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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | I found an electric vest (Eclipse brand. New with tags still on it.) at the local swap meet and I want to test it to make sure it works. The problem is it is an older unit and the connection will not fit in the power port in the trunk or front compartment. (1st pic) I can disconnect that connection and use the connecter that will fit the battery tender connector. (2nd pic). If I connect this way will it power the vest? or will it be a danger (ruin something). I want to check to see if the vest is working before buying the right connector. If it works it will be a great find If not I am only out 15 bucks.
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | The short answer is yes. The plug pictured is the standard heated gear Powerlet style that was standard on the original Visions----the type that so many people complained about before Victory gave in and changed to the inferior cigarette style socket............
It would plug right into my 2008 Vision.
The second picture shows a simple On/Off switch. I believe the Eclipse vests are only rated at 45 watts, so that may work fine as the heat will be limited, compared to something like a Warm-N-Safe (FirstGear) heated jacket liner, which is 90 watts, or a Gerbings jacket liner, which is 77 watts. You might be much happier with a more modern digital controller, but that'll set you back another $80 or more.
If you don't ride in really cold weather, the vest will work fine for you, but it won't give you any easy expansion options such as built in connectivity to heated pants or gloves like heated jackets do.
Ronnie |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | You livr in cal & you need a heated vest?!!! Just mess'n around.. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 70
Central Victoria, Australia | is it easy to convert back to the original hella style plug that was on the vision, a much better plug |
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | "You livr in cal & you need a heated vest?!!! Just mess'n around.." Yea I know. Especially since it is in the 80's right now. But since I ride year round and it gets down to the 30s in the winter, I am hoping it will be a cheap but good find. I mean 15 bucks, how could I pass it up.
Edited by BreadmanRo 2012-06-09 4:53 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | rdbudd, Thanks for the info. You are correct. This vest is a 45 watt vest according to what I found on it on the net. If it works I will get the right connectors from Powerlet. Hopefully it will be useful in that I will not need to layer as much and so cut down on bulk. I ride to work year round and it gets down to the 30s in winter. Not too worried about expansion as this is my first go with heated clothing. Hey for 15 bucks how could I pass it up. Even if I upgrade the the controller It is a bargain (if it works). Phil, What is the Hella plug? I am not familiar with that term
Edited by BreadmanRo 2012-06-09 5:10 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | The Hella plug is what is known as a BMW or Powerlet plug here in the USA. It is what is on the vest you're looking at. It is far superior to the cigarette style plug, since it is designed specifically to make and keep a high amperage connection. It is common in other parts of the world. Victory listened to the complaints from customers who wanted to use the inferior cigarette style socket, and changed from the Hella/Powerlet/BMW socket to the cigarette lighter socket. It was a step backwards.
You can get adapter inserts or adapter cords that let you use the Powerlet plug in a cigarette lighter socket. They run about $20. http://www.powerlet.com/product/cigarette-insert-to-powerlet-socket...
The Powerlet/Hella socket is smaller than the cigarette lighter socket, so replacing the cigarette sockets with the Powerlet/Hella would require making the mounting hole smaller.
Once you experience the joy of not being as cold (the heated vest), you'll be hooked on heated gear and then you'll be looking at heated jackets with the capability to plug heated gloves and/or heated pants in. The vest may seem like a bargain, but you may find you'll have it for sale yourself after you start wanting more (heat on your arms, legs, neck, hands, feet). After being spoiled a bit, you'll want more.
Ronnie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | Ronnie, Thanks for the link. That will work. I just plugged in the vest to the battery and Eureka! it warmed up nicely. I will get the connector. I look forward to using it in the winter. You are probably right. Everyone I talk to about heated gear loves it. I'm just glad I can start out with such a bargain. (especially since the wife says I've been spending a lot on the bike lately. Even she was happy about this find) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | You're welcome. I started using heated gear many years ago, with a Widder vest. Widder invented the whole idea of heated motorcycle gear. It was made in the USA, Ventura, California. Gerbing came out with a Chinese made copy and ultimately came to dominate the market by using their much greater profit margin to do a lot of advertising. Widder eventually went out of business after the passing of the founder, who was a WWII bomber crewman and believed in making things in the USA...............
Put that vest on your wife and take her for a ride on a cool day. She will be begging you to get her a heated jacket of her own. My wife loves to ride, but wouldn't go if the temps were expected to be below 50, and we have good riding gear. Now that she has the full setup of jacket, pants, and gloves, she won't be left behind. She even goes on our annual New Year's Day rides now, and the temps are often below freezing when we leave.
We use heated liners and they go on all of our trips regardless of the weather or time of year. Last year, we left SW Missouri in 103 degree heat, which stayed with us all the way across Kansas and eastern Colorado. The temps were in the 60s and 70s going north from Durango, with dips lower at times, especially in the early morning. She had her heated jacket on once we got to the mountains, and was happy. When we went over Beartooth Pass, it was 41 degrees and sleeting. We rode over the Pass again the next morning when it was clear and cold. The heated gear made the ride very enjoyable. The point is, we experienced temperatures ranging from the low 40s to 103 all in a 10 day trip, and the heated gear made it possible to leave the bulky outergear home and we were warmer with the heated gear than we would have been with just the heavy outergear alone. You've started down the path of enlightenment. Enjoy.
Ronnie |
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Can I connect this to the battery to test?
