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[TNCarters]

Looking at adding a heated gear outlet to my RGU.  Probably going to go the route of a new outlet off the battery terminals but curious about a different option.  The battery tender plug seems to be heavier on the stock plug than older add ons and I've seen adapters to use that plug for heated gear.  Whats the fuse amperage of the tender plug?  Could probably find it in my owner or service manual but have not stopped long enough to look.  Most older tender plugs were fused for less than 5 amps but I believe I've heard the stock one is higher.  I do not use much heated gear most times just the jacket liner.  Thinking of getting the shoe inserts as my feet get cold after several hours in sub 35 degree temps.  Guess I could just get some better insulated boots and socks.

[FLY-DOG]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-Tender-Ring-Terminal-Harness/15779496

Walmart has them (7.5 amp) according to the website.

[SneakyPete]

I just purchased the Gordon's heated gear liner, gloves and controller.  It comes with a battery tender type plug in for their clothing which I have installed directly to the battery like the tender harness.  The fuse for the clothing is 15 amp.

[TNCarters]

My RGU came with a tender plug pre-installed from the factory.  My question is, is this plug rated a high enough amperage to run heated gear as only about 3-5 amps is all that is needed for a battery tender but the heated gear would need 10-15 amps.  Part of the reason for asking is I traded my old heated gear plug-in with my old bike and having trouble finding another replacement harness locally. Guess I'll just online order one.

[FLSTFI Dave]

This is how I have done my last three bikes, which includes my 15 SERGU.  I run off the battery, and to a gerbing plug that is meant to be hard mounted.  I mount it in the left side air deflector by the tank.  Easy to plug in, and its a clean install.  My finger is holding the black cap out of the way. 

[Para Bellum]

My RGU came with a tender plug pre-installed from the factory.  My question is, is this plug rated a high enough amperage to run heated gear as only about 3-5 amps is all that is needed for a battery tender but the heated gear would need 10-15 amps.  Part of the reason for asking is I traded my old heated gear plug-in with my old bike and having trouble finding another replacement harness locally. Guess I'll just online order one.

I use the battery tender plug with an adapter (from flat SAE to coaxial).  Yes, the original fuse is too small, but I just replaced it with a 15 amp fuse.  No problems.

To use BT, just unplug from adapter and insert BT cable.

[grc]

The 2014 and later battery tender wire is connected to the P&A circuit, which has a 20 amp fuse in the fuse panel.  Verify by checking for power at the tender plug with and without the fuse in place rather than take my word for it.  However, that doesn't necessarily mean the tender wire is large enough to support 20 amps.  Check the wire gauge and make sure.  Nothing thinner than 16 gauge would be acceptable, and 14 gauge would be better, for a circuit longer than about 3 feet.

If it were me, I'd forget the tender harness and install a proper permanent Gerbing connector.  Yes, it takes more effort to do it right. 

Jerry

[YELLOWBIRD]

I just purchased the Gordon's heated gear liner, gloves and controller.  It comes with a battery tender type plug in for their clothing which I have installed directly to the battery like the tender harness.  The fuse for the clothing is 15 amp.

Also included is a LIFETIME warranty on the heated liner!!!



YB

[TNCarters]

Thanks Dave and Jerry. That's the way I'll go as don't want to melt the stock tender wire. I do like having a bit higher amp tender plug so I can use a tire pump or higher amp charger at times without causing fuses to blow.

[Para Bellum]

This discussion got my curiosity up, so I checked the size of my BT harness and Gerbing harness.  Both are the same size wire, 16 gauge, which is more than enough for 20 amps on a 3 foot run.  The BT harness came with a 7.5 amp fuse, and the Gerbing fuse holder is labeled "20 amp fuse max."  So there doesn't seem to be a problem with using the BT harness to power the heated gear.  Am I missing something here?

[grc]

This discussion got my curiosity up, so I checked the size of my BT harness and Gerbing harness.  Both are the same size wire, 16 gauge, which is more than enough for 20 amps on a 3 foot run.  The BT harness came with a 7.5 amp fuse, and the Gerbing fuse holder is labeled "20 amp fuse max."  So there doesn't seem to be a problem with using the BT harness to power the heated gear.  Am I missing something here?

The length in the chart I posted is for the total length of the circuit, from the source all the way through the entire circuit to ground.  The Battery Tender harness alone is at least three feet, then you have the Gerbing harness, plus the circuitry in the apparel, then all the way back to ground.  Yes, it might work with 16 gauge wire.  It would likely  work better with 14 gauge.  When in doubt, it's much better to err on the conservative side.

Exactly how much current does your gear draw?  And do you intend to piggyback additional items or upgrade to higher output gear in the future?  If the maximum total draw is only 10 amps for instance, I wouldn't be hesitant to use your method.  But the closer you get to the 20 amp level the more I would question it.

When I give advice to other people, I stick with the conservative approach.  Having a heavier gauge wire than the bare minimum required will never cause a problem, but doing it the other way can and will.  When auto makers or bike makers designate wiring size and fuse size for circuits, they leave a significant safety margin.  For instance, they don't expect to constantly run 20 amps through a circuit with a 20 amp fuse.  For example, if the total draw on a circuit operating normally is 10 to 15 amps, the circuit will be designed for 20.

Jerry

[Para Bellum]

The length in the chart I posted is for the total length of the circuit, from the source all the way through the entire circuit to ground.  The Battery Tender harness alone is at least three feet, then you have the Gerbing harness, plus the circuitry in the apparel, then all the way back to ground.  Yes, it might work with 16 gauge wire.  It would likely  work better with 14 gauge.  When in doubt, it's much better to err on the conservative side.

Exactly how much current does your gear draw?  And do you intend to piggyback additional items or upgrade to higher output gear in the future?  If the maximum total draw is only 10 amps for instance, I wouldn't be hesitant to use your method.  But the closer you get to the 20 amp level the more I would question it.

When I give advice to other people, I stick with the conservative approach.  Having a heavier gauge wire than the bare minimum required will never cause a problem, but doing it the other way can and will.  When auto makers or bike makers designate wiring size and fuse size for circuits, they leave a significant safety margin.  For instance, they don't expect to constantly run 20 amps through a circuit with a 20 amp fuse.  For example, if the total draw on a circuit operating normally is 10 to 15 amps, the circuit will be designed for 20.

Jerry

Thanks for laying it out.  I'm totally in favor of conservative, good margin-of-safety approaches.  It's been several years since I bought the array of heated gear I have now, so I don't remember the total amperage it's drawing.  I'm going to add it up again. 

In the meantime, if I need a heavier-gauge harness, does anyone have a source for it?

[TNCarters]

There is a wide assortment of heated gear harnesses at most on line stores. Lots of items by Gerbing and Tourmaster. Once you make the higher amp connection to battery everything from lighter sockets, bt socket and bmw socket are available. Cycle gear and HD have some limited items. I was having trouble finding the harness to battery local but found one left over from an older glove purchase.

[JCZ]

On my 04 SEEG, my 10 SESG and Terrie's 09 Street Glide Jim (hd-dude) used a samll piece of angle iron powder coated black and mounted to the frame just under the seat and then the larger BMW style plugs.  Rigid mounted and the larger plugs made it a lot easier to use single handed with gloves on when it came time to plug in.


You can see the rider's and passengers plugs mounted to the frame just under the seat in this pic.....   http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=40248.msg775235#msg775235

[VANAMAL]

Ditto on the bmw style plugs. I have them on both bikes,tenders,heated gear etc