Static shock from heated jacket liner

[Gary856]

Just received my first ever heated jacket liner from Amazon. I chose this due to its low price ($131 w/ tax), which includes a built in 3-setting temp controller so no need to pay another $60-$90 for a separate controller.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008I1H5X8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I tried it on and got a surprise. As I took off the jacket liner (unplugged), the liner rubbing against my shirt must have generated some static electricity which traveled down the internal wires in the sleeves, and I got zapped in both arms. This is wild! My wife tried and felt it too, but I found only one review on Amazon mentioning this. I can only try taking it off slower to minimize the static build up, or ground the liner (how, though?) as I take it off. Or try anti-static spray.

Has anyone heard of or experienced this?

 

[NoTraffic]

Never heard of this but I guess you could put one hand on a metal part when sliding out of your liner. I guess it's a sure fire way to "warm up".

 

[LakeMerrit]

Kinky. Sounds more like a feature than a bug.

 

[kurth83]

Don't pump gas wearing that thing, otherwise probably fine, spray, grounding, or wait for winter to rain should do it.

If the spray would work I would be tempted to try that.

 

[Slow Goat]

Tumble that f’er in your dryer set on low with a couple of dryer sheets for five minutes - no mo shocky!

 

[Gary856]

I asked about this on Amazon and got the following reply from the "manufacturer":

"Hi.. Typically the static is caused by the dry outside air in conjunction with the heating mechanism inside (like in the room with central heat.). Some of our staff use anti-static spray on the jacket and that tend to help."

That's what I figured. I'm just surprised that I've never heard of this from other heated gear users and had to find this out first hand. I wonder if this is unique to Venture Heat due to their liner's fabric (a light nylon shell), or common among other brands like Warm-n-Safe, Gerbin, First Gear, etc.

 

[kurth83]

It may matter what you are wearing under the shell, like a wool sweater perhaps.

 

[nomi]

You get what you pay for.

Gerbings and Warm & Safe heated clothing don’t shock you.

 

[fubar929]

You get what you pay for.

Gerbings and Warm & Safe heated clothing don’t shock you.

This. I've never felt even a hint of static electricity from my Warm & Safe jacket liner...

 

[bobl]

No shocks from my Hot Wired jacket liner from Cycle Gear either.

 

[EastBayDave]

I don't think it's "static." I think you might be getting jolted there?

Best check & double-check all connections/wire protective covers...

 

[ST Guy]

You get what you pay for.

Gerbings and Warm & Safe heated clothing don’t shock you.

This. And only three settings? That's inadequate. You'll want a real controller so you can dial in the heat you want exactly. Since it's from Amazon, I'd return it and get a good jacket and a real controller. It will be worth whatever little more it will cost you.

 

[Gary856]

Did some reading on materials and static charge:

https://school-for-champions.com/science/static_materials.htm#.W-cvZy-ZOEI

- Dry skin, Nylon: tend to gain positive charge.
- Cotton: neutral.
- Polyester: tends to gain negative charge.

The Venture Heat liner's label shows: 100% Nylon outer shell, 100% polyester lining.

When dry skin rubs against polyester clothing, the skin builds up a "+" charge, and the polyester clothing builds up a "-" charge. Makes sense, but when I experienced the shock, I had a cotton undershirt and a cotton dress shirt on, so it wasn't bare skin rubbing against the polyester lining...

On with experiments. I've rubbed a fabric softener sheet against the liner. I'll go for a ride and we'll see if this fixes it.

 

[MapleRoad]

You're gonna die.

 

[NorCal_SV650S]

Maybe once it is plugged in the wire since it is grounded will prevent the static...I would return it for a tour master or gerbing

 

[Gary856]

Another anti-static trick I read is to spread a dollop of hand lotion over the interior of the liner. The idea of all these anti-static measures is to make the fabric slightly conductive to drain away the charge and prevent static build up. Based on that, my theory is static shock is more likely when the garment is brand new and clean, but as it's worn and gets a little soiled (i.e., dirt, sweat, body oil) it gets less staticky.

After wearing the Venture Heat liner for several hours in yesterday's ride, I tried a couple of times but didn't feel the static shock from the liner. It could be due to the fabric softener sheet rub, or the higher temperature and moisture level when the liner was worn over the body for a while. (Lower temperature and humidity = more static.)

Maybe once it is plugged in the wire since it is grounded will prevent the static...

I thought of doing that but haven't, 'cause that's not the normal use scenario - dismount, unplug, remove jacket, remove liner.

 

[moto-rama]

On low-humidity days I get shocks from all kinds of things, my car door, the key on my FJR gave me a jolt the other day, clothing, appliances, even my cat and I have exchanged jolts.

I don't trust wind or electricity, you can't see them and they are always up to something.