What do I need for a Powerlet/heated grips install?

[daveinva]

Yes, it's still technically summer, but I like to plan ahead! :doorag:

Here's what I want to do to my RS:

1. At a minimum, one Powerlet port on the dash to power heated gear this winter.
2. Preferrably, *two* Powerlet ports on the dash to power heated gear *and* an accessory, a.k.a. GPS, radio, etc.
3. I want my only outlet, or one of two, to be switched hot so I can use it for a battery tender this winter.
4. I don't want to add an additional fusebox to my RS unless I absolutely have to.
5. I may, however, want to also add in addition to #1 or #2 heated grips to my RS.

From earlier thread searching, I found this possible solution:

http://www.powerlet.com/product/multifit-two-socket-panel-kit-48/183

From my reading, that kit will include everything, including the right length of wire, to run pigtail from my battery up to the dash. The kit includes a fuse already so I don't have to add a fuse box. One (or both? I don't know) of the sockets are switched so I can plug in the tender.

However, if I wanted to add the heated grips on top of the Powerlets, what are my options then? Where would I route those grips-- is there somewhere else I wire them in other than the battery? Would I then *need* an auxiliary power/fuse setup?

(Also, any recommendations for the EASIEST heated grips to install on an RS-- the "best" would be even better, but I'm looking for an easy install on my own if I choose to do it).

Reason for asking: I hate electrical work. HATE IT. But I think I can do the Powerlet by myself. But I know that I *don't* want to mess with another fuse box, which means that if I need one (either for the Powerlets by themselves, or the Powerlets *and* the heated grips), then I'll order what I need to order, and have a dealer install everything for me in one fell swoop.

Also: I know the power draw for the Spyder can be iffy, and that if you run heated gear you shouldn't also run the foglights (which I have). Can I run heated grips and the foglights at the same time okay? Can I run a heated jacket (I'll probably skip the pants) and heated grips at the same time, sans foglights?

 

[NancysToy]

If you want just heated gear, you can do it even without a Powerlet. Just connect the fused harness and connector that comes with the heated gear, to the battery terminals (not the jumper terminal under the seat). You will also want a thermostat for the heated gear. That plugs into the harness. If you use a heated jacket, you can attach heated gloves right to the sleeves, and you won't need the heated grips. As an alternative to the Powerlet, Gerbing makes a harness kit where the coax plugs into a Powerlet-like socket, which is included in the kit. Best of both worlds! You can also buy an adapter from Powerlet from some battery chargers, to hook to the coax connector, solving your charging pigtail problem. You would need a charging adapter to the Powerlet, anyway.

If you add anything beyond the one electrical accessory, I highly recommend an auxilary fuse block. I know you don't like electrical work, but maybe you can get someone to help you. It is not recommended to add more than one or two extra terminals at the battery. It is also dangerous to "cob together" wiring. Things like this that draw lots of amps can cause fires if wired haphazardly.

 

[daveinva]

If you want just heated gear, you can do it even without a Powerlet. Just connect the fused harness and connector that comes with the heated gear, to the battery terminals (not the jumper terminal under the seat). You will also want a thermostat for the heated gear. That plugs into the harness. If you use a heated jacket, you can attach heated gloves right to the sleeves, and you won't need the heated grips. As an alternative to the Powerlet, Gerbing makes a harness kit where the coax plugs into a Powerlet-like socket, which is included in the kit. Best of both worlds! You can also buy an adapter from Powerlet from some battery chargers, to hook to the coax connector, solving your charging pigtail problem. You would need a charging adapter to the Powerlet, anyway.

If you add anything beyond the one electrical accessory, I highly recommend an auxilary fuse block. I know you don't like electrical work, but maybe you can get someone to help you. It is not recommended to add more than one or two extra terminals at the battery. It is also dangerous to "cob together" wiring. Things like this that draw lots of amps can cause fires if wired haphazardly.

Thanks Scotty, was hoping you'd be the first to jump in :thumbup:

RE: Gerbing heated gear harness to the battery terminal, where would I route the wires out-- can I run those forward so they come out near the handlebars, or do I have to plug in near the seat? I don't want to risk crushing/yanking wires near the seat, and figure if I have it all up forward I'll be a bit more likely to remember when I'm plugged in (yeah, right!).

Also, I'm sure they have a wide variety of gear, but do you know if Gerbing makes gloves with heat elements not just on the back but on the palm? Aside from the convenience of the grips, my worry is I want my *whole* hand warm if I'm going to be riding through the winter here, and a lot of heated gloves I've seen tend to accomodate heated grips already, i.e. they don't bother heating the palm.

Lastly, I'm probably likely to have a dealer install all the electrical stuff, so if I have to go with the extra fuse block I'll have them do it. My concern is really a matter of timing; if I have to drop off my bike for all the work, I'd like to just hand them a box of stuff with instruction sheets and say, "Here... do this," all in one fell swoop to minimize my time away from my bike (riding weather's just getting good around these parts ).

 

[NancysToy]

The Gerbing harness can be run anywhere. It is similar to a lamp cord in nature. Running under the seat is no real problem if you secure it so that it cannot lie on top of the frame accidentally. You only need enough loose so that it can peek out from under the seat...and having the connection by the seat is the place where the cords are least in the way of the rider...and easy to run up under your outer clothing. That being said, I like the forward position, too. Nancy has Powerlets, but I connected to her auxiliary fuse block under the trunk lid, and ran the harness through the console, poking it out the steering opening. I found a bracket there to tie it to, so I can reach in and get it to hook up the loose end, but I can tuck it out of the way when it is not in use. You could do the same if you used a coax extension harness from Powerlet. On my 2010 RTS, I used a Gerbing harness under the seat, connected to the batteries, until I installed my Powerlets.