02 WR 426 w/ Airtime HID ?'s

[dustdogg]

I have been seriously thinking about improving my lighting on my trusty 426 and after a similiar thread popped up about about the newer 450's, I thought I would start a seperate one. With plans for a new WR 450 or CRF 450X in the next year or so, I would like to know know if it is even worthwhile to bother with an upgrade on the 426 for the time being. I know firsthand just how well the Airtime HID http://airtime-hid.com/ works after riding with several others running them. The problem for me is that all of them were on newer WR's, CRFX's and KTM's which already have a battery for the E-start.

Does anyone know what is needed to run the Airtime HID on this bike. The requirements for this light are similar to the Baja Designs Diablo. I already know I will have to add a small battery pack to power the light such as this: https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-120315/Battery%2c+Nicad+Wired .

My stock stator puts out 130W according to Baja Designs and cannot be rewound. This is suffecient to charge the battery but what about the regulator/rectifier? Does this need to be replaced? I need to be able to put out DC in order to charge the battery. This is where I'm confused. I know there are others who have made these mods. I just don't want to have to spend too much to run it or I will just wait until I get a new bike. The cost of the light itself is not an issue because I can move it on to the next bike. I just need to know the specific details for the older 426's and what is necessary when running an HID. Thanks.?

Edited March 23, 2011 by dustdogg

[123BigcoopDawg576]

I have been seriously thinking about improving my lighting on my trusty 426 and after a similiar thread popped about about the newer 450's, I thought I would start a seperate one. With plans for a new WR 450 or CRF 450X in the next year or so, I would like to know know if it is even worthwhile to bother with an upgrade on the 426 for the time being. I know firsthand just how well the Airtime HID http://airtime-hid.com/ works after riding with several others running them. The problem for me is that all of them were on newer WR's, CRFX's and KTM's which already have a battery for the E-start.

Does anyone know what is needed to run the Airtime HID on this bike. The requirements for this light are similar to the Baja Designs Diablo. I already know I will have to add a small battery pack to power the light such as this: https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-120315/Battery%2c+Nicad+Wired .

My stock stator puts out 130W according to Baja Designs and cannot be rewound. This is suffecient to charge the battery but what about the regulator/rectifier? Does this need to be replaced? I need to be able to put out DC in order to charge the battery. This is where I'm confused. I know there are others who have made these mods. I just don't want to have to spend too much to run it or I will just wait until I get a new bike. The cost of the light itself is not an issue because I can move it on to the next bike. I just need to know the specific details for the older 426's and what is necessary when running an HID. Thanks.?

Baja Designs says the 03+ WR450 with a floated ground is good for 120 watts yet after all the testing I've done, Ive found that to be false. The only way I could run dual hid's was to be at 10K rpms or upgrade the stator.

My buddy has a 426 and the stator has the same gage mag wire with less polls compared to the 03+ WR450 stator. I HIGHLY doubt it will run dual hid at the same time. It will however run a 55w hid no problem.

[dustdogg]

Baja Designs says the 03+ WR450 with a floated ground is good for 120 watts yet after all the testing I've done, Ive found that to be false. The only way I could run dual hid's was to be at 10K rpms or upgrade the stator.

My buddy has a 426 and the stator has the same gage mag wire with less polls compared to the 03+ WR450 stator. I HIGHLY doubt it will run dual hid at the same time. It will however run a 55w hid no problem.

Well, I was afraid this was going to be my answer. I talked to JAT about the requirements to run his light but he has not done one on a 426. He did say that he would recommend running 2 battery packs rather than 1 because my bike doesn't put the wattage out that some other bikes do. Basically, if it meets the requirements to run the BD Diablo then it will run the Airtime light but.........the Airtime HID has the option of Low, High or both and from what I understand the Diablo does not. Should I expect to be able to run it on either Low or High (but not both) without issues? I am OK with this as I have seen what this light can do on each setting and it is impressive. Much, much better than stock. I would like to be able to run this light and in the future swap it over to the next bike but if it is unrealistic to run this light on the 426 I may just wait:banghead:

