I have a question about heated grips

[Judd]

 I installed some cheapy Cycle Gear heated grips on my FJR. I noticed that they use a resister/ballast resister on the "low setting" side to cut voltage to the "low" side of a three way switch. I didn't give it much thought at the time and went about installing the heated grips. I'm somewhat anal about the neatness and workmanship of whatever I'm installing and made sure that everything is tidy and tucked away/hidden if possible. I hid the wiring harness {including the sorta big resistor} behind some plastic panels on the bike.

 Now after thinking about it for awhile, I'm wondering just how hot that resister gets while dissipating whatever voltage is needed while on the "low" setting. Will it get hot enough to cause a problem behind the plastic panels considering that there will be no air flow back there to aid in cooling the resistor down? I tried the grips out of course but since it was raining all day, I didn't really have them on all that long. Just long enough to make sure they worked {long enough to notice that the left side doesn't get near as warm as the throttle side presumably since the right side elements are placed directly onto the metal, the throttle side is applied to the plastic throttle tube} and like I said, I wasn't really thinking about how hot the resistor got so I didn't even check it.

 I really don't want to find out the "hard way" that the resistor gets hot enough to melt or warp plastic panels. Anyone with any experience with this?



 BTW,,, what do ya'll use to "glue" the grips back on after reinstalling them? Mine are a bit loose without glue. Remember too, the glue has to be heat resistant also.

[airborneXX]

I used Honda grip cement on mine with good results.

I also used the Dual Star grip heaters which are also cheap but have no resistor. I wrapped a couple of layers of electrical tape around the left bar as an insulator and both sides are very even now.

[RickC1957]

If I remember the install instruction that came with the Dual Star grips it recommends hi-heat 2 part epoxy, I went down to ACE bought one good to 400 F which according to dual start isn't enough, but used it anyway....no problems, been over a year. I put all the wiring and switch on the back side of the "bat wing" on the ST3....again no problems.

[Judd]

 Thanks for the info,will try the Honda stuff I reckon.

[Uncle Bob]

I would avoid any direct contact between the resistor and anything that melts.  Plastic or harness looms.  Other than that, there isn't much heat radiation, as long as there's no contact, you're fine.

I personally find the low settings on most grips to be useless.  Now a days when I install them on a bike of mine, I leave the low setting portion of it out.  Much cleaner install

[mtrider16]

I went with the Symtec grip heater from Chaparrel, as I need to watch my power draw.  A resistor type "low position" uses about the same amount of power weather it is on high or low.

+1 with Uncle Bob on keeping the resistor away from stuff that can melt.

David

[Against The Wind]

I personally find the low settings on most grips to be useless.

My Dual Stars are too hot on the "High" setting. I mostly use the "Low" setting only.

[MuddDawg]

No need to wrap the bars with Dual-Stars any more. They modified them and you fit the to the specific side (clutch v.s. Throttle) and they will be even.  Unless you have Aluminum bars then you need to insulate,so the heat transfers correctly.

[Nesbocaj]

  I'd still put heatshrink on the clutch side. Alum sucks heat big-time.

  Wire wrap the resistor to the aluminum shroud away from the plastic on the FJR.

[greench440]

An excellent write up of one rider's experience with three different types of grip heaters.  Discussion of the differences, performance and wiring tips as well.

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=15264

Looks like the dual stars with heat troller is the ticket.

[PhilBiker]

Now after thinking about it for awhile, I'm wondering just how hot that resister gets while dissipating whatever voltage is needed while on the "low" setting. Will it get hot enough to cause a problem behind the plastic panels considering that there will be no air flow back there to aid in cooling the resistor down?

YES!!!  If it's anything like the resistor on my (also cheapy) Kimpex grips it will get very damn hot indeed when the grips are on the lower setting.

[PhilBiker]

I personally find the low settings on most grips to be useless.

I have noticed the same thing with my Kimpex grips.

[Windblown]

Re Glue: I don't know if it will work due to the heat but I use clear coat spray paint to attach grips.  Shake up can, spray into grip, apply.  

Never had one come loose. Advantages are neat and easy to install, easy too break loose when you need new grips.

[Judd]

Re Glue: I don't know if it will work due to the heat but I use clear coat spray paint to attach grips.  Shake up can, spray into grip, apply.  

Never had one come loose. Advantages are neat and easy to install, easy too break loose when you need new grips.

 Good idea! Someone told me about hairspray, heck I think the clear coat is even better. Thanks.

[RaiderSix]

I installed Dual-Star heaters on my bike a few days ago. I used their threebond grip cement and some Renthal medium compound half waffle grips. Apparently they got so hot it split my left grip like a ball park frank. Poke it with a fork...   (Oh, the threebond glue skins over very fast. It still gives you plenty of time to position the grip. Do yourself a favor and wear a glove to apply the glue. I had a yellow index finger for three days.)

[PhilBiker]

Time for some new grips I suppose.......  I recommend barrel-shaped grips, they are VERY comfortable!!!!

[Sock Puppet]

No need to wrap the bars with Dual-Stars any more. They modified them and you fit the to the specific side (clutch v.s. Throttle) and they will be even.  Unless you have Aluminum bars then you need to insulate,so the heat transfers correctly.

I've had the same experience with the new Symtec heated grips I just installed on my SV.  They seem to be about even without wrapping the clutch side.

[FoolishMortal]

I haven't had any issues with plastic and the heat on either bike (SV1000s and Sprint ST).

[photomd]

I know this isn't a popular way of doin' it...I don't glue any of my grips, including the dirtbike. Sometimes I'll safety wire the dirtbike, but as long as the grips have never had glue and the bars are clean, I put them on with an air compressor and ride. I did this with Dual Stars on my VFR and never had a problem. They didn't rotate or slip and changing grips just required the compressor...about 2 minutes to change.  

[FoolishMortal]

I know this isn't a popular way of doin' it...I don't glue any of my grips, including the dirtbike. Sometimes I'll safety wire the dirtbike, but as long as the grips have never had glue and the bars are clean, I put them on with an air compressor and ride. I did this with Dual Stars on my VFR and never had a problem. They didn't rotate or slip and changing grips just required the compressor...about 2 minutes to change.  

Pardon my ignorance, but..."with a compressor"?  

[photomd]

Pardon my ignorance, but..."with a compressor"?  

Slip the grip on the very end of the bar, put an air gun on your compressor line, slide the gun under the edge of the grip, inflate and slide in one motion. Grip installed!