Electric Vests

[SkooterG]

Well, I am finally about to purchase my first article of heated clothing - a Widder vest, and need some help and advice when it comes to wiring it up and controllers.

My plan is to hardwire the the the controller to my power distribution block, and permanently install the variable controller.

So the first questions I have are:

1) What type of controller should I get? The Widder Electronic Controller? Or a Heat-troller from WarmNSafe.com? Recently, I have seen people recommend the Heat-troller a lot? Why?

2) Any recommendations (preferably with piccies ) of where to install the controller? How hard will this be to do?

Now all that is left is connectors. Any advice? Preferences? Advantages of one over another? I tend to be an S.A.E. connector man myself. Is there any reason I should not get that type?

From the controller, I figured I would route the connecter for the vest out from between the front of the seat and the gas tank. Any comments?

Anything else I am missing?'

Should I do this an entirely different way?

Enquiring minds want to know! Thanks in advance.

 

[mpres62]

I like the function of widder's controller. The control is perfect. It's a bit pricey. I don't know if it's a reostat or more like the heat troller so there may be a power benifit to the heat troller. I run mine off of a powerlet socket.

 

[8Ball]

My first electric vest was a Widder and I got the controller also. Mine is waayyy too old to compare to any new controller, but it worked fine.

I have since replaced it with an On/Off switch, just as my Kanetsu has. I've found that if it's cold enough to turn it on, you will want it on constantly.

If there is a controller that can vary the current, not just cycleing on & off, that may be worth it. For heated grips, it is an absolute essential; for an electric vest, it's sugar on the balls IMHO.

 

[Tim05fjr]

Scooter,

I have warm and safe's heat trollers installed on my bike. I mounted them on the upper just by the hazzard switch. one each for grips, heated liner , and seat.

They work great and operate easily. I bought them through Nick and Catfish from Farklemasters.com. They live near me on Long Island and are great guys. Nick also did the install of the seat heater. Nice Job. I ran the wire for the heated liner out in front of the seat. I love the heated liner. I got it from warm and safe. Check ebay, mine I got for $75. Bikermike from warmandsafe runs auctions on them and you could get a good deal. Another great guy to deal with. I used a fuse block and relay hooked up to key on power. Took about 3 hours to wire it all up and mount grips.( also got the grips from Nick and Catfish) They are fatter and softer than the Yamaha ones, not to mention a lot cheaper

Everything is working great so far. I rode home from Upstate N.Y. last week end in the rain and about 50 deg and I was comfy.

Tim

 

[twowheelnut]

Just make sure you get the electric vest with the quiche warming pocket option. Wuss. :haha: :taunt:

 

[jestal]

del

 

[HondaCBX6]

Yes! Close to your body. Test fit a vest if possible. I have the Widder II which has a heated collar. Very nice! It seals the gap between your neck and jacket and is warm.... I use the Widder remote control which works well. I have never had it turned full on. It is usually in the #4-#5 range. I ride in some pretty cold weather now than I am heated! I good purchace in my opinion no matter what brand you buy. Widder or Gerbing. HEAT IS GOOD!

 

[lawinter]

I wanted something I could put on over my work clothes so I went with the

Gerbing Union Ridge Jacket and Pants. Also have the gloves.

Very easy to put on and take off over clothes.

I have the varible dual controller and use one for the pants and the

other for the jacket and gloves. Never had it up more than 1/2 way yet.

So far the coldest morning as been 27 deg. and I was quite toasty.

In the afternoon's I haven't needed to plug them in and run heat.

I also have the rear dual powerlet outlet but it is not the best for wiring up

the clothes.

I have a harness from the battery to my tankbag and the temp controller is in that.

When not in use the wiring folds up nicely in the gap between the tank and the

fairing.

If you use the powerlet ignore the instructions that say ground the socket to the frame and ground it to the battery.

The frame is a lousy ground. Very high impedance.

Good luck with whatever one you choose. Heat is good.

Larry

 

[JimLor]

Technical question - does anyone know if the watts used are linear w/the adjustable controller? In other words, does the Gerbing jacket liner use 77w when set at "10," and 39w when set at 5 and 14.4 when set at 2? I know that the Widder uses less w then the Gerbings, but I can't find anywhere to try on the Widder while I've been to 2 places that carry the Gerbings. Funny note - you can have the HD logo on the liner if you want to pay another $36!!

 

[Tim05fjr]

Hey TWN,

I keep my quiche in the storage compartment. It keeps ot nice and warm.

Tim

 

[lawinter]

Technical question - does anyone know if the watts used are linear w/the adjustable controller?

That is a good question.I don't think so as the people at Gerbing told me there is a thermostat that cycles depending on the setting. I would think a true linear system would supply a steady varible voltage to the heating elements.

I also could not find anyone here in Denver that carried Widder and had stock I could try on while the fine folks at the BMW dealership had gerbing clothes in stock. ( they tried real hard to sell me a Motorcycle )

Must say that played a role in my decsion.

I did pass on the HD logo.

I have been toasty riding to work in the morning's and plan on riding as long as the roads are dry.

 

[ALFJR]

Widder "Lectric2" vest here, with the electronic controller. Money wll spent. Got the best deal at Derby Cycles in KY, I believe. Super folks to deal with!

With the vest I use Core Tech Cold-Tex gloves, and heated grips. I'm good to about 35 degrees F. Have actually been on the FJR in upstate NY with wet snow coming down, yet as awarm as can be!

"No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing."

 

[easyman05]

Could be electric vest harmful due to elctromagnetic field?

 

[JimLor]

Just did my first communte at 39 degrees. HT overpants w/Liner; New Oxtar Matrix boots; FG Mesh Tex II jacket/w liner; neck gaiter; FG thinsulate/gortex gloves; suit pants/dress shirt (and tie!). Well, the good news is I never felt like I was going to fall asleep! Actually not bad - feet were warm, hands were "ok," legs were warm; torso was "cool." All in all, not bad for a 50 minute commute. Odd thing though, I could have sworn that I saw the words "heated clothing" flashing on the inside of my windscreen! But to be honest, I think EITHER a heated vest/arms, Or, a 3 x season jacket would be fine for my early morning commute.

 

[HOV]

I commute down to single-digit temps. I've had both an on/off switch and a heat troller.

My opinion is that you don't need a heat troller. If it's warm, don't turn the liner on. If it's too cold, turn it on. There usually isn't an in between.

Save yourself the money and hassle. A regular hookup right to the battery is two wires and inline fuse.

 

[Bounce]

That works during a commute. Extend that out to a 12 hour or longer day and it doesn't take long for you to hate every time you have to reach up and turn off your aux lights, turn on your heated gear, and know that it won't be long before you have to repeat the process because you need light instead of heat (for a while).

 

[HOV]

That works during a commute. Extend that out to a 12 hour or longer day and it doesn't take long for you to hate every time you have to reach up and turn off your aux lights, turn on your heated gear, and know that it won't be long before you have to repeat the process because you need light instead of heat (for a while).

Hmmm, I ran aux lights and heat-trollers on my Concours (with a weaksauce alternator) and never encountered that problem, even on long rides.

Sounds like you do longer rides in the cold more often than I do, so I defer to your experience.

 

[jestal]

del

 

[easyman05]

Could be electric vest harmful due to elctromagnetic field?

If you are worried about this you probably shouldn't even consider the risk of riding a motorcycle......

Nice smile!

Risk of cancer is included into the Bike riding risk ?