Controlling temperature of DIY heated clothing

[ELIMINATOR]

I've just bought this kit, http://www.heat4jackets.com/index.html . A question for you all, what is the best method to control it, if it gets too hot?

1) Pull the plug out of the socket. (Tedious)

2) Wire ina switch. (slightly less tedious)

3) Fit a potentiometer. (so that the output can be controlled)

4) Thermostat.

no 4 would seem the best option, but I have no idea where to source such an item, come to that I don't for the potentiometer either!

 

[ianboydsnr]

I tried the controllers, had a switch that operated through the socket, so the switch was on the bike, and you could switch on and off, but I changed bike and now I just use the heated waistcoat as an extra layer, then I stop and plug in when cold, if its cold enough to need it on, then you generally just leave it on, did consider buying a thermostat, but they seemed expensive at £30 to £40

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I suppose as I've yet to try it, even make it If it doesn't get too hot anyway, there'll be no need to switch it off, as you say.

 

[ebbo]

I was thinking of using one of these K8004 Pulse Width Modulator Kits made by Vellerman, cost around £20

I don’t think its an original idea, but I thought wiring this up in line with the front socket on the bike with the controller panel mounted by it would be a neat solution (just don't go over the 6.5a limit which is 91w @14v )

 

[Steptoe]

3) Fit a potentiometer. (so that the output can be controlled)

come to that I don't for the potentiometer either!

Thats what i fitted with the same kit you've bought - Someone on the board used to sell them. The same unit as used by chilli heated clothing. Cost about £12.

 

[nick.ct]

I was thinking of using one of these K8004 Pulse Width Modulator Kits made by Vellerman, cost around £20

I don’t think its an original idea, but I thought wiring this up in line with the front socket on the bike with the controller panel mounted by it would be a neat solution (just don't go over the 6.5a limit which is 91w @14v )

PWM is the way to go, BUT, on a bike with Canbus electrics, I can see the rapid switching of the PWM controller causing some confusion to the Canbus system. What bike are you intending to use it with?

Nick

 

[ianboydsnr]

Thats what i fitted with the same kit you've bought - Someone on the board used to sell them. The same unit as used by chilli heated clothing. Cost about £12.

me to, it was what I had controlling a socket, on my fazer 1000, when I sold it I removed it, now I just plug the heated kit in when I get cold and unplug when I am to warm, which is usually the next time I stop.

a two position rocker switch, with one side going through a resistor, would be my solution, but it never was that much of an issue

 

[everywherevirtually]

How easy / hard are those kits to use? The electrics seem straightforward enough. I'm more interested in what piece of clothing you'd use. Is there enough wire to thread the arms and torso?

I'd be interested to see some photos if you have some when you've put yours together.

Cheers

Jon

 

[ebbo]

PWM is the way to go, BUT, on a bike with Canbus electrics, I can see the rapid switching of the PWM controller causing some confusion to the Canbus system. What bike are you intending to use it with?

Nick

1200RT, but maybe feed direct from the battery as my rear power socket is

 

[karlp]

An interesting way to do it (but hasten to add that I have not tried it) is to use a controller like the one supplied by Oxford to control their heated grips.

All I know is that the max setting is approx 4 amps.

The advantage is - it is waterproof - easy to use

just a suggestion - it may be totally useless.

 

[Steptoe]

How easy / hard are those kits to use? The electrics seem straightforward enough. I'm more interested in what piece of clothing you'd use. Is there enough wire to thread the arms and torso?

I'd be interested to see some photos if you have some when you've put yours together.

Cheers

Jon

i used mine in a fleeced inner track suit top. threaded the heating element inbetween the two. Easily enough for the arms, torso and neck.
Had a second kit and did the same to some track suit bottoms.
All powered through a chilli clothing temperature thermostat.

Combined with a shitebag ( gaucho) it worked well enough down to -6 for a few hundred miles on one particular trip.

 

[vilguy]

you could just buy the keis heated jacket controller so it would just plug in.. no messing. they are £30 from memory.

Theres a guy on ebay who does the heated elements woven into a nice fleece for £30 too.

Im installing a heating carbon sheeting element into my caponord seat for mmmmmmm hot nuts

 

[everywherevirtually]

Combined with a shitebag ( gaucho) it worked well enough down to -6 for a few hundred miles on one particular trip.

Thanks for all that info Steptoe. I'm quite keen now to start this as my next project.

Im installing a heating carbon sheeting element into my caponord seat for mmmmmmm hot nuts

careful you don't end up with boil in the bag nuts and come out with the stewed plums scenario

 

[Klanky]

I've just bought one of those DIY kits from heat4jackets myself. Haven't done anything with it yet, but I'd be interested to hear if anyone sources a suitable potentiometer.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I tried sewing it into my Hein gericke liner today, then I decided that I should use something alse as it wasn't looking too good.Perhaps something slighlty thicker is needed.

 

[Klanky]

I tried sewing it into my Hein gericke liner today, then I decided that I should use something alse as it wasn't looking too good.Perhaps something slighlty thicker is needed.

Hmmm. My plan is to get hold of a £20-ish fleece/quilted jacket similar to what Steptoe described. Or I may even try it with one of those quilted lumberjack work shirts, they're not too bulky and would fit under my leather jacket a treat.

Arrr, the nights be closing in.....

 

[ebbo]

I tried sewing it into my Hein gericke liner today, then I decided that I should use something alse as it wasn't looking too good.Perhaps something slighlty thicker is needed.

If you sow the wiring in to a coat lining, and it’s a bit loose fitting you’ll lose a heap of heat, it works best when the wiring is quite snug to you body so the heat can transfer over to you.

Sown to the inside of a close fitting waistcoat would be ideal, especially if you just wore a single thin layer under it.

 

[jonesai]

I went the heat4jacket route and sewed it into my HG thermal liner.The problem is the liner is too loose a fit around my body and heat is lost so not 100% succesful. Looking back by the time I bought the heat4jacket kit,the time to sew it in, go for and wire in connectors (using iffy tamiya ones from Maplin) and paid a local auto electrician to wire up a switch I would have been better buying an off the shelf, snug fitting jacket, from Keiss or Gerbings or somewhere. Also find that my bum gets cold. So now need either a heated seat or heated trouser liners or a car .

 

[Myke Rocks]

PWM & canbus

PWM is the way to go, BUT, on a bike with Canbus electrics, I can see the rapid switching of the PWM controller causing some confusion to the Canbus system. What bike are you intending to use it with?

Nick

Can't see why, since many components on the bike are already PWM controlled. E.G. Fuel pump, relar light, front sidelight.
myke

 

[Kevin1626]

i used mine in a fleeced inner track suit top. threaded the heating element inbetween the two. Easily enough for the arms, torso and neck.
Had a second kit and did the same to some track suit bottoms.
All powered through a chilli clothing temperature thermostat.

Combined with a shitebag ( gaucho) it worked well enough down to -6 for a few hundred miles on one particular trip.

Good photo !! I hope you were warmer than it looks. If anybody has an idea of where I can get the controller, I'd appreciate it. Thanks. Wouldn't mind having a go at one of these kits. Would the controller have to be mounted on the handlebars ?

Cheers,
Kev