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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: oregonrider89 on November 18, 2017, 09:40:48 PM

Title: Heated grips for FX
Post by: oregonrider89 on November 18, 2017, 09:40:48 PM
Hello,

Has anyone put heated grips on an FX? Where is the connector located and what type of connector is it?

Many thanks!
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 20, 2017, 12:42:46 AM
I'm going to be doing that over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I plan to use the auxiliary connector and run it to a terminal block where I can connect my heated grips, Stebel horn, and power outlet.  I may have to also upgrade some wiring.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: ESokoloff on November 20, 2017, 08:49:41 AM
I'm going to be doing that over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I plan to use the auxiliary connector and run it to a terminal block where I can connect my heated grips, Stebel horn, and power outlet.  I may have to also upgrade some wiring.

My advice on the horn is you may not have enough current to power that horn as it is let alone with all the other accessories drawing current. (But aparintly some have used & gotten away with higher then rated horns).
I went with lower draw duel magnet horns on my 06 DSR that kept me below the Aux circuit's current rating.

Use a DPDT relay for the horn & power the horn from the N.O. contact & your other (hi draw) accessorys via the N.C. contact that way you'll minimize the current draw to just the horn when you toot it.




Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 20, 2017, 09:45:07 PM
Thanks for the information.  Yes, I know I need to use a relay with the Stebel horn, but I'm not familiar with the N.O. and N.C. contacts that you referenced.  Can you please elaborate on that.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: Doug S on November 21, 2017, 02:10:25 AM
"N.O." means "Normally Open" and "N.C." means, you guessed it, "Normally Closed". When you don't have the horn button pressed down ("Normal" operation), the Common pin is connected to the heated grips and power outlet on the NC pin, not to the horn on the NO pin. When you press the horn button ("Abnormal operation"?), power momentarily cuts to the grips and power outlet, so you don't draw way too much current when the horn sounds.

ESokoloff also recommended a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) relay, but a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) will work fine, and is a little bit cheaper. You don't need to switch the ground leads, in fact those devices should be hard-wired to ground.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 21, 2017, 03:04:22 AM
Okay, I think I have that, but I just read this on the Zero Unofficial Manual - Common Modifications:  "The handle bar changes in 2015 made the handgrips non-transferable."

Does that mean I can't use the Oxford heated grips I bought.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: ESokoloff on November 21, 2017, 09:36:04 AM
.......

ESokoloff also recommended a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) relay, but a SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) will work fine, and is a little bit cheaper. You don't need to switch the ground leads, in fact those devices should be hard-wired to ground.

Oppps!!! Your right, Single pole is what I meant but I’m so used to DP relays not SP so that’s what I typed.

Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 21, 2017, 09:53:01 PM
Okay after doing some more reading it appears that the statement from the unofficial manual means the throttle control themselves aren't interchangeable because of the manufacturer/type change in 2015.  The rubber hand grip should come off of the throttle sleeve just like on any other motorcycle so I shouldn't have any problem with removing the old hand grips and slipping on the new heated grips.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: NEW2elec on November 21, 2017, 11:19:01 PM
I've never used any of these grips but I was wondering if they were worth the effort.
My cold weather gloves are thick and insulted so I don't know how much heat I would feel from a heated grip.  Good gloves and bark buster style hand guards to block the wind should work in most colder riding days.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 22, 2017, 12:22:13 AM
Personally I consider heated grips a must for winter riding since on really cold days my winter gloves just don't seem to cut it.  I use them with insulated handlebar mitts over my hand guards. The mitts are sort of like Hippo Hands but not as bulky.  The heated grips inside of the mitts creates something like a small oven.  I think the hands are the most vulnerable part of your body when it comes to winter riding.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 22, 2017, 03:16:38 AM
Question for the electrical gurus.  If I use a SPDT relay as mentioned and connect my terminal block to the NC pin on the relay and the horn to the NO pin, then power to the terminal block (and all accessories connected to it) will be momentarily disrupted when the horn is pressed, correct?  I mean that's the whole point of the SPDT relay, right?  I'm not sure I like that solution.  Is there any way to increase the amp capacity on the auxiliary plug connector?   What is the limiting factor?  Is it a fuse, wire gauge, firmware, etc.  Any other solutions?