I would also like to ask for a little more detail on how set it up, as long as it is possible. When I spoke with JAT he said the light would actually be running off of the battery(s) and the bike/stator would need to be able charge and keep up with the draw of the light. Once again I come back to the question of what else is needed regarding regulator/rectifier and how to connect it to the battery. It looks like the BD Diablo comes with a new regulator/rectifier if you select the option for kickstart only which for those that don't know includes the WR 426, XR 400, XR 650 etc. The Airtime HID does not come with this so do I need to purchase this from Baja Designs? Although I have ridden dirt bikes for most of my life, I have just recently become interested in night riding, so excuse me for asking so many questions. Thanks for the help and I look forward to hearing from those with lighting experience:thumbsup:

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Well, I was afraid this was going to be my answer. I talked to JAT about the requirements to run his light but he has not done one on a 426. He did say that he would recommend running 2 battery packs rather than 1 because my bike doesn't put the wattage out that some other bikes do. Basically, if it meets the requirements to run the BD Diablo then it will run the Airtime light but.........the Airtime HID has the option of Low, High or both and from what I understand the Diablo does not. Should I expect to be able to run it on either Low or High (but not both) without issues? I am OK with this as I have seen what this light can do on each setting and it is impressive. Much, much better than stock. I would like to be able to run this light and in the future swap it over to the next bike but if it is unrealistic to run this light on the 426 I may just wait:banghead:

I would also like to ask for a little more detail on how set it up, as long as it is possible. When I spoke with JAT he said the light would actually be running off of the battery(s) and the bike/stator would need to be able charge and keep up with the draw of the light. Once again I come back to the question of what else is needed regarding regulator/rectifier and how to connect it to the battery. It looks like the BD Diablo comes with a new regulator/rectifier if you select the option for kickstart only which for those that don't know includes the WR 426, XR 400, XR 650 etc. The Airtime HID does not come with this so do I need to purchase this from Baja Designs? Although I have ridden dirt bikes for most of my life, I have just recently become interested in night riding, so excuse me for asking so many questions. Thanks for the help and I look forward to hearing from those with lighting experience:thumbsup:

If you want to run any type of HID off a wr426, you will need float the ground on the stator, install a reg/rec that converts the raw ac power from the stator to DC which (like jat said) will charge the battery and the battery will power the hid. (these mods/parts are something you can buy from baja designs)

As for the two battery pack setup, I would dis-agree...My buddies 426 runs a single 35watt hid off the baja designs battery pack with zero issues. With that said, you can expect to run the airtime-hid on the low or the high with no issue...just not hi and low at the same time.

Also, I think the focus of power output from a stator should on how many amps it puts NOT the amount of watts....reason being, is the high out put stator I have in my bike is 'rated' at 100 watts and I can idle with 2 hids on at the same time and still charge the battery...compare that to the stock stator with a floated ground that is 'rated' for 120 watts yet I couldnt get the battery to charge until 3/4 throttle...

Lastly, does jat offer an upgrade option?...i.e sell you an airtime-hid with only a low beam option and then when you are ready (buy a newer bike) upgrade the light to the hi/low option?

[dustdogg]

If you want to run any type of HID off a wr426, you will need float the ground on the stator, install a reg/rec that converts the raw ac power from the stator to DC which (like jat said) will charge the battery and the battery will power the hid. (these mods/parts are something you can buy from baja designs)

As for the two battery pack setup, I would dis-agree...My buddies 426 runs a single 35watt hid off the baja designs battery pack with zero issues. With that said, you can expect to run the airtime-hid on the low or the high with no issue...just not hi and low at the same time.

Also, I think the focus of power output from a stator should on how many amps it puts NOT the amount of watts....reason being, is the high out put stator I have in my bike is 'rated' at 100 watts and I can idle with 2 hids on at the same time and still charge the battery...compare that to the stock stator with a floated ground that is 'rated' for 120 watts yet I couldnt get the battery to charge until 3/4 throttle...

