Looks like rockymountianvmc.com is sold out of these Looks like Amazon has some http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...iveASIN=B004GQYPV4&linkCode=shr&tag=22skvi-20
Finally made contact with Hot Grips. They gave me lots of tips for troubleshooting, but didn't seem to grasp that I had already troubleshot it sufficiently and determined that it was bad. So I filmed a couple troubleshooting steps and plan on shooting them the link. In this video, the LED spotlight is wired into the heated grip circuit. More specifically, it is wired in series with the grips. The grips are wired in parallel, so to do this I connected the white wire from the LED to the black ("To Grips) wire on the VHC. The black (ground) wire of the LED was then connected to the wires that go TO the grips (one to each grip). The grips have an additional wire (one each) that goes to ground, and are on a soldered connection. Notice that the LED is on, no matter what position the VHC is in. Likewise, the LEDs never change brightness, flicker, or even go off. View: http://youtu.be/YqxA42YE-_c
Here I have replaced the LED with my multimeter. This just confirms what I knew all along, but now with numbers. As the VHC is turned up, the amperage across the circuit should increase, with the voltage slightly decreasing. None of this happens, and the meter shows almost no draw across the circuit. View: http://youtu.be/oMBWm-sg-M8
I called Jim as soon as I posted this up to tell him to check his email to see the test results. He said he would send me a return label for the faulty controller this afternoon. So, things are looking up on the Hot Grips front.
Good find. I did take the extra step last night to put the Warm-N-safe jacket liner on under my uniform last night so only my undershirt was between me and the heated gear. It was noticeably warmer that way. I didn't turn up the heat controller all the way, but at about 80-90% it was pretty toasty.
This matters, big time. The Gerbings folks at the factor stressed this to me. You really need to get the heated gear as close to your skin as possible. I ride to work in boxers and a t-shirt, and my heated liners over that. My Aerostich is my outer layer. This works perfect down to 20 degrees. Below that, I really need to put on my winter riding suit.
You can also vary the warmth with layering over the liner. My approach for all day riding... Torso - 70 and above - Darien jacket 60 - add Darien Wind Blocker fleece liner 50 - long sleeved non cotton shirt + warm n safe + Darien Wind Blocker fleece liner 40 - and below - replace Darien fleece with down liner With the last setup I can get down in the 20s and still not use all of the heat. Legs - 60 and above - Darien Pant over jeans 50 - add base layer under jeans 40 - light snowboarding pants under darien pant Below 35 I use a liner under my helmet and make sure I'm wearing wool socks. I also put a sandwich bag over the front of each foot between the sock and the boot. Makes a big difference. When it's raining I adjust the above by about 10 degrees. How long 'til Spring?
Jim sent me a new VHC. I got it installed today, and all is well. I look forward to really testing it when I go back to work this week.
So I installed the VHC from Jim and it works beautifully. However, my wife got me Gerbings G3 gloves for Christmas. These things make heated grips obsolete. I've spent two days riding in them and they function wonderfully. You don't feel an immense amount of heat, and there are no hot spots. But my hands stay perfectly warm at all times, without getting too hot. Warning: A 10amp fuse on your Fuzeblock is adequate for Gerbings pants and jacket. However, adding gloves will bring you to 12 amps. So you'll need to make that circuit on your Fuzeblock a 15amp circuit. This will limit your output for other items. Right now, my Fuzeblock has a GPS, heated grips, and heated gear running on it. The grips and gear will likely never be run together now that I have heated gloves. However, I this still doesn't leave a lot of room for halogen auxillary lights. LED lights should be OK though. Be mindful of that if you go this route. Now to the controller. I had really wanted to install a permanent dual controller for my Gerbings gear. However, I realized that the velcro on the left leg of my Aerostich provides the perfect place to attach the portable controller. It makes for quick access, and easy disconnect. So I might just leave things the way they are. More testing to follow.
I've never needed complex heated crap. I have heated gloves, otherwise I bundle up with a sweater under my jacket and thermal underwear under my pants. I have heated glove liners from First Gear. They also make a jacket liner and full gloves, but I got the liners because I already had XL rainproof gloves. One wire plugs the gloves and jacket in series so you can stack one power supply wire with your gloves and jacket. There's no heat-controller - it's plugged in, so it's on, which means it isn't blazing hot - it warms, it doesn't heat. I have ridden down to 17 degrees on the highway with just the heated liners in my gloves. I route the cable from the battery up under my seat. It comes out of the seat near the gas lid. Works like a charm, and isn't cluttered or messy. The cable comes out of the bottom of my jacket and rests neatly over my left thigh. just enough slack that I can stand up on the bike.
I don't know about these mitts. I mean they will keep the wind off your hands, they look pretty good, but it's very hard accessing the turning signals (especially the left one.) Since I live in the city I have to use the them pretty often.
Guys, I was searching on this forum because I could of sworn I saw something on a new battery charged base layer shirt designed for active sports like motorbiking and skiing etc. I believe the company was located outside of the USA but it looked like really good design. Anyways, if you guys could share some battery operated heated base layers that would be fantastic. Thanks
I'm so close to ordering this unit, I've reached out to see if they have a December year end special available...
My only issue is that top is the lack of lower back warmth. Only has 'two front and one central upper back' panel. When my lower back gets cold is when i tense up very tightly, so its a big part of what i wanted to keep warm with my heated gear.
I don't know if they have Milwaukee brand tools in Australia, but Milwaukee makes a hoodie that uses the same M12 lithium batteries used in their 12v tools. It works great, uses a material designed to actually retain the heat generated from the carbon fiber the elements, and it can be put in the washer and dryer. It is $100 USD without batteries (I already had plenty M12 batteries around.) $150 with battery and charger I think, though I would get an extra battery if you will be putting in a full day in the saddle. Maybe even a third battery if you use the high heat setting often, though I can't image most people would do that as it gets much to warm for me on high. Works great under an MC jacket or just by itself if you are off the bike. They also make a nice jacket, but it is probably a little too bulky to wear under an MC jacket.
