Heated Gear - how much can the bike support?

[bibleman]

I am looking to purchase heated gear for the wife and I to use on our K1200LT.

However, when I went to Gerbing's site and spec'd it out:

Gloves = 22w x 2
Socks - 22w x 2
Jacket Liner = 77w x 2
Pants Liner = 44w x 2

330 watts total

YIKES!!!! :eek: :eek:

Just what will the bike support?

[kriach]

I believe that that is the maximum wattage the clothing will draw. With a temp controller I don't think that you would be drawing anywhere near that much power as I suspect that you would find the clothin way too hot. With the heated grips that your 06 has you should not need gloves so that will drop you consumption requirements some. On my 07 I find that with the heated seat and heated grips that I don't need heated gloves or pant liners either. I have ridden my bike down to 30 degrees and not been cold.


That being said the alternator on the K1200 puts out 840 watts of power so you should be able to calculate how much is available for accessories. I am not sure how much power the bike itsef uses but if you can't find the information here the dealer should be able to get it for you.



Ken

[messenger13]

I ran all of my heated gear (same list as yours) while running SIX 55-watt halogens. No problem. Just make sure you run the heated-gear right off of the battery. And don't forget a dual-controller for you and the little lady.

[bibleman]

I ran all of my heated gear (same list as yours) while running SIX 55-watt halogens. No problem. Just make sure you run the heated-gear right off of the battery. And don't forget a dual-controller for you and the little lady.

That's awesome information, and good news.

To clarify, since I would like the most flexibility possibility, would you recommend a dual Warm n Safe for both rider and passenger (so we can individually control upper and lower body heat)?

[messenger13]

To clarify, since I would like the most flexibility possibility, would you recommend a dual Warm n Safe for both rider and passenger (so we can individually control upper and lower body heat)?Yes, the wife and I both have a portable dual Heat-Troller from Warm-n-Safe. My son also uses the Heat-Troller on his ATV.

[bibleman]

Yes, the wife and I both have a portable dual Heat-Troller from Warm-n-Safe. My son also uses the Heat-Troller on his ATV.

Thanks man. I promised the wifey that this was the last Northeast winter we would ride and not be toasty warm.

[pozo_izquierdo]

That's awesome information, and good news.

To clarify, since I would like the most flexibility possibility, would you recommend a dual Warm n Safe for both rider and passenger (so we can individually control upper and lower body heat)?

Yessir, definetily get the dual controllers!

For the first year I had the single controller but my legs / feet were always cold when my upper body was roasting.
A year ago I installed the dual permanent Heat-Trollers for myself and passenger. We are both happy and the bike alternator can handle everything as long as the revs are above 1500.

Some pics are in the Picasa link below under topic "Heat Trollers for Gerbings".

Regards

[bibleman]

Yessir, definetily get the dual controllers!

For the first year I had the single controller but my legs / feet were always cold when my upper body was roasting.
A year ago I installed the dual permanent Heat-Trollers for myself and passenger. We are both happy and the bike alternator can handle everything as long as the revs are above 1500.

Some pics are in the Picasa link below under topic "Heat Trollers for Gerbings".

Regards

Thanks Ari. I should have known the Farkle King would have info on this topic. Looking back, it would have been easy to predict that either you or Joe (or both as it were) would be the ones to come forward with info on this.

[zaphod]

Just make sure you run the heated-gear right off of the battery.
I ran mine right off the battery until I forgot to turn off the controllers one day. Even with the liners unplugged, the controllers pulled enough current to kill my battery overnight. After that I ran them though a relay controlled by the seat heater.

[messenger13]

I ran mine right off the battery until I forgot to turn off the controllers one day. Even with the liners unplugged, the controllers pulled enough current to kill my battery overnight. After that I ran them though a relay controlled by the seat heater.The only thing drawing juice (when your liners are unplugged) is that little flashing LED(s) on the controller. That SURELY is not enough to drain your battery overnight. Me thinks something else was the culprit. With all due respect...

[zaphod]

I was very surprised, but it was the controllers. Just a note, they were the Gerbings dual controllers not the Heat Trollers. No problems since I installed the relay.