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Hooking up heated gear???

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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 01:40 PM
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Question Hooking up heated gear???

That time of year and removed the seat of my 17 RGS to hook up my pigtail. Really? What a bunch of stuff they stuffed in there. I have no intention in buying a service manual for this bike as I will most likely only do fluid changes on my own. Anything else will either be done by HD with what I hope will never be a warranty issue or Indy for anything else. That all being said can someone please tell me what I need to do to get at the battery terminals?


 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 01:45 PM
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The big square thing in the middle with the white label on it is your ECM. You need to remove it, and the battery is right underneath it.

There are black plastic tabs or clips, near the corners. You can see them directly above and below the skinny little white label. Carefully pull them back and the ECM will pop loose. Carefully move it out of the way, and you'll be able to see the two battery posts.

When removing the cables so you can hook up your pigtails, be careful not to drop nuts, etc.. If they don't fall all the way to the floor, you're gonna be hatin' life.

Be patient, don't yank on things, you'll be fine.
 

Last edited by IdahoHacker; Oct 30, 2017 at 01:47 PM.
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 01:47 PM
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I use the plug that is used for the trickle charger. No need to put another one on.
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Neisserj1
I use the plug that is used for the trickle charger. No need to put another one on.
Lots of guys do that. The instructions for my heated gear specifically said DO NOT do that. Apparently that connector isn't designed for the amount of current that heated gear can draw if you've got it all turned up to "High".

Of course, if all you're using is gloves, I'm sure you'll be fine.
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by IdahoHacker
Lots of guys do that. The instructions for my heated gear specifically said DO NOT do that. Apparently that connector isn't designed for the amount of current that heated gear can draw if you've got it all turned up to "High".

Of course, if all you're using is gloves, I'm sure you'll be fine.
That used to be true before the 17's came out with high output charging so you're fine. I use it for everything no problems.
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 02:28 PM
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All you need to do it look at the wire size, if the wires for your heated gear are twice the gauge of the trickle charger then by all means hook it up. If not, don't worry about it.

I use that trickle charger for heated vest, gloves and then we have a cord that also heats the wife's gear, all from that same little hook up.
We use Hotwired gear
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by IdahoHacker
The big square thing in the middle with the white label on it is your ECM. You need to remove it, and the battery is right underneath it.

There are black plastic tabs or clips, near the corners. You can see them directly above and below the skinny little white label. Carefully pull them back and the ECM will pop loose. Carefully move it out of the way, and you'll be able to see the two battery posts.

When removing the cables so you can hook up your pigtails, be careful not to drop nuts, etc.. If they don't fall all the way to the floor, you're gonna be hatin' life.

Be patient, don't yank on things, you'll be fine.

Thanks and I got it done. Yeah, knew about the ECM as my 08 had one. Can't remember about the 05 but 01 surely not. There was a bit more to it and I guess it just looked a bit more intimidating with all the secured connectors.

As far as using the battery tender cable would not be possible with my connector type without being modified. Plus I may at times put the cable into overload with all 4 pieces of heated gear.

Now I am ready for a toasty ride!!!
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 03:42 PM
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I just made a 12v cigarette lighter plug to SAE or coax female plug adaptor and run it off the accessory plug in the left side fairing. It can handle 15 amps. My Warm&Safe jacket liner is 90 watts/7.5 amps on full throttle which I have never used that high.


Harley will be glad to sell you an accessory hook up harness with an unswitched hot lead for about $30. It fits under the right side cover, the number ends with 99. Useless for anything but Harley accessories. Useless directions included. I have one, never even installed it.
Or, you could just rig up an accessory fuse block like in this diagram, costs less than $20. I have had this setup on one of my other bikes for 14 years, works great. It allows you to connect multiple fused, switched accessories. Of course, on your RGS, you already have the "Battery Tender" lead, so you really do not need that.
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 06:51 PM
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This video is pretty good
http://twowheelobsession.com/2016/01...rley-davidson/
 
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Old Oct 30, 2017 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by IdahoHacker
The big square thing in the middle with the white label on it is your ECM. You need to remove it, and the battery is right underneath it.

There are black plastic tabs or clips, near the corners. You can see them directly above and below the skinny little white label. Carefully pull them back and the ECM will pop loose. Carefully move it out of the way, and you'll be able to see the two battery posts.

When removing the cables so you can hook up your pigtails, be careful not to drop nuts, etc.. If they don't fall all the way to the floor, you're gonna be hatin' life.

Be patient, don't yank on things, you'll be fine.
Originally Posted by nobodyknowsme
Thanks and I got it done. Yeah, knew about the ECM as my 08 had one. Can't remember about the 05 but 01 surely not. There was a bit more to it and I guess it just looked a bit more intimidating with all the secured connectors.

As far as using the battery tender cable would not be possible with my connector type without being modified. Plus I may at times put the cable into overload with all 4 pieces of heated gear.

Now I am ready for a toasty ride!!!
Glad you got it all hooked up! You're gonna love riding with heated gear. It can be 30 outside, and breezy, and it's beyond amazing to be riding along feeling toasty warm.

Enjoy!
 
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