Need advice about electric vest and how to...

[BigGuy66]

... set up the wiring. I read past posts, but I am NOT electrically inclined, so pics are very helpful for me. I didn't quite understand the prior instructions. But, I DO KNOW not to mess with the negative terminal under the seat... :lecturef_smilie: I already did that once. :banghead:
We will be riding in Arkansas in the middle of October and I think an electric vest is what I would like to use. Recommendations for the brand and then how to install wiring is appreciated. 2010 RT SM5 bike. Thanks.
Jim

 

[trikermutha]

well to make it easy for you. run the wire harness from the two battery posts to where you what to plug in the heated vest. And a controller helps you adjust the temperature.

Or you can get fancy and hook up a plug in port on the dash too with a controller.

There should be provided instructions with the harness.

 

[gerald37]

... set up the wiring. I read past posts, but I am NOT .electrically inclined, so pics are very helpful for me. I didn't quite understand the prior instructions. But, I DO KNOW not to mess with the negative terminal under the seat... :lecturef_smilie: I already did that once. :banghead:
We will be riding in Arkansas in the middle of October and I think an electric vest is what I would like to use. Recommendations for the brand and then how to install wiring is appreciated. 2010 RT SM5 bike. Thanks.
Jim

I run wiring for the Gerbing direct from the battery under the plastic to under the seat. There I plug the thermostat to my heated liner. Works great.

 

[easysuper]

I bought all the electric parts I need at Cycle Gear, and even bought our heated gear there. I installed the cable from the battery terminal to the underside of the tupperware on the left side for my wife. I mounted my electrical jack next to the speaker on my bike but like the way I did her bike better. This was the first time I have attempted anything like this as I am a talented carpenter but do not like mechanics, but this was easy and satisfying. The hardest part was snaking the cable up from the battery to the point where I could feed it to the female jack. It took a couple of hours to do the entire project and looks better than a cable just hanging out. On the passengers grips on our RTL's there is a knockout where you can mount a jack for the passenger that makes for a clean looking mount.

 

[pegasus1300]

... set up the wiring. I read past posts, but I am NOT electrically inclined, so pics are very helpful for me. I didn't quite understand the prior instructions. But, I DO KNOW not to mess with the negative terminal under the seat... :lecturef_smilie: I already did that once. :banghead:
We will be riding in Arkansas in the middle of October and I think an electric vest is what I would like to use. Recommendations for the brand and then how to install wiring is appreciated. 2010 RT SM5 bike. Thanks.
Jim

The best gear IMHO is that made by Warm & Safe and also sold under the First Gear label. If you are an AMA member you get a huge discount by ordering direct from Warm & Safe. http://www.warmnsafe.com/.

An easy way to connect is to go straight to the battery terminals. The cable for the heated vest already has the proper fuse in it. Be sure to get the controler and I recommend the bluetooth one.

 

[robhowen]

From Battery with inline fuse

As others have suggested, run a direct circuit from your battery. I didn't notice others saying this, so I'll add make sure you ad an in-line fuse so that if you have a problem you blow the inline fuse vs. damage your vest and/or worse. Use a fuse appropriate for the vest's draw.

I can't say regarding your RT, but I have a 2015 RT and I did this with an inline fuse and I ran it to under my seat. I pull it out when I need to plug it into my elec vest.

Rob

 

[Chupaca]

Lets see....

The majority run direct to the battery with an inline fuse. I use Warm Gear many use the Gerbing Brand but there are many others. Wife has the liner with single control for the liner and gloves I have a dual control cause the gloves need to be warmer than the liner seeing as the RS has no wind protection for the hands...My plugs are under the seat and I pull the out only when using the gear (not to often here) but you can mount the plugs to the side or dash :thumbup:

 

[BigGuy66]

About buying a controller for a vest...

The best gear IMHO is that made by Warm & Safe and also sold under the First Gear label. If you are and AMA member you get a huge discount by ordering direct from Warm & Safe. http://www.warmnsafe.com/.

An easy way to connect is to go straight to the battery terminals. The cable for the heated vest already has the proper fuse in it. Be sure to get the controler and I recommend the bluetooth one.

