Heated clothing on 81- 850g?

[BigD_83]

Hi Fred,

I run heated gloves and jacket liner from First Gear, and even though I have not tested their current draw, I have no doubts I could also plug in a set of pant liners when the temperatures really start hovering around 0 C (32F). The nice thing, the system is portable, so I could add in a pigtail on the 550es and use the same gear and not have to duplicate equipment. I do have new R/Rs on both, one MOSFET-shunt (in the 650) and a series unit on the 550.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/10983951/d/firstgear-motorcycle-heated-gear

I use their dual control unit so I can have different heat levels for my hands and torso. One thing I can say is the gloves only have heating elements on the back of the hands, and if buying again I'd go up a size from what I would normally wear. It would be nice to have heated grips to complement them, but that might start to tax the charging system with full heated (three zone- torso, legs, and gloves). Posplayr and Steve might have a better feel for that though.

[Wingsconsin]

I have Gordons Heated clothing gear for my Goldwing -- http://gordonsheated.com/
I own the jacket liner and the gloves and use the controllers they sell -
When I have them ON HIGH on my 'Wing I see a .1-.2 drop in the volt meter as they use maximum power to get hot, then a .1 volt drop during use.
The Goldwing has an alternator like a car - not a stator with R&R.
But these draw 110 watts according to the website and they keep me warm and happy.
Legs would be the challenge I think on a GS with no lowers to block wind.

What is the calculation from watts to amps to volts ...?

[Steve]

What is the calculation from watts to amps to volts ...?

Watts = amps x volts

Depending on the controller, once the device gets to the termostatically-set temperature, the current draw will drop. If you have an older style that uses a center-tapped rheostat, the draw will be the same, but the newer 'digital' controllers use pulse-width modulation to controll the amount of heat that you get. They apply full power for a fraction of a second, then turn off, then apply full power again. The ratio of on/off time (the width of the pulse) is what determines current flow and heat.

.

[salty_monk]

I did monitor mine on a couple of the GS's. At idle Grips or vest (both about 30-40 watts) knock the voltage about 0.4v from memory. You can get it down to 12.5-12.7v ish running everything & you will flatten the battery eventually. I am doing all this from memory but I think 3,000 ish brought it up to a reasonably healthy charging voltage.

My 2009 KLR is also marginal with grips, vest & main beam running full in traffic / town. (It has two headlight bulbs not just high low on the same bulb).

[posplayr]

I did monitor mine on a couple of the GS's. At idle Grips or vest (both about 30-40 watts) knock the voltage about 0.4v from memory. You can get it down to 12.5-12.7v ish running everything & you will flatten the battery eventually. I am doing all this from memory but I think 3,000 ish brought it up to a reasonably healthy charging voltage.

My 2009 KLR is also marginal with grips, vest & main beam running full in traffic / town. (It has two headlight bulbs not just high low on the same bulb).

Thanks Dan.

[fred smailes]

Come on Fred, I don't know what you're complaining about.........how cold can it be there anyways???? just get some "hippo hands" and be done with it...



http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/mot...Main-page.html

I read the article on Vetter and as my bike is covered in Vetter stuff I checked Ebay for some Hippos Top a the page were these looked good so I bought them.
Came yesterday,, WOW a 1981 product don't think it's ever been on a bike, they are as new!! My bike has been sitting under the house since Sept so kinda dusty but I put them on the bike and took a couple a pics, I know wrong thread but this is a response to AZR.
Fred

[trevor]

Well that is awesome Fred, great find too. Thanks, that just made my day!

[Guest]

Just saw this Fred. They look fantastic, very practical. I'm jelous, like you said they look brand new. Have you had a chance to try them out yet?

[storm 64]

I went out for a ride yesterday on my 82 850G. It wasn't that cold 60's but dropping to lower 50's. I plugged in my Gerbings jacket and gloves. Oh momma did that feel good. I didn't want to get off my motorcycle. No apparent problems with the motorcycle or charging issues. I've never used my heated gear on the 850. Just on the BMW.