I have it mounted upside down, and it's worked fine for years. After a recent week of daily riding in heavy rain, water entered (my fault, of course) and there now is brown corrosion visible through and on the front lens. It still works, and I'm tempted to leave it alone, but I also wonder if I should attempt to remove the front housing (apparently it simply unscrews) and try cleaning it out with contact cleaner or somesuch. (The argument against it is that I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing and could easily mess something up through ignorance.)

Thoughts?

One way or the other, you'll eventually need another light to replace it. If tinkering is your thing, then tinker with it. If not, then just replace it or be ready to replace when it gives it's last. No need to struggle with whether there is a right or wrong.

You might want to change the mounting to be right side up. If you have it mounted where tire spray can throw a lot of water at the back and bottom of the light, that could also be a problem.

I have never used a Supernova, but I have had some problems with water ingress in some Spaninga and B&M lights. I am beginning to think that dyno powered lights have a limited lifespan if used in the rain. I recently started a thread with a similar question:
B&M IQ-XS Headlamp, flickers and no stand light.
In that case, I eventually bought another to have on hand for when the problematic one dies.

In your case, it still works and might not get worse.

Unfortunately, it's already started to act up, so I guess it's time for a replacement. It's too bad; I liked the Triple, and there's no direct replacement.

I did know at the time that the USD mount wasn't a great idea. I'd planned to seal the wires but never got around to it, so I'm the idiot. C'est la vie.

Not sure if you have any specific desire to stay with Supernova or not. But if you ever plan to use a taillight, it is my understanding that Supernova lights work best with Supernova taillights. And Supernova taillights do not work with other brands.

But other headlight brands are easier to mix with other brand taillights. I have a Spaninga taillight with a B&M headlight on two bikes. And have a XLC taillight with a B&M headlight on another bike.

Peter White website has more info on brand compatibilities.

a number of years ago, I fixed a fellow's Supernova E3 Triple... at least that's what I think it was.
The rear of the housing wasn't hard to unscrew, which should allow you to drain any water and inspect the circuit boards.





Steve in Peoria

Thanks all. I am electrically "challenged" at best. I'm fairly sure I came across Steelbikeguy's extensive write-up on another forum, and understood nearly none of it.

As to compatibility, I'm pretty much stuck with Supernova. The lighting system is fully integrated into the frame. The wiring for the tailight runs inside the tubes, and the tailight mount itself was hand made just for that model. So the newest Supernova headlight model will supposedly be delivered today - and I got the one meant for upside down mounting this time...

Great.