Modern Vespa

I apologize because I know this has been answered, but the search function in the forum seems broken for now...

My headlamp has gone out in my 2019 LT 500 ie Sport.

I am looking to replace with an LED bulb, so I have 2 questions:

1. Anyone has used an LED bulb successfully, I seem to recall it was an Osram bulb that Sbaert recommended.

2. Is it a big pain to replace headbulbs?

Yes, I am still running the same Osram bulb H7 Gen2 bulb.

No problems. Biggest part is the install since you need to remove the nose of the bike to get to the light assembly.

Note: The Osram I posted about is still the only LED that fits inside the housing AND can accommodate the factory Piaggio rubber boot. There are no fans or abnormal sizing to complicate the install.

https://www.osram.com/ecat/LEDriving%20HL%20H7%20Gen2-LEDriving%20HL-LED%20high%20and%20low%20beam%20lamps-Car%20lighting-Automotive/com/en/GPS01_3143582/ZMP_4059095/

Thank you so much, sbaert., truly appreciated. I think you also mentioned the high beam doesn't work properly after the conversion?

Correct, you can only install the LED in the low beam since Piaggio uses a proprietary and funky connector with integrated locking tab for the high beam.

High beam still works fine with the stock halogen bulb in the high beam socket.

However, I've never had the need to use high beam anymore once I had the LED in the low beam socket.

Amazon has the best price on the Osram LED kits.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/67210CW-LEDriving%C2%AE-l%C3%A1mparas-todoterreno-plegable/dp/B07P5NRV1K/ref=sr_1_9?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3AMFNXMM580FG&keywords=osram%2Bh7%2Bled&qid=1650996695&sprefix=osram%2Bh7%2Bled%2Caps%2C293&sr=8-9&th=1

I put LED bulbs in both (in my 2013 500) and also wired it so full beam gives both bulbs. Just rode home just now in the dark and can see perfectly which is great.

Does the power usage of the bulbs have any real effect on the bikes performance or accessories?

Is there a special procedure for installing the OSRAM LED bulbs? Those have little prongs to connect vs fixed base plugs of traditional bulbs. It looks like we would just slot the little paddles into the appropriate terminal of the bulb-sockets that the traditional bulb would have plugged into. Do the little paddles need anything special to hold them in the plug slots?

The Philips H7 X-tremeVision currently installed uses about 55 Watts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZKIZ0U/

The OSRAM 67210CW LEDriving HL Gen2, H7 uses 14 Watts
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P5NRV1K

Would the reduced electrical load of the LED help improve fuel economy or power? My guess is any change would be negligible in relation to engine loading and performance.

Would 41 watts freed up by switching to LED then be available to power fancier accessories (USB plugs, heated gear) without disrupting the bikes ability to charge the battery?

The current bulbs are very bright and work perfectly fine with allot of life left in them. The LED bulbs are tempting but I can only really justify a swap if there is some secondary benefit beyond "LED is cool"

The biggest benefit for the OSRAM LED upgrade is durability and reliability.

With halogens, I was replacing bulbs 2-3 times year. And considerinf the pain to gwt ro the bulbs I wanted a real long term fix.

And yes, I did try a Chinese LED kit that was almost as expensive as the osram kit That lasted about 30 days before burning out.

Is the MP3 Alternator AC-Single or AC 3-phase?

41 Watts at 12 Volts AC-Single is 3.42 Amps vs 1.97 Amps if 3-phase. (41 Watts is the difference between regular 55 Watts bulbs and the LED at 14 Watts)

Right now my Mp3 is running the following major electrical loads
* The Philips H7 use 55 Watts at 12 Volts is 4.58 Amps just for headlights
* Heated Gloves at 22 Watts at 12 Volts is 2 Amps (seasonal)
* Upgraded USB Plug for phone is 3 Amps output
* Battery is a 12V NOCO Lithium NLP14 500A capacity (saves 8 pounds weight)

Switching to the OSRAM 67210C
* Uses 14 Watts (1.2 Amps AC-Single or 0.68 Amps 3-phase)
* Reduced electrical load on bikes Alternator frees up Amps for accessories
* Increased durability and lifespan of the bulbs
* Very bright light output vs conventional bulbs
* Lower temperature within the enclosed (unventilated) headlight housing

Based on these benefits I'll buy the OSRAM 67210C ahead of my next major MP3 Road Trip. The bike runs fine as-is with regular headlights and does not have any electrical load issues or battery charging problems that I'm aware of. But the extra amperage available for accessories, battery charging, and reduced temperature inside the headlight housing will last longer as we get into the hotter summer months.

200% agree - that is a huge benefit. And often better quality light, too.

Changing bulbs is such a hassle, I'd rather do it as infrequently as possible.

Just read their install guide, and it seems intelligently done to fit into compact environments... basically it seems to separate into 2 module, the "fitting clip" (sits the same as a regular bulb) and the cooling housing w/ bulb - and you reattach them. And yes, the cabling then attached to the standard cable that would connect directly to a regular bulb otherwise.

I am doing this. Thanks team!

UPDATE: I realized there was already an answer on this from here front lights on MP3 500 HPE 2021

The answer is only the low-beam running light can be fully LED bulb. But if I want to retain the LED for both low and high beam?

How to secure the high-beam LED despite the proprietary locking mechanism?

I ended up using high-temperature tolerant material to push and hold it into the housing where the regular bulb would have gone. Its not perfect but it looks like its holding the LED bulb steady and prevents rattling of the wires in the housing.

HUH? so your saying piaggio has a bulb that can only be sourced thru piaggio for the high beam.

Any standard plug type bulb can be used, its just the locking mechanism that holds it in place for the high beam is not standard. Its a weird twist n lock base with an end cap. The current plug type Philips H7 bulbs fit it just fine, but not the LED due to the large heatsink base not fitting with the screw cap mounting system.

The low beam uses a clip that is compatible with the LED base heatsink and mounting system.

Thanks for all the info - I just completed the Osram LED install on my MP3 500 and everything works fine.

The one complication being that, since several 2019 "MP3 LT 500ie Sport Business ABS-ASR" sold in California are a mish-mash of parts with the next gen HPE mode, the booklet instructions were only partially correct, and for the rest I had to look elsewhere, and one thing I had to find out on my own (luckily not too complex). I was cursing Piaggio half-way through... the way to free up the lower front is quite different, and there were 2 extra screws that weren't documented elsewhere.

Given the manual inaccuracies I found myself praying that they hadn't changed the bulb spec, only to find out once I had everything disassembled...

But once you have it all taken apart, it's pretty logical and easy.

I did not take on the high beam, though, left it well alone. Maybe if the high beam burns out and i feel like I need it, I'll give pinhead a call. I should have taken a few pics while things were off and thought about it, maybe it's possible to glue on a regular mount or something... why Piagio designed the high beam that way... oh well...