Question about heated vest?
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 951
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Canada
Question about heated vest?
I bought a heated liner from http://www.heatedclothingoutlet.com and I'm not sure if it's working properly. Some of you might laugh but I expected to feel the heat from the liner when I plug it in and I don't. I don't have a temperature controller yet. I changed the fuse to a 10 amp which is more than enough for one liner. I wish there was a light to show me that it's working.
Now for the laughing part: I live in Canada and the temperature was less than 50 degrees this evening. I wanted to feel cold so I took off my windshield and went out for a ride with only a windbreaker over the liner (no leather). My fingers were numb, my eyes and nose were running and I still didn't feel cold. Maybe I didn't need to buy the heated liner?????
But seriously, how long does it take before the liner heats up? Are we supposed to feel the heat when you touch it? Is there anyway I can test that the power is reaching the liner?
Thanks.
Now for the laughing part: I live in Canada and the temperature was less than 50 degrees this evening. I wanted to feel cold so I took off my windshield and went out for a ride with only a windbreaker over the liner (no leather). My fingers were numb, my eyes and nose were running and I still didn't feel cold. Maybe I didn't need to buy the heated liner?????
But seriously, how long does it take before the liner heats up? Are we supposed to feel the heat when you touch it? Is there anyway I can test that the power is reaching the liner?
Thanks.
Last edited by Softail Girl; Oct 7, 2008 at 08:53 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 1
From: White Rock BC
Hi Linda, I agree with the other poster, the vest needs to feel snug against your body and it should feel warm within 2-3 minutes of you riding with it on. I wear mine over a tshirt or long sleeved shirt and then another layer (hoodie) or leather jacket over top. If you don't feel warm after 2-3 mins riding, bring it back.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 3
From: Collegeville, PA
If you are running the liner straight to the battery with no thermostat you should feel the heat within minutes of powering it up.
Try this: If you run the vest material through your fingers you should feel where the heating wires run through it. Hook it up to the battery while the bike is in the garage. The bike doesn't need to be running. You should feel that heating wire begin to get warm in just a minute or so. If it doesn't, you either have a problem with the vest, or a problem with how you have it wired.
Since you onlyhad the vest on with no jacket over it on a 50 degree day I'm not surprised that it didn't make you feel warm. The heat all radiated out. THe electric clothing works best if worn over a light shirt and under an insulated jacket
Try this: If you run the vest material through your fingers you should feel where the heating wires run through it. Hook it up to the battery while the bike is in the garage. The bike doesn't need to be running. You should feel that heating wire begin to get warm in just a minute or so. If it doesn't, you either have a problem with the vest, or a problem with how you have it wired.
Since you onlyhad the vest on with no jacket over it on a 50 degree day I'm not surprised that it didn't make you feel warm. The heat all radiated out. THe electric clothing works best if worn over a light shirt and under an insulated jacket
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
Bought wife a Widder heated vest. Best thing since sliced bread! She wore it for 2 years, then bought a full electric jacket liner.
Myth, thermostats only regulate the temperature by turning the jacket on and off. They run at full power, then off, then on again. She has a manual switch on hers. Turn it on till she is warm and toasty, then turn it off. You need to wear it as closly to your body as possible, with a jacket to keep the heat in. Needs to be a little snug to be most affective. It is just wires inside that heat up.
Myth, thermostats only regulate the temperature by turning the jacket on and off. They run at full power, then off, then on again. She has a manual switch on hers. Turn it on till she is warm and toasty, then turn it off. You need to wear it as closly to your body as possible, with a jacket to keep the heat in. Needs to be a little snug to be most affective. It is just wires inside that heat up.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Another thing...don't wear too much under the liner, you need to layer over it. One layer of clothing under the liner is enough, or your clothing will insulate your body from the heat. FYI, my Gerbings vest liner (which I thing is the brand that the outlet sells) can zip all the way up to the chin, so there's vest against bare skin up there. You'll definitely feel the heat on your chin if the vest is working, especially since you don't have a temp. controller which means your vest is always at full throttle.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Now for the laughing part: I live in Canada and the temperature was less than 50 degrees this evening. I wanted to feel cold so I took off my windshield and went out for a ride with only a windbreaker over the liner (no leather). My fingers were numb, my eyes and nose were running and I still didn't feel cold. Maybe I didn't need to buy the heated liner?????
Thanks.
Thanks.
sounds to me.... that the liner was working ok....
I agree about layers.... with MY Gerbing Jacket liner, I wear a cotton turtle neck,(the collar wears against my neck) and then the liner. than my jacket... and I'm toasty
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 4
From: Staten Island, NY
I have a "Gerbing" heated jacket. I wear a thin long sleeve shirt and then my leather, I also have the T- Stat for it - comfort reasons. I read in the directions not to keep it on while the bike is not running, it could drain the bikes battery ant then you would be stuck. Don't want that now. As far as the heat i usully feel in with in 15 to 30 seconds then I tone down the stat. Enjoy the cooler riding season.............Chris
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 12
From: Parkton, Maryland
Bought wife a Widder heated vest. Best thing since sliced bread! She wore it for 2 years, then bought a full electric jacket liner.
Myth, thermostats only regulate the temperature by turning the jacket on and off. They run at full power, then off, then on again. She has a manual switch on hers. Turn it on till she is warm and toasty, then turn it off. You need to wear it as closly to your body as possible, with a jacket to keep the heat in. Needs to be a little snug to be most affective. It is just wires inside that heat up.
Myth, thermostats only regulate the temperature by turning the jacket on and off. They run at full power, then off, then on again. She has a manual switch on hers. Turn it on till she is warm and toasty, then turn it off. You need to wear it as closly to your body as possible, with a jacket to keep the heat in. Needs to be a little snug to be most affective. It is just wires inside that heat up.
