Triumphrat

SMGray · 03-02-2008

I've got a new Scrambler and I'm in Michigan where riding in the winter usually requires heated clothing, which I have. The question is: does the Scrambler put out enough wattage to allow me to use heated pants, vest, and gloves? I looked in the owners manual and didn't see any reference to the output. Does anyone know what it is and at what rpm?

Pauljo · 03-02-2008

According to the Triumph service manual, the alternator puts out 24A @ 2000 rpm, and 26A @ 4000 rpm. The Haynes manual states that alternator output is 27A (no rpm given).

As I recall, my Bonneville owners manual gives the values for volts and amps also. I'm too lazy to go remove the seat right now to verify, but I believe it was 14V and 27A. That 27A probably comes at 5000 rpm or thereabouts.

Watts = volts X amps

So I think the range would be 336W @ 2000 rpm, 364W @ 4000 rpm, to a peak of 378W at (I'm guessing) 5000-5500 rpm.

I use a Gerbing electric jacket liner and gloves with my T100. I do not use heated pants.

SMGray · 03-02-2008

Paul,
Thank you for that information. Its just what I was looking for. Like you, I will be wearing the vest without the gloves and pants most of the time. I only put that pants on if it is really cold outside. The pants take up more wattage than the vest and gloves combined. But I have a controller to adjust the amount of power going to the whole set-up and I never use it at full power because, as you probably know, these things can get real warm. So I'm thinkiing I will be in good shape.

I know there are alot of people out there who question whether it is worth it or not to invest in heated clothing but in my opinion, heated clothing is one of the best purchases you can make if you happen to ride up in Michigan or any northern state.

Thanks again.

Pauljo · 03-02-2008

Steve,

I ride down into the low 20's if the roads are in good shape. On a fairly short ride I do fine with just the jacket liner and gloves for heat. I do wear Red Wing insulated boots. For a moderate length ride in temps under 30°, I'll throw a set of thermal "long johns" under my jeans. Flannel lined jeans would work as well I think. If you find that the electric pants draw too much juice on top of the other gear, there are certainly alternatives. The most important thing, as you probably know, is to keep your upper body warm.

I do plug in a Battery Tender Junior to top up the battery when I get back to my garage. Sometimes it just takes a few seconds - sometimes close to an hour. I did find that trying to use the BT via the Triumph accessory outlet wasn't working too well. I ran a BT harness straight to the battery, that works much better. I also try to keep my rpms in at least the 3000 to 3500 range as much as possible when cruising with the electric gear.

Unfortunately, this year they have flung salt and sand all over the roads on a frequent basis. The roads are a mess from that, plus there is an unusually large number of potholes developing. So despite electric gear, I'm not riding much at all.

SMGray · 03-02-2008

Paul,

The connection for the controller for the Gerbings electric clothing connects directly to my battery and I use that same connection to charge my battery with the Battery Tender. Like you, I tend to charge immediately after a ride. Doing that insures that the battery will be fully charged for the next ride.

I rode with salt on the roads today but only because I just took delivery of my new Scrambler last week and I haven't been able to ride it. Looking at it sitting there in the garage and not being able to ride because of ice/snow/cold was killing me. Today, the temps got into the mid 40s and the roads were dry but there was still some residue of salt on the roads. But I couldn't wait. I just had to ride my new bike.

sweatmachine · 03-02-2008

I've used a Widder heated vest and Aerostich heated grip wraps for days on end with no problems.