Building electric clothing

I guess I need to find the parts to build a controller, thanks for the schematics - guys, I've probably got most of the parts around the house. Unless one of you have a couple of them already made up. I would need one for my heated grips and then another for my widder vest.
Thanks, Tony

Search this thread for pulse width modulator. ~$20 each, mail order.

go here (post 194 in this thread)
includes post 18

my "original" controller was a roller type in-line lamp switch
then I got fancy and added an LED so I could see power on condition.

unfortunately kreamer sports (where I bought the CF pads) got absorbed by Gerbings.

I like the CF, they look like a pc of silicon rubber with slots cut in the center (bad description ... there is an edge of continuous material around all 4 sides, in the center there are multiple strips of material connecting the 2 sides .. think grill)
you can sew thru the material no problem
it's extremely flexible
it's waterproof

only issue I had was occasionally the solder connection to the pad will break ... resolder

24 watts is pretty low output, but up against me with a thin t-shirt between, it's amazing how much warmth there is

I think they said 100 deg F surface temp

look around

think I saw some on fleabay for car seat warmers, go under the upholstery type

you can trim the pads I have, lengthwise not width as each strip across is a current path

OK I'm building one, this is cool.

I bought 30 ga wire today. Radio Shack calls it "hookup" wire. It has Kynar insulation. $4

I hooked up 33' and ran the bike. There was so little heat I could barely feel it. I cut off 10' and tried again. The new 23' piece was almost too hot to hold onto, but not quite. Seems about right. It's resistance is 2.4 ohms.

My concern: My numbers are rather different than I've seen here. 30 ga, 23', and 2.4 ohms.

Any reason I shouldn't run this? I'm thinking this is 5.6 amps at 13.5 volts, is that right? How do I calculate the watts?

thanks

oh also - My 79 XS650 made the wire hotter than my 01 Kaw ZR7. ......?? both with engine running about 2ooo rpm

5.6 X 13.5 =~77watts

That's quite a bit, my home made vest is 34 watts, and I cook in it.

Has anyone looked at using a BTS730 for a controller? Or some other equivalent IC. It is intended as a light dimmer for cars.

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/Infineon%20PDFs/BTS730.pdf

It cuts the parts count down a bit.

It is listed at Digi-Key as non-stock with a 1000 pc. buy quantity. Does anyone have a low quantity source?

A "friendlier" package would be nice too.

Anyone got a source for the coax plugs or know the dimensions? I tried my local radio shack, but they couldn't seem to match it up correctly?

Maybe if I have the dimensions, I could do my own searching? Is that inside pin 2.1mm or maybe 2.5mm? How about the outside?

I'd like to build my own controller using the coax plugs.

The jacket is done and it's super awesome!! Toasty warm and comfy.

33 feet of 30 ga wire from Radio Shack and the iron on stuff is a great way to go.

As for plugs - just use a regular lamp style plug from the house! I took an old extension cord and chopped the ends off with a foot or so of wire to reach the jacket/bike. works great!

I only spent about $10 total

Now I'm making pants too. but how can i be sure I won't overload the bike's charging system?

I'm already running grip heaters and the jacket. What happens if I overload the system?

will it cause damage or just not charge the battery enough?

Might make a good nut sack warmer.

The only nice thing about using the more standard SAE plug, is you can share gear with your friends if need be.

Sure came in handy when my friend forgot his heated vest the other day. With the same plugs, he could borrow my camera warmer and stuff it under his jacket.

Your battery won't charge & voltage will drop to the point where your lights may be very dim.

You need to look up the spec for your charging system. Keep in mind that these specs are usually based on a higher RPM. If you spend a lot of time near idle, your capacity will be much less.

Re: plugs, I use the std SAE for a variety of outlets on my bike. For a jacket, they require way to much force to remove. Count on forgetting to uplug yourself when you get off the bike. For the jacket, I have an adaptor from the 2-wire SAE to a power plug like those you have on your laptop. This slip right apart, and can also be plugged in with only one hand.

Geez dude! Show a little patience and wait for answers in the thread you started about this instead of spamming up other threads, too. Or, better yet, try doing a little of your own research.

And others might ask you to stay on topic.

I can guarantee your nutsack wouldn't last more than five minutes.

Now, if you have nothing useful to say, how about...don't add static to a perfectly good thread.

Thank you.

Hey Ron

Hey XT! Haven't talked to you in a bit!

Now if a person were to make jacket liner, a pair of pants, and a pair of gloves, can these all be run from one PWV controller?

I have a vest(New Age) and gloves(Widder) now, but arms are cold, and was thinking that a pair of pants would also increase riding season.
Last night I went for a ride.
Base layer was long sleeved cotton shirt, socks, underwear.
Then new age heated vest.
Then full leathers (no perforations), Sidi Rioadrace boots.
Then Fieldsheer rain suit as wind block.

Was 43 degreesF when I got home, and I was quite comfortable, except my neck and chin.

I'm wiring my Bandit right now, and intend on running my heated clothing, and heated grips off one controller.

should be no problem.