...what kind should I get and where should I get it?
Jim

 

[MurrayBrown]

Heated Riding Gear - Hooking up to Battery

... set up the wiring. I read past posts, but I am NOT electrically inclined, so pics are very helpful for me. I didn't quite understand the prior instructions. But, I DO KNOW not to mess with the negative terminal under the seat... :lecturef_smilie: I already did that once. :banghead:
We will be riding in Arkansas in the middle of October and I think an electric vest is what I would like to use. Recommendations for the brand and then how to install wiring is appreciated. 2010 RT SM5 bike. Thanks. Jim

You will see almost everyone suggests hooking up directly to the battery. I concur 100%.

As for WHAT to purchase, I have a jacket liner (not a vest) from Venture Heat.
Easy to hook up and really, really toasty and warm ... even on last Friday when the morning was 34 F.

https://www.ventureheat.com/11-power-sports

 

[kywinger]

This is the heated vest I use. Had to find a vest with a low amp draw that would work with an 84 Goldwing.

http://www.exo2theheatinside.com/

They sale everything you need to set up the connections and controllers.

 

[Mr. White]

I have a Gerbing battery operated jacket. It works great and a full charge lasts about seven hours. Need more change out the battery. I can use it when I am on my tractor and out in the back forty, not tied to the bike. I have had plug in jackets but the battery is much better because of it's mobility. I also can ride the Wing and don't have to fool with more wires. JMHO

:spyder2:

 

[Motorcycledave]

Check out Cycle Gear

There is a company that is nation wide that has a ton of motorcycle
gear inc. heated vests, gloves and more they can show you how to
install it, some locations will do it for you
here is a location I hope is near you if not call them and ask for a closer one

• Cycle Gear Castleton
  • 6024 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN, 46250

... set up the wiring. I read past posts, but I am NOT electrically inclined, so pics are very helpful for me. I didn't quite understand the prior instructions. But, I DO KNOW not to mess with the negative terminal under the seat... :lecturef_smilie: I already did that once. :banghead:
We will be riding in Arkansas in the middle of October and I think an electric vest is what I would like to use. Recommendations for the brand and then how to install wiring is appreciated. 2010 RT SM5 bike. Thanks.
Jim

 

[fatboy]

mobile warming

check out there gear i love it controller built in we like it so much we sell it at my shop victory drive v twins in indy

 

[BigGuy66]

Thanks for all the great advice and leads...

...now I need to start my searches and get stuff bought... leaving the 14th for Arkansas for our international rally...
Jim

 

[BigGuy66]

You will see almost everyone suggests hooking up directly to the battery. I concur 100%.

(snip)

On my 2010 RT (with the battery buried under the seat under plastic) can I use the exposed posts under the seat to attach the leads for a heated vest? :dontknow: I hook my tender to those and everything seems to work... or do I need to hook the leads directly TO THE BATTERY TERMINALS? ray: Please say "no" to trying to hook them to the battery itself... If you have had a 2010 RT you know what I mean...
Jim

 

[UtahPete]

I bought all the electric parts I need at Cycle Gear, and even bought our heated gear there. I installed the cable from the battery terminal to the underside of the tupperware on the left side for my wife. I mounted my electrical jack next to the speaker on my bike but like the way I did her bike better. This was the first time I have attempted anything like this as I am a talented carpenter but do not like mechanics, but this was easy and satisfying. The hardest part was snaking the cable up from the battery to the point where I could feed it to the female jack. It took a couple of hours to do the entire project and looks better than a cable just hanging out. On the passengers grips on our RTL's there is a knockout where you can mount a jack for the passenger that makes for a clean looking mount.

I like that setup. Did you power it straight from the battery or use a fuse block (OEM or after-market)?

 

[UtahPete]

check out there gear i love it controller built in we like it so much we sell it at my shop victory drive v twins in indy

Do you have a link to them? I can't find it under that name.

 

[UtahPete]

https://www.ventureheat.com/11-power-sports

Great resource. Thanks.

 

[UtahPete]

The best gear IMHO is that made by Warm & Safe and also sold under the First Gear label. If you are and AMA member you get a huge discount by ordering direct from Warm & Safe. http://www.warmnsafe.com/. An easy way to connect is to go straight to the battery terminals. The cable for the heated vest already has the proper fuse in it. Be sure to get the controler and I recommend the bluetooth one.

Good advice. Thanks Paul.

 

[easysuper]

I like that setup. Did you power it straight from the battery or use a fuse block (OEM or after-market)?

Straight from the battery with an inline fuse that you can access from the frunk. The rest of the power cords were plug and play and I fished them up through the front end and zip tied them off at several locations after I removed some of the tupper ware.