lights, on, or off?

[playmaker3737]

hey sum ppl say u should leave ur headlights on when u ride , then turn them off when ur finished rideing, if this is true, y is it? thanks riders:confused:

[fasterthanyouex]

i dont think it matters you arent hurting anything....your not draining the battery.. cuz your ingnition switch isnt on...i leave my light on all the time..one less thing to worry bout ..turning on and off

[Texastacoma]

Is it a safety issue, or for quad maintenance? I guess from a safetly aspect, it makes sense for everyone to ride with their headlight on. It would make you easier to see in.

[EXtremeEXer50]

i used to ride with mine on and the bulbs got so hott that when i jumped it broke the things inside the bulb that creat the light...got new ones for free from warranty but taht s what they say happened. also after that my battery went dead have the lights is what charges ur battery

[fasterthanyouex]

lights do not charge your battery..

[EvilJester400EX]

It helps with the re-charging process.

[fasterthanyouex]

hmm i didnt know this ..not being a jerk but how does it help recharge it...thanks

[jshtex]

On the yfz when it see's the load of the lights it actually puts more power to the battery. Normally when the lights are off the fan coming on can actually cause the battery to drain, resulting in a dead battery.

Also, it seems, some bike run better when the lights are on because of this increase in power.

Now it doesn't affect all of them, for instance we haven't ever even had our lights mounted and we don't have battery problems.

[Splatter Matter]

maybe this will help

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:06 pm Post subject: YFZ450 YAMAHA TECH UPDATES

Unique Charging System Characteristics - Yfz450
The YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights in the
ON position. Under some conditions (e.g., low
speed with cooling fan running frequently or
continuous high rpm riding), it may be necessary
to ride with the headlights in the ON position
continuously to maintain a fully charged
battery.
If a customer complains of the battery discharging
while riding, first check the condition
of the battery.
NOTE: If improperly charged or boost charged,
these compact batteries could overheat and
become permanently damaged. To prevent
overheating, charge the battery using a low
output charger (e.g., Optimate III, ACCOPTIM-
AT-E3), and test the battery to make
sure it is in good condition. Next, Check the
output of the charging system.
To avoid mis-diagnosis, follow these procedures
and specifications in the order below:
1. Minimum key off (battery voltage must be
12.80 VDC).
• Voltage too low: recharge and load test
the battery.
2. Measure the battery voltage at idle. *It
should be 14.0 ~ 14.9 VDC before the cooling
fan starts to cycle ON and OFF.
• Voltage too low: check the stator coil
resistance. The correct specifications
are:
– Yellow to Ground = 0.22 ~ 0.60 ohms
– White to Ground = 0.29 ~ 0.84 ohms
– Out of Spec: replace stator assembly
• Voltage is too high: check wire continuity
(particularly the black wire which
should have continuity between the
Ground). The Yellow/Red wire should
have continuity between the lighting
coil and the regulator.
NOTE: If continuity checks good, replace the
regulator assembly. (Commonly, both headlights
are burned if the regulator has failed.)
• Voltage Okay:
–
–
–
NOTE: Do not check the battery voltage at
5000 rpm as explained in the Service Manual.
Charging output will decrease as rpm increases.
This is a normal characteristic of this
model.
*Since the system normally discharges anytime
the cooling fan is ON, all testing must be
done before the fan starts to cycle on and off.
Otherwise, the maximum measurable battery
voltage will be lower than 14.0 VDC.
SUBJECTS: 1. Unique Charging System Characteristics - YFZ450
2. Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
3. YFZ450 Resistor Kit Installation Instructions

Check the radiator for blockage and
correct as required.
Advise the customer to use the key
switch to turn the engine off. Only
use the engine switch (on the handle
bar) in an emergency.
Advise the customer to switch the
headlights ON to increase the charging
output.
Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
Symptom:
As explained in the previous subject (page 1),
the YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights
switched to the ON position. If the headlights
are removed for competition use, the unit may
experience battery discharging.
Remedy:
Install the YFZ450 Resistor Kit. The kit contains
a ceramic resistor which takes the place
of the headlights to maximize the charging
rate, plus it provides a higher temperature fan
thermoswitch to minimize current draw. The switch is
located sitting on the bike the upper right switch
NOTE: This higher temperature is still low
enough to not cause engine overheating.
The kit is optional for competition use and warranty
does not apply. The kit was developed to
allow maximum charging and reduce battery
load.

