The Supernova M99 Pro 2 is currently the brightest ebike light on the market that is approved in accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). With its enormous luminosity and impressive high beam, it sets new standards in terms of safety and visibility. In this tutorial, you will learn step by step how to retrofit this high-end light to your ebike.
1. Preparing the ebike for installation of the Supernova M99 Pro 2
2. Parts required for installation
3. Step-by-step instructions for mounting the light
4. What happens if you select the wrong mode?
1. Preparing the ebike for installation of the Supernova M99 Pro 2
Before you start working on the electronics, you should always remove the battery from your ebike for safety reasons. This not only protects the sensitive system components, but also often creates the necessary space to lay the new cables without any obstacles. The next step is to remove the motor cover to gain access to the ports. Before installing the new M99 Pro 2, the old lighting system must be completely removed. Please note that many manufacturers originally operate the front and tail lights via a common port. However, due to the high power consumption of the Supernova, we strongly recommend operating the front light exclusively via the designated light port and connecting the tail light separately.
Please note that when removing the old system, the new front light must be operated exclusively on its own connection on the engine for optimum performance.
To establish a stable and durable connection to the motor, the cable ends must be professionally prepared. After you have shortened the cables to the correct length and carefully stripped them, attach flat plug sleeves to the ends and crimp them carefully. After connecting the sleeves, it is important to provide the connection with protective insulation to permanently protect it from moisture and corrosion. If you prefer a quicker method, you can alternatively use scotch-lock connectors, where the wires are simply inserted and pressed together.
By precisely crimping the sleeves and then applying waterproof insulation, you create a professional connection to the motor that is permanently protected against corrosion.
2. Parts required for installation
You will need the following parts to install the Supernova M99 Pro 2:
- Handlebar mount – we use the Supernova Universal HBM mount
- Supernova Power Boost Connector
- Supernova Power Connector cable
- Bosch light cable rear light for Smart System
- Bosch additional power cable for accessories – Smart System
- Crimping pliers
- Screwdriver
3. Step-by-step instructions for mounting the light
Installing the Supernova M99 Pro 2
Once the cables are prepared, the components can be installed. Start with the lamp mount on the handlebars. In our case, this is the universal handlebar mount from Supernova. Feel free to attach the high beam switch to the handlebars as well. Choose a position that you can easily reach while riding. By temporarily positioning the lamp, you can accurately estimate the cable lengths required in the upper area of the ebike.
Connecting the lamp
The Supernova M99 Pro 2 has a technical feature that sets it apart from conventional headlights: It requires two separate power cables to be connected to the motor. In addition to the regular light cable, a second cable must be routed from the motor to the lamp and connected via the Power Boost Connector. Only with this dual power supply the lamp can achieve its maximum performance in high beam mode. It is better to use the motor’s low power port (LPP) for this second connection. If this port is already occupied by a speed sensor, the high power port (HPP) can be used instead. Supernova does not supply a ready-made cable for this. Therefore, combine an open power connector cable with an open Bosch HPP cable. If this port is already occupied as well, for example by an ABS system, this video shows you how to create new HPP ports on the Bosch Smart System.
Once all the cables have been laid, the components are neatly stowed away under the motor cover again. Make sure that no cables are pinched before closing the cover and reinserting the battery.
One critical point during installation is the space behind the lamp: The angled plugs must be at least three millimetres away from other components to allow sufficient ventilation and prevent heat damage. Secure unused ports on the rear of the housing with the enclosed plugs to prevent water ingress. The existing accessory ports for functions such as handle heating are currently reserved for future expansions.
Programming the lamp
Before taking the new lighting system for a test ride, the Supernova M99 Pro 2 requires one-time programming. Since different drive systems deliver different power ratings – in our example, we are using the Bosch Performance Line CX motor with the Smart System – the lamp must be precisely tuned to these power settings. To start programming, press and hold the high beam button and switch on your ebike at the same time. You can tell that you are successfully in maintenance mode by the flashing status LED directly on the lamp. Now you can select the appropriate mode based on your motor and the desired lighting type. For most ebikes with the Bosch Smart System, the green mode, which operates without a brake light function, is the right choice. By briefly pressing the high beam button, you can switch between the available colour modes until the desired setting is reached. A long press confirms your selection and finally activates the light.
Available light modes of the headlight
The Supernova M99 Pro 2 offers a total of five specific light modes:
- Green mode: ebikes with Bosch Smart System, Bosch drives, Giant SyncDrive motors
- Blue mode: Giant and Bosch systems with integrated tail light and brake light function
- Yellow mode: Shimano EP8, motors from TQ and Brose
- Red mode: Brose motors, Neodrives systems
- Purple mode: use with Supernova B54 battery pack
Once you have saved the correct mode for your system by pressing and holding the button, the light is ready for use.
4. What happens if the wrong mode is selected?
With Bosch motors in particular, the system may shut down completely if the maximum permitted power is exceeded in the wrong mode. In such a situation, the ebike must be restarted. The Supernova M99 Pro 2 also gives you direct visual feedback and flashes red. This problem often occurs when the LPP or HPP connections on the motor are physically connected but have not yet been activated by a specialist dealer in terms of software. Therefore, make sure that all ports are correctly configured and activated.
Configuring Supernova M99 Pro 2 for starting with the ebike
For everyday use, you can choose from three configuration options for how the lamp reacts when you switch on the ebike. You can access the selection by pressing and holding the high beam button for ten seconds when switching on the ebike. The front headlight will then go out. Continue to hold the button until the small status LED on the back of the housing starts to flash. Once in the menu, you can set the start behaviour as follows:
- Green mode: lamp starting automatically with daytime running lights
- Red mode: lamp starting automatically without daytime running lights
- Yellow mode: manual control, lamp only starting after briefly pressing the high beam switch
Regardless of which mode you have selected for start-up, the high beam can be switched on at any time using the button, or the lamp can be switched off manually by pressing and holding the button.
Pictures: Supernova Design GmbH, Elektrofahrrad24 GmbH