Adding electrical components
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Stage I
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 1
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From: Barre, VT
Adding electrical components
Hi Folks. I own a 2013 FXDF and I want to connect a GPS and some heated gloves / jacket etc. directly to the bike's electrical system. I understand that I need to calculate the power output of the bike vs. the requirements of the stuff that I want to add. What I need to know is the easiest way to adapt the electrical system to the toys. Is it as simple as adding some type of splitter to the bike's battery pigtail? Or, is there more to it? If it's a simple job to do, can anyone provide me with the specific electrical part number of the component that I would need? Thanks for your help.
martinf15
martinf15
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
I haven't connected anything that needs substantial current but what I have done is connect a USB output and a GPS (satnav). I made a "Y" lead that plugs in to the running light wires that go to the indicators. Now one side still goes to the running light and the free side powers the devices.
I can remove them with nothing messed up in the wiring loom.
Power goes off when the bike is turned off.
You could do something similar for the heated gear but use the running light power to energise a relay. The power to the switched contact coming from the battery.
I can remove them with nothing messed up in the wiring loom.
Power goes off when the bike is turned off.
You could do something similar for the heated gear but use the running light power to energise a relay. The power to the switched contact coming from the battery.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Dec 24, 2025 at 04:24 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 167
Likes: 55
From: New England, Maine
Get a fused fuse block like an Eastern Beaver PC-8. Wire it direct to the battery and run a trigger wire to your taillight so it turns on with the key. This is the clean and safe way to power multiple accessories.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,144
Likes: 12,709
From: South Carolina
I connected my heated gear plug directly to battery posts.
Not a lot of space to fit a relay on that bike.
On the dyna I suggest following Andy`s suggestion for the Y cable.
Not a lot of space to fit a relay on that bike.
On the dyna I suggest following Andy`s suggestion for the Y cable.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,115
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
FYI, going through this with a gent on a shovel and his heated gear & gadget's not letting the battery get a full charge, put a later 32 amp later system in before he started adding stuff. Homework says a minimum of a 38 amp for a vest & gloves in heated gear, the cycle electric 50 & 55 amp systems are suggested. Just mentioning this as I'm not up on the charging system specs of the later machines. Killed his 5 month old battery. Guys a tech nerd so he loves his gadgets, this is going in to handle the add-ons with the CE 3ph 38 amp charging system.
https://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/tb/
https://www.healtech-electronics.com/products/tb/
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