but despite check and re-checking the rear, I get nothing. I am about to buy a new rear as that is the cheaper component to verify as bad, but before I do, I’m wondering if I wasn’t sold a front and rear light for a 12V system instead of the 6V that my front wheel dyno is for...

On my front light the only info I can find is a sine wave and K730 engraved.

On the rear light I have a sine wave and K937 along with what seems to be a part number: TS28S 00081

I’m curious if I was just sold a bad light out of the box or if something was mixed up in the packaging? Anyone familiar with the Supernova stuff please weigh in...

(Edit - SP hub)

Hoping I can find a friend with the same lights and quick disconnects so I can troubleshoot.

[SlowPokePete]

I'm not quite sure what lights you have, but my Supernova front and rear...

rear light needs to be connected properly ie positive to positive, negative to negative.

SPP

[Lovetoclimb]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

I'm not quite sure what lights you have, but my Supernova front and rear...

rear light needs to be connected properly ie positive to positive, negative to negative.

SPP

Yes should clarify: front is an E3 Pro 2, rear is an E3 Taillight

So the front has the 2 black wires going to the dyno, and red + blue wires from the other side which mate to the red + blue wires of the taillight. Would seem idiot proof hence my conundrum.

[weisan]

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/supernova.php

[cp43]

Do you have a multi-meter? If so, check the voltage coming out of the head light on the taillight wires. It could be a bad internal component of the headlight putting out incorrect voltage.

[unterhausen]

I feel like you have the front light wired backwards, probably at the hub.

[SlowPokePete]

Pretty sure the wiring at the hub can be done both ways polarity-wise.

It's the rear that matters.

Also, make sure that the connectors for the rear are not touching each other as this will also keep it from working...there needs to be insulation between them.

SPP

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Pretty sure the wiring at the hub can be done both ways polarity-wise.
It's the rear that matters.

Nope, but it's the rear that makes the front wiring matter in most cases. It all should be done right way around anyway. Try taking the rear off the bike (still wired) and see if it works.

OP didn't say what brand hub.

[SlowPokePete]

My SON28 hub does not care how I hook up the wires from my Supernova front headlight.

I can reverse them and it still runs.

From the Internets...

"The Supernova E3 Pro headlight converts AC (alternating current) from the hub dynamo into DC (direct current) for the LEDs. The output from the E3 Pro headlight to the taillight (red & blue wires) is also DC."

In which case I do not think it matters what dynamo hub is being used.

Also here ... https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/supernova.php

SPP

[Geeheeb]

I can't really offer anything other than I had the same problem but waited too long to file a warranty claim.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

My SON28 hub does not care how I hook up the wires from my Supernova front headlight.

SPP

Do you believe everything you see on the internet?

If it's a Shimano hub, one side is connected to the frame. If the rear light has one side connected to the frame, it's not gonna work if it's wired backwards.

Just because it might work doesn't mean it's a particularly good idea. If you search the internet more carefully, you will find people with problems like the OP is having often trace the issue back to something in the system being wired backwards.

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

Do you believe everything you see on the internet?

I believe what I see happen in front of my eyes.

I have two bikes with dynamos.

Both have SON 28 hubs with Supernova lights.

What I describe is exactly what happens on my two bikes.

Not trying to argue with you...but this is exactly how mine work.

That is all.

SPP

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

Do you believe everything you see on the internet?

then...

Originally Posted by unterhausen

If you search the internet

Yeah.

SPP

[Lovetoclimb]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Pretty sure the wiring at the hub can be done both ways polarity-wise.

It's the rear that matters.

Also, make sure that the connectors for the rear are not touching each other as this will also keep it from working...there needs to be insulation between them.

SPP

Okay maybe I need to verify the gold quick disconnects are not touching. That would definitely be an easy issue to rule out ... more after I test tonight

[Lovetoclimb]

For those keeping track, it was in fact that the wire junctions and their metal connectors (mechanic used some generic silver crimps, I replaced with the gold quick disconnects) were making contact and causing a short circuit. My electrician father would be disappointed that it took me so long to figure that out.

Many thanks for the support from PL crew yet again.