Lastly, does jat offer an upgrade option?...i.e sell you an airtime-hid with only a low beam option and then when you are ready (buy a newer bike) upgrade the light to the hi/low option?

I think the reason behind running 2 battery packs was to be able to run both high and low together, although JAT did mention that he could not confirm this setup because the only Yamahas that he has worked with were the newer 03+ models. He did say that at idle or slow speeds that it would start to drain the battery because as we all know the stator would not be able to keep up with the draw.

I did call BD and ask them what was needed to run the Diablo and they said the light and the battery is it. I did not mention the airtime light, but is seems the only difference would be that I would need the regulator/rectifier for the airtime while the Diablo would include it if the kickstart model is chosen. Does this look like the right one? https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-122004/Regulator%2frectifier%2c+(dc)+(wired)

I did look at the Baja Designs, Trailtech and Ricky Stator websites and could not find any specific information regarding the 426 stator. Everything was for 03+. I understand that the 400/426 models are getting up there in age and the lack of support for these models shows. This is why I may just hold off and make the upgrades to a newer bike. If I can make it work with just the light, battery and regulator/rectifier then I may go for it but I'm not sure I want to put in too much time, effort and $$$$$ on this bike. Don't get me wrong though, it has been a great bike. Bought new in 02' and has never given any problems, but it may be time for an upgrade. I think I would have a hard time not going with another Yamaha:thumbsup: Thanks CoopDawg, you have been a big help. Feel free to add more info if you can:ride:

[123BigcoopDawg576]

I think the reason behind running 2 battery packs was to be able to run both high and low together, although JAT did mention that he could not confirm this setup because the only Yamahas that he has worked with were the newer 03+ models. He did say that at idle or slow speeds that it would start to drain the battery because as we all know the stator would not be able to keep up with the draw.

I did call BD and ask them what was needed to run the Diablo and they said the light and the battery is it. I did not mention the airtime light, but is seems the only difference would be that I would need the regulator/rectifier for the airtime while the Diablo would include it if the kickstart model is chosen. Does this look like the right one? https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/P-122004/Regulator%2frectifier%2c+(dc)+(wired)

I did look at the Baja Designs, Trailtech and Ricky Stator websites and could not find any specific information regarding the 426 stator. Everything was for 03+. I understand that the 400/426 models are getting up there in age and the lack of support for these models shows. This is why I may just hold off and make the upgrades to a newer bike. If I can make it work with just the light, battery and regulator/rectifier then I may go for it but I'm not sure I want to put in too much time, effort and $$$$$ on this bike. Don't get me wrong though, it has been a great bike. Bought new in 02' and has never given any problems, but it may be time for an upgrade. I think I would have a hard time not going with another Yamaha:thumbsup: Thanks CoopDawg, you have been a big help. Feel free to add more info if you can:ride:

That is the correct reg/rec you need. You will also need a battery and then you or Baja Designs can float the ground and then you will be ready for HIDs.

The only benefit two battery packs will give you is added capacity. But that will only take you so far if the stator cant keep them charged. Like I said earlier, its all about the amps and with the wr stator you are only going to get away with one hid. so you have to decide if you can live with not running both the hi/low on the airtime-hid at the same time until you upgrade.

[dustdogg]

That is the correct reg/rec you need. You will also need a battery and then you or Baja Designs can float the ground and then you will be ready for HIDs.

The only benefit two battery packs will give you is added capacity. But that will only take you so far if the stator cant keep them charged. Like I said earlier, its all about the amps and with the wr stator you are only going to get away with one hid. so you have to decide if you can live with not running both the hi/low on the airtime-hid at the same time until you upgrade.

Well after reading your post it got me thinking that this is the first time I recall hearing about having to float the ground on the older models. I found some threads on here but it seams as though the results are mixed....and I am all about keeping it reliable. This has me wondering, is it possible to return it back to stock when I swap the light to the next bike? I really don't want to make any permenant changes that keep me from putting the stock light and other parts back on when it is retired from desert duty:smirk: I am now seriously thinking about putting the $$$ towards an 07+ WR450:banana: It probably makes more sense as it is already set up with a battery and E-start and has much more support for lighting and such.

