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Lurker
Vespa ET3
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Location: Albania
 
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Vespa ET3
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Location: Albania
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Hello everyone. Ive been helped by this forum many many times before, reading other peoples issues and fixes. Now its my turn to ask for help Laughing emoticon
I have a 1979 vespa 50s, with an et3 engine.
The engine is new, wiring is new, bulbs were new..but since the first day i started it up, it kept blowing the pilot and tail bulbs. It seems to happen *only* when i rev or ride. When idle, it doesnt have any problems with the bulbs.

Do i need to put a regulator? Since the stator is giving too much electricity for the bulbs to handle...or i need just to up the wattage of the bulbs?

Currently i have a 15w tail light, and a 10 watt pilot light. Speedometer doesnt have any bulb in it, since is from a 50s.
@juan_orhea avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
S150 '09, Beo 500ie '08
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Location: Bermuda
 
Molto Verboso
@juan_orhea avatar
S150 '09, Beo 500ie '08
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Posts: 1594
Location: Bermuda
UTC quote
You are describing the effect of unregulated power on bulbs that are intended for DC. You might be able to solve the problem with higher-wattage bulbs, but the real answer is to use a regulator (rectifier).
@petercc avatar
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Molto Verboso
Piaggio Beverly 300 ie - 2012
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Location: Belgium
 
Molto Verboso
@petercc avatar
Piaggio Beverly 300 ie - 2012
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1645
Location: Belgium
UTC quote
Lupi wrote:
(...)
bulbs were new..but since the first day i started it up, it kept blowing the pilot and tail bulbs. It seems to happen *only* when i rev or ride. When idle, it doesnt have any problems with the bulbs.

Do i need to put a regulator? Since the stator is giving too much electricity for the bulbs to handle...or i need just to up the wattage of the bulbs?
(...)
Choosing higher wattage bulbs will not help. They are all designed for the same 12V operation.
Higher wattage will be brighter but life will be just as short.

If there is no voltage regulator, then I think that is what you need to add.

You can check if you need such a regulator. Measure what voltage you have when the engine is revving. Can be done with a simple standard voltage meter on the 2 poles of the battery or on the tail light or the head light.
With the engine off it should read 12 - 12,5V and with the engine revving (not idling) it should read 14 - 14,5V. If 16 or 18V then simply the voltage is too high and every bulb will fail within a short time without a regulator to limit the voltage.
@safis avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
1979 P150X, 1983 P200E, 1987 PK125XL Elestart, 1988 T5, 1995 PX200E, 2024 GTS 300
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Location: Veria, Greece
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@safis avatar
1979 P150X, 1983 P200E, 1987 PK125XL Elestart, 1988 T5, 1995 PX200E, 2024 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5395
Location: Veria, Greece
UTC quote
This should be moved to the Not So Modern...

No regulator, it's a balanced, AC system. Needs correct wattage of bulbs where they need to be and good, clean, ground points. Bigger wattage bulbs or a regulator just cover up the problem...
@birdsnest avatar
UTC

Not So Moderator
VNB VSC VSX Li150 09C C125 - (vmb vse v9b)
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Location: Hustletown, TX
 
Not So Moderator
@birdsnest avatar
VNB VSC VSX Li150 09C C125 - (vmb vse v9b)
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Location: Hustletown, TX
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Moved
OP
UTC

Lurker
Vespa ET3
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Posts: 3
Location: Albania
 
Lurker
Vespa ET3
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Location: Albania
UTC quote
PeterCC wrote:
Choosing higher wattage bulbs will not help. They are all designed for the same 12V operation.
Higher wattage will be brighter but life will be just as short.

If there is no voltage regulator, then I think that is what you need to add.

You can check if you need such a regulator. Measure what voltage you have when the engine is revving. Can be done with a simple standard voltage meter on the 2 poles of the battery or on the tail light or the head light.
With the engine off it should read 12 - 12,5V and with the engine revving (not idling) it should read 14 - 14,5V. If 16 or 18V then simply the voltage is too high and every bulb will fail within a short time without a regulator to limit the voltage.
The electrical system is 6v. I havent tried yet to put 12v bulbs, but i've read that it doesnt make any difference.
If i put a regulator, should i get a simple one just for the pilot-tail circuit? Or a normal 3 pin one
OP
UTC

Lurker
Vespa ET3
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Location: Albania
 
Lurker
Vespa ET3
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Location: Albania
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SaFiS wrote:
This should be moved to the Not So Modern...

No regulator, it's a balanced, AC system. Needs correct wattage of bulbs where they need to be and good, clean, ground points. Bigger wattage bulbs or a regulator just cover up the problem...
The wiring is new and i checked everything, its grounding clean and ok. But if i put bulbs as a ET3 needs, i'll be short on one bulb..the speedometer. My speedo doesnt have one, so i have to balance the current with the remaining ones.

I have to take my vespa to register it and get an historic license plate, and they need everything working as it should..especially lights Crying or Very sad emoticon

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