Variable heat grips - Version 2.0

[duck]

Here's the link to version 1.0: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=647109

I've been quite pleased with the results of V 1.0 so I decided that my K1100RS needed them too.

I paid a whopping $3.97 shipped on Fleabay for this 8 Amp PWM (pulse width modulator) "LED Dimmer." The box for it was a little too big for where I wanted to mount the control knob so I removed the control potentiometer from the box, soldered three longer wires onto it and hid the box part with the printed circuit board in my fairing. It probably wasn't necessary but I also covered the control knob terminals with marine epoxy to waterproof them.

I also installed a 3mm LED wired to the output right above the control knob for three reasons:

1) Visual confirmation that the heated grips are getting power

2) To make it easier to find the control knob at night in the dark

3) You can never have too many LEDs, right?

I spent yesterday riding in temps varying from 40-80 degrees and it works great.

[sjc56]

I have wanting to do this on my Buell. I guess it would work on a heated vest too.

[OaklandStrom]

Originally Posted by sjc56

I have wanting to do this on my Buell. I guess it would work on a heated vest too.

8 amps @ 12v is 100 Watts - so it would depend on your vest.

Got a link to the eBay store you bought it from?

[duck]

Originally Posted by OaklandStrom

8 amps @ 12v is 100 Watts - so it would depend on your vest.

Got a link to the eBay store you bought it from?

Most jackets use less than 100W so I'd think a vest is gonna burn less watts. You can always Google it up for your particular vest.

Fleabay item: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-LE...ht_3492wt_1179

[OaklandStrom]

Originally Posted by duck

Most jackets use less than 100W so I'd think a vest is gonna burn less watts. You can always Google it up for your particular vest.

Fleabay item: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-8A-LE...ht_3492wt_1179

Thanks for the link. I think I paid at least $20 for that same unit a year or so back - from an LED lighting supplier.

One thing I really like eBay for is removing the importer & distributor from the supply chain. It's the same item, so might as well pay 10%-20% of MSRP.

[nuggets]

Thanks for this. I just ordered two of these from amazon and will use one for grips, and the other for some aux lights.

[duck]

Glad it's useful to you. I am here to serve.

Properly cooked hands taste better.