Heated gear

[rick danger]

So, first day it was in the high 30's for a high temp. And windy. Cloudy. I had my heated gear on, and it got me wondering about the charging system. Looks like it puts out 400 watts? I'm wondering if anybody ever had a problem with fried stator windings or anything running a lot of heated gear. I had on my heated jacket liner, heated gloves, heated pants liner, and the heated grips. I have socks I want to use too when it gets cold enough. I want to ride as long as I can into the winter. before the roads get salty. Didn't really need all that on. I just wanted to take it all for a test ride and see how it all worked. Some are pretty old. (pant liner)

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Look at your heated gear to see watt draw. Add them up, then add in your lights and ignition draw. What else ? If using heated gloves is it needed to use heated grips ?

 

[rick danger]

Look at your heated gear to see watt draw. Add them up, then add in your lights and ignition draw. What else ? If using heated gloves is it needed to use heated grips ?

The gloves are a bit old too. They didn't seem to be to hot. I think Gerbings connectors get less conductive sometimes. I remember spraying them, and sometimes twisting them back and forth while they were connected to get them hotter

 

[papanorm]

I have gravitated over the years to battery powered heated gear. Granted in Texas we don't usually get that cold so I usually run all on medium heat to last several hours.
I always wear an Alpinestars Tech Air 5 airbag vest over the heated jacket so it can't be set too high. I'm sure it's a different story in CT Rick.

 

[rick danger]

ordered this. Amazon.com: DaierTek DIN Hella Plug to Dual USB Charger Adapter for BMW Triumph Tiger Ducati Motorcycle Quick Charge QC 3.0 Powerlet Waterproof with Blue LED Voltmeter : Automotive

 

[rick danger]

Seems like jacket, pants, gloves, socks, grips, come out under 250 watts. Can anyone confirm the charging system puts out 400 watts? Not sure what the bike takes to run. Its just daytime for me, so DRL only. I also try to remember to pull the plug and shut off the grips a little before shutting off the bike, to let the battery charge a bit. Its a new Antigravity lithium restart.

 

[Einar]

Seems like jacket, pants, gloves, socks, grips, come out under 250 watts. Can anyone confirm the charging system puts out 400 watts? Not sure what the bike takes to run. Its just daytime for me, so DRL only. I also try to remember to pull the plug and shut off the grips a little before shutting off the bike, to let the battery charge a bit. Its a new Antigravity lithium restart.

At 14 volts, the charging system puts out 25 amps at idle up to 46.5 amps at 3,000 RPM, so that works out to a range of approx. 350 to 650 watts.

That said, the main fuse is 40 amps (560 watts at 14 volts) and if we assume it was over-sized by 25% because it's in a hot environment, that gives a probable upper limit of 32 amps (448 watts at 14 volts). Since we size fuses to be more than the expected load, but less than the wiring's rating, the total normal draw will be under that. The ACC fuse protects the heated grips, both AUX sockets, and the USB port. It's rated for 20 amps, which would be a max of 280 watts at 14 volts (but less in reality, since you don't want to risk blowing it and winding up with heated gear that doesn't heat).

So, broadly guesstimating, it looks like the charging system is rated at idle to handle everything that Triumph offers but not significantly more (meaning all necessary systems including the fan and lights + 20 amps for grips/USB/Aux1/Aux2/whatever + optional Triumph accessories like the alarm).

I've had motorcycles, typically sportbikes, that don't charge at idle even before you add accessories. I doubt this is an issue on the Rocket, though I've never been stuck idling long enough to be sure.

 

[rick danger]

...

So, broadly guesstimating, it looks like the charging system is rated at idle to handle everything that Triumph offers but not significantly more

Good explanation, thanks. When I have the heated gear on, I always try to ride at a higher rpm than usual. Probably wouldn't want to sit idling for half hour with 200 watts worth of heated gear. I'm also wondering if the temp controller uses a resistor or some sort of sine wave manipulation, or something else. Probably not resister since it doesn't get hot. Point is does it decrease the draw when its turned lower? This is what I have. Gerbing 12V Wireless Temp Controller Remote

Gerbing 12V Digital Dual Portable Temperature Controller - Wireless Ready

 

[rick danger]

Ok, to answer my own question. Yes, lowering the heat level reduces the current draw by way of "pulse width modulation".

 

[Nashvegas]

I have the Firstgear socks, pants liner, jacket liner and gloves. Use them with the remote and have never had any problems.