I just can't say enough good things about the Yamaha. Yeah the suspension needs a little more work than some, but is easily taken care of with a good suspenion tuner. Overall I thing the WR's are a solid package and I will most likely will be staying on the blue machine for years to come. Dis I mention that my bike still has not required a valve adjustment even after over 5000 miles? And what good is a thread without pics.....here is my bike, simple but very reliable and great out in the dez!!!!?

Edited March 23, 2011 by dustdogg

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Well after reading your post it got me thinking that this is the first time I recall hearing about having to float the ground on the older models. I found some threads on here but it seams as though the results are mixed....and I am all about keeping it reliable. This has me wondering, is it possible to return it back to stock when I swap the light to the next bike? I really don't want to make any permenant changes that keep me from putting the stock light and other parts back on when it is retired from desert duty:smirk: I am now seriously thinking about putting the $$$ towards an 07+ WR450:banana: It probably makes more sense as it is already set up with a battery and E-start and has much more support for lighting and such.

I just can't say enough good things about the Yamaha. Yeah the suspension needs a little more work than some, but is easily taken care of with a good suspenion tuner. Overall I thing the WR's are a solid package and I will most likely will be staying on the blue machine for years to come. Dis I mention that my bike still has not required a valve adjustment even after over 5000 miles? And what good is a thread without pics.....here is my bike, simple but very reliable and great out in the dez!!!!?

That is a clean 426! You really cant go wrong no matter what way you. If you just did a single HID Im sure you'd be happy or if you went with an new wr you'd be happy

BTW my buddy has an 01 wr426 and he still has the stock valves in it with zero adjustments

[OUTERLIMITS]

BTW my buddy has an 01 wr426 and he still has the stock valves in it with zero adjustments ?

The bikes nowdays are so comparable (especially CRFX and WR), both can be made to work just as well in the same places, but you don't usually hear stuff like this except with the WR. That's really incredible for an '01 when you think about it. I had a buddy with an '02 and it was a miserable starting bike, but absolutely bulletproof. He never kept up with maintenance and generally treated the bike like crap, but it always ran like a champ.

[dustdogg]

The bikes nowdays are so comparable (especially CRFX and WR), both can be made to work just as well in the same places, but you don't usually hear stuff like this except with the WR. That's really incredible for an '01 when you think about it. I had a buddy with an '02 and it was a miserable starting bike, but absolutely bulletproof. He never kept up with maintenance and generally treated the bike like crap, but it always ran like a champ.

I agree. After owning my WR since new, I can honestly say that it has never given me any problems that were not age or wear related. The needle seat valve assembly, o-rings in the fuel petcock and the chain slider are about it:thumbsup: Everything else was added for protection or performance. It starts on the first or second kick always and is jetted cleanly with the JD kit and and a YZ exhaust. The suspension was done by Precision Concepts and together with the Scotts steering damper and BRP sub mount, it really eats up the whoops!! I stay up on oil changes and keep the airfilter clean, check the valves and throw in a new plug every year or so and thats about it. I really have no reason to get away from Yamaha, in fact I think I will keep my 426 as a backup when I get a new WR450 and get rid of my mint condition 03' KX 250 that I never ride. A couple years ago I thought I might try some tracks but I always seem to be heading out to the desert with the WR instead:banana:

Anyone looking for a clean? KX:p

Thanks for all of the help guys. I still havn't ruled out the 426 w/HID but I think I may give it some more thought:thumbsup:?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

I still havn't ruled out the 426 w/HID but I think I may give it some more thought:thumbsup:?

Dont rule it out. The Baja Designs light converted to HID is a CHEAP and EFFECTIVE source for a GOOD HID light

[kingjewells]

Even with an 07 WR450 you will have to float the ground and add a aftermarket regulator/rectifier to get enuph power to run the hid. I used Baha Designs directions on floating the ground, their r/r and wiring kit. Works great on my 08 WR450. On my 07 300xc-w I used a Trail Tech Stator and kit w/battery. also worked great. Love the night trail riding and night racing.