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: ESokoloff on November 22, 2017, 09:45:33 AM
(http://www.reuk.co.uk//OtherImages/5-pin-12V-automotive-relay.jpg)
This is a typical automotive SPDT relay.
30 is the Common & & will connect to the Aux. power.
87A is Normally Closed & will power your other high current accessories. 
87 is Normally Open & will connect to/power your horn.
The relay coil (85 & 86) will be powered from the horn.

Clear as mud?
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 22, 2017, 08:22:01 PM
Yes, I think so.  It's just that cutting power to the accessory terminal block connected to 87A is somewhat of an inconvenience.  When the horn is activated and the coil switches to 87, my heated grips would revert back to the lowest setting, any lights that are connected would turn off, and anything connected to the power outlet would be momentarily disrupted.  I guess if that's the only way to manage the power then I could live with it, but I was hoping for a better solution.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: MrDude_1 on November 22, 2017, 09:00:27 PM
Yes, I think so.  It's just that cutting power to the accessory terminal block connected to 87A is somewhat of an inconvenience.  When the horn is activated and the coil switches to 87, my heated grips would revert back to the lowest setting, any lights that are connected would turn off, and anything connected to the power outlet would be momentarily disrupted.  I guess if that's the only way to manage the power then I could live with it, but I was hoping for a better solution.

The solution on most vehicles is to run a battery.. it handles the high current loads and as long as the duty cycle keeps the average draw lower than the charging power it works.
So there are 4 solutions I can think of.

1. add a buffer for hard loads... a battery or supercap array. these are large and hard to do but not impossible.
2. add more 12v power capacity.
   A: Find the battery feed into the power supply, tap off of it to a 2nd supply for more power.
   B: Replace the current supply with a more powerful one.
3. Lower the draw to within limits.  Use a relay to switch as needed.
4. Just draw more power. Dont worry about it. Use a slow blow fuse if it pops.

Edit: btw if it was me, I would just do #4 unless it gave me problems... then I would fix those problems... probably with option 2.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: Doug S on November 22, 2017, 09:10:51 PM
I'd probably go with MrDude_1's options 3 or 4. Remember these are EVs, so any electrical loads you power up are going to reduce your range....not by much, but every little bit counts sometimes. So it's probably wise to keep the gimcrackery to a bare minimum.

Also, I don't think the 12VDC supply is actually an issue -- IIRC the converter can supply 300 watts, which should be plenty for pretty much anything you want to power. It's the wiring that can only handle a finite amount of current, and the fuse is sized to keep the wires from overheating. Sure, you can find a place to tap in with higher-gauge wiring, put in the appropriate fuse and run the converter up to 300 watts (including all loads) if you want to. But with the existing wiring, you'll need to keep the steady draw down to its rated value for the installed wiring, and ensure any overloads are VERY momentary (don't lean on the horn!).
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 22, 2017, 11:26:28 PM
Okay sounds good.  I appreciate everyone's valuable input.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: BamBam on November 22, 2017, 11:52:20 PM
PS - I reviewed Burton's always on 12V power supply video on the Unofficial Advanced Modifications  website and can someone explain what the Cozo (sp???) that he keeps referring to is.  Here's the link.

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=3766.msg22451
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: ESokoloff on November 24, 2017, 07:34:16 PM
...........
can someone explain what the Cozo (sp???) that he keeps referring to is.
 ........

Google’s my friend,
https://kosonorthamerica.com/

Instrument panel.
Title: Re: Heated grips for FX
Post by: Curt on November 26, 2017, 04:53:20 AM
I installed the Koso Apollo heated grips on my FX a few weeks ago. They look and work great and have impressive electronics.

The FX is already equipped with a suitable connector. Zero did a great job on accessory connectors. In front of the batteries there is a two-pin Sumitomo with a weatherproof cover. Order the mating male connector and use that to attach the heated grips without cutting any bike harnesses. From Eastern Beaver the connector is 2P090WP-DL-M-S ($2.79 ea, min order $10). Be sure to read their Installation Instructions page on how to solder the pins.

I've been meaning to write up an article about this soon.