Heated Grips Wiring

[spicy.ramen]

I recently got the Bike master heated grips with lcd for my RE 650, but the instructions are minimal to non existent. Has anyone had any experience wiring these to a bike? It gives two pieces of advice for the entire setup: "connect to 12V key on" for the red and "a good ground" for the ground.

 

[89hawk]

Here is how I wired my vest.
+ Battery to 12v relay. +12v relay to vest.
Relay to - Battery.
Tail light to relay. ( relay won't turn on unless taillight is on)

You can get a relay from any auto parts place
https://www.amazon.com/Ehdis-Relay-40amp-Spst-Model/dp/B01J53IH5M/ref=sr_1_5?crid=13IXUBOX0HZW7&dchild=1&keywords=12v+relay&qid=1611186415&sprefix=12v+re%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-5

 

[ST Guy]

Definitely use a relay. Otherwise you'll leave them on some day when you get off the bike and your battery will be dead.

Think of a relay as a remote control switch. Hook it up to the battery directly, using a fuse right at the positive terminal. Trigger the relay with some other wire that's only on when the bike is turned on. Then hook the grips to the relay.

If you do a search on this site, you should be able to find a schematic.

 

[ST Guy]

Here's a simple schematic.

 

[ST Guy]

Instead of "from fuse" in the upper left corner, make that a connection from any wire that is turned on and off when the ignition is turned on and off.

And the grips will have their own connection to ground which is not shown.

And there should be either an on/off switch or a heat controller between the relay and the grips.

 

[rcb78]

Here's a little trick if you want to get creative and are halfway decent with electronics. Use an PWM LED dimmer that's rated for up to 5 amps and you now have an infinitely adjustable heat controller on those grips. I used this one from ebay on my last bike that didn't come with heated grips and couldn't have been happier with the results. It's got a 'positive' off position too so your relay can power on with the bike but you still get to choose when the grips come on and how hot in a clean looking setup.