[fasterthanyouex]

hmm im not getting it ill have it explained to me one day in person. ill take your word that it charges

[JRP]

Originally posted by Splatter Matter
maybe this will help

Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 1:06 pm Post subject: YFZ450 YAMAHA TECH UPDATES

Unique Charging System Characteristics - Yfz450
The YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights in the
ON position. Under some conditions (e.g., low
speed with cooling fan running frequently or
continuous high rpm riding), it may be necessary
to ride with the headlights in the ON position
continuously to maintain a fully charged
battery.
If a customer complains of the battery discharging
while riding, first check the condition
of the battery.
NOTE: If improperly charged or boost charged,
these compact batteries could overheat and
become permanently damaged. To prevent
overheating, charge the battery using a low
output charger (e.g., Optimate III, ACCOPTIM-
AT-E3), and test the battery to make
sure it is in good condition. Next, Check the
output of the charging system.
To avoid mis-diagnosis, follow these procedures
and specifications in the order below:
1. Minimum key off (battery voltage must be
12.80 VDC).
• Voltage too low: recharge and load test
the battery.
2. Measure the battery voltage at idle. *It
should be 14.0 ~ 14.9 VDC before the cooling
fan starts to cycle ON and OFF.
• Voltage too low: check the stator coil
resistance. The correct specifications
are:
– Yellow to Ground = 0.22 ~ 0.60 ohms
– White to Ground = 0.29 ~ 0.84 ohms
– Out of Spec: replace stator assembly
• Voltage is too high: check wire continuity
(particularly the black wire which
should have continuity between the
Ground). The Yellow/Red wire should
have continuity between the lighting
coil and the regulator.
NOTE: If continuity checks good, replace the
regulator assembly. (Commonly, both headlights
are burned if the regulator has failed.)
• Voltage Okay:
–
–
–
NOTE: Do not check the battery voltage at
5000 rpm as explained in the Service Manual.
Charging output will decrease as rpm increases.
This is a normal characteristic of this
model.
*Since the system normally discharges anytime
the cooling fan is ON, all testing must be
done before the fan starts to cycle on and off.
Otherwise, the maximum measurable battery
voltage will be lower than 14.0 VDC.
SUBJECTS: 1. Unique Charging System Characteristics - YFZ450
2. Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
3. YFZ450 Resistor Kit Installation Instructions

Check the radiator for blockage and
correct as required.
Advise the customer to use the key
switch to turn the engine off. Only
use the engine switch (on the handle
bar) in an emergency.
Advise the customer to switch the
headlights ON to increase the charging
output.
Introducing YFZ450 Charging System Resistor Kit -
Resistor Kit for Competition Usage
Symptom:
As explained in the previous subject (page 1),
the YFZ450 Charging System is designed to
supply at low to medium engine rpm a maximum
charging rate with the headlights
switched to the ON position. If the headlights
are removed for competition use, the unit may
experience battery discharging.
Remedy:
Install the YFZ450 Resistor Kit. The kit contains
a ceramic resistor which takes the place
of the headlights to maximize the charging
rate, plus it provides a higher temperature fan
thermoswitch to minimize current draw. The switch is
located sitting on the bike the upper right switch
NOTE: This higher temperature is still low
enough to not cause engine overheating.
The kit is optional for competition use and warranty
does not apply. The kit was developed to
allow maximum charging and reduce battery
load.

agreed