Varying voltage/current through heater pads

[DrSnoosnoo]

Whuddup BCF. Yes this is bike related because I have some heater pads that I could put on my handle bars.

They are cheapies from China which have a direct connector to my battery (via my ignition switched relay).

They just have an on/off switch now but I'm wondering how I could modulate their "power" - I'm not too sure of the correct terminology, I haven't studied electronics for 10 years.

I wondered whether I should just use a potentiometer, changing that should change the current across the heaters (?); but I'm unsure if this would be the right method. The quoted power for these are 10W.

Does anybody have any tips of what I could wire in to give me this variation? I will be hoping to make it waterproof - bike use.

TIA.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[tom_e]

[DrSnoosnoo]

[MCN]

I have heated gear which is controlled by a device that pulses the power to the gear more pulses = more heat
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[DrSnoosnoo]

[stinkwheel]

Simple = best in my book

If you connect the grips up using a simple a double pole, double throw three position switch, you han have high, low and off.

In high, they're connected in paralell, in low they're connected in series. vide infra
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/switchwiring-1.png
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[DrSnoosnoo]

[WD Forte]

Yep PWM is bit sofistercated for them things
I suggest running them in parallel first cos if they're
like the ones I played with years ago, they won't exactly take the
skin off your hands running flat out.
Are we talking of ones like pictured below?
Remember they'll lose heat into the bars and some heat will be insulated by the grip, so don't get fooled by a bench test
TLDR
fit pads and grips, run flat out
IF they get too hot, after 15 minutes use the switch method above
to run them in series
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAxMFgxMDEw/z/peoAAOSwal5YHa96/$_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F
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bikers smell of wee

[DrSnoosnoo]

[WD Forte]

DIY heated clothing using cheap chinese components eh?

Riiiight.......

I do hope the vid of you writhing on the ground screaming
"Arghh! it burns! it burns!"
gets posted here before it gets to Youtube

____________________
bikers smell of wee

[DrSnoosnoo]

[stinkwheel]

Perhaps the world is ready for heated knees sliders?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[owl]

cock sock warmer
____________________
Observation is the greatest source of wisdom.

[DrSnoosnoo]

[G]

[ferrisio]

Hmm, my old R1100RS has knackered heating elements under the grips and looks like a big expensive hassle to sort. Are these elements suitable for bodging a kind of replacement? Doesn't matter if they don't get scalding hot - just enough to not be freezing would be great as I've got guards in front to keep the wind off.
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BMW R1100R

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