Hotgrips - Do you need to use a relay?

[fatjames]

Many thanks to Stinkwheel for his amazing relay wiring guide. It's really helpful (https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=2444272).

I plan on following the guide as I also want to add some other electronics, for example, a USB socket and phone charger.

I just wondered if using a relay is still required for heatedgrips, specifically the oxford hotgrips? On the packaging it claims to have battery saving mode "turns the grips off if you forget" How does that work??

[WD Forte]

No but a dedicated fuse is a good idea so if it bursts into flames
the rest of the bike will still function as you're screaming
"it burns us! it burns us!"

I reckon the 'smart' types monitor the supply voltage which on a
running bike will be around 14V and if this drops below a threshold voltage,
(as it will when switched off or the bike's struggling to charge sufficiently)
the grips will/should turn themselves off.

While I'm rantin on.....

A relay powered up at ignition on and vice versa
would ensure non smart type grips don't get left on.
You could do the relay method if you want a belt and braces system
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bikers smell of wee

[Matt B]

You can just wire them into a circuit that is ignition switched.

On the Pan they are wired into the front brake circuit via the microswitch*



* In b 4 your loom will melt and bike will catch fire doing that -this is where the standard Honda grips connect, it has a specific little bit of loom for it.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[DrSnoosnoo]

You might as well use it through the relay as when you come to add your charger etc, the relay is already there, you just need to plug the additions in.

PS I followed Stinkwheel's walkthrough too, it was very helpful and really clear too. My bike hasn't set on fire yet.
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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

[MarJay]

I'd use a relay as I wouldn't trust the standard wiring to cope with the current from the grips.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[fatjames]

[Matt B]

[kramdra]

[Snorty]

I've got the premium grips with the battery saving mode. Wired directly from the battery (with an in-line fuse). They go onto a 2 min turn-off timer when they detect no charging current. Can't fault them thus far.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[WD Forte]

[WD Forte]

A heated top box?
Luxury !

I was in town the other day and left the helmet in the top box
An hour so later I got back to the bike and putting my helmet on
got a "Jebus H cripes!" it was freezing and a top box heater project
did cross my mind for a wee while.
I quickly dismissed it as unmanly and the sort of thing
some johnny foriegner would do.
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bikers smell of wee

[Codezombie]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Alledgedly not, but I'd rather not overload wiring that is generally only just of a grade capable of managing the load already on there.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Snorty]

[Kickstart]

[talkToTheHat]

I wired my oxford premiums straight to battery (with inline fuse). I have not yet killed battery through forgetfulness. On some cold days when the idle was shit on the old blowing OEM exhaust i've had the battery saver light come on if i've put the heated grips on straight after starting the bike and the bike is idling and I have left the headlight on. Is not a problem if I dont switch everything on straight away, fixed with new exhaust and idle speed setting.

Will fit an accessory relay if they ever become a problem or if I have other powered accessories, but for now simpler is less to go wrong.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Davenaylor]

Mine have died after a years use. I have the Oxford smart grips. They turn themselves off when riding. I've been meaning to post about it on here. They seem to behave when the revs are up, then when the revs drop the control unit decide to turn off like the power is cut.

Reading this I wonder if I have a poorly bike if the revs are upping the current. It started after the bike was blown over in high wind. They are wired straight to the battery. Time for a multi meter me thinks.

[evoboy]

In my experience, the grips perform much better when ran through a relay instead of being spliced into existing wiring.

Rewired the spot light and the heated grips on my NTV last week as I rushed putting them on and just spliced into existing wiring. With the intentions of doing it properly. ( 3 months later )

The grips would take ages to warm up, but now they are wired in properly, they take 1/4 of the time to get hot.
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[talkToTheHat]

[Davenaylor]

cheers, i'll get the seat off and look at the weekend

[iooi]

[Kickstart]

[talkToTheHat]

Indeed the loom provided with the power sensing oxford kit is complete with crimped eyelets to fit direct to battery and an inline fuse, so the wiring is sufficient and minimal. It's at joints, connections and switches that the largest voltage dropmwill be found on a small vehicle loom.
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Bandit. does. everything.