Just thoughts, I can't imagine putting them on the 'bars would make them hotter. I would think cooler if anything. Not sure about oxfords but some aftermarket heated grips are designed to switch off if the voltage drops below a certain point but I don't see how that would affect temp. One last thought if the bike is idling rather than running at 3000 rpm or something like that the voltage might be a bit lower than ideal, might that cause a low temp. I don't know.

 

Supposedly the heat controller regulates the amount of heat by using PWM or pulse width modulation. It switches power on/off rapidly. The longer the power is on vs off determines how hot the wires in the grips get and thus the amount of heat. I would guess that it works within a range of voltages for a 12V system. Shutting off usually occurs as a safety feature at around 11.5V at the battery. Basically not to drain the battey if you leave them on if wired directly to the battery. I don't think rpms have any affect on the heat. Don't know why the grips don't feel hot enough and I can see why you don't want to cut off your oem grips to install. I never thought of testing the grips off the bars when I installed Oxford grips. They were always hot enough on the bars. Maybe contact Oxford.

 

Thanks for that. I have done measurements. Initially the grips draw 3.6 amps. After a minute it drops down and ends with a constant current draw of 0.5 to 1.5 amps.
So when the current tails off, the thermistor control has reached max temperature and back off.
But this max temp is just warm.

I have given all this info to Oxford. The reply was disappointing. “ We would recommend reserving judgement until you have used them in motion on a reasonable distance where we are confident that you will love them”

 

Thanks for that. I have done measurements. Initially the grips draw 3.6 amps. After a minute it drops down and ends with a constant current draw of 0.5 to 1.5 amps.
So when the current tails off, the thermistor control has reached max temperature and back off.
But this max temp is just warm.

I have given all this info to Oxford. The reply was disappointing. “ We would recommend reserving judgement until you have used them in motion on a reasonable distance where we are confident that you will love them”

With a response such as that I wouldn’t be able to return the things fast enough.

I’ve been considering heated grips and if I do I will go for the UltimateAddOns ones. “Reaching temperatures of over 80°C”

 

Here are pages from the HotGrips Pro Manual. I think you'll find what you're looking for. There is also an override. Hope it helps.

 

I see what you mean now. So yes I had switched BSM off.

 

Thanks for that. But I have been continuously gripping the grips to see how hot they get.

 

The guide explains re: voltage drop and how it reduces. It also tells how to set it to override voltage drop so you can test continuous heat.

 

Maybe go for a ride with the grips taped somewhere and see if the higher voltage while riding makes a difference (ie. grab 1 of them while riding)? Just a thought ...

 

Your help is appreciated but I have read the file but cannot see “explains re: voltage drop and how it reduces. It also tells how to set it to override voltage drop so you can test continuous heat.”

 

Return them, get something else. You will thank the day you sent them back.

 

I've had Koso heated grips in the past with the integrated controller on the left grip ... not sure which would fit but might be worth a look.

 

Run Oxfords on my Sprint GT, they get uncomfortably HOT on high. Never tried to run them off the bike, their controller is pretty complex so I wouldn't be surprised if they throttled down while not on a bike.

Also ran Kosko and Hot Grips on various bikes, both work fine as well but Oxford are my second choice (behind OEM units).

I would say you're possibly overthinking this a bit and to just install them.

 

Take Oxford's advice, put them on and see what happens.

 

So thanks for all your views. As a final test I thought I’d put the grips and harness in the freezer for so mins to simulate wi tee conditions. There was no difference.

My concern with installing them as Oxford suggested Is that it puts me in a weak position warranty wise If they still don’t get hot. I’d have to cut them off to send them back.

So I have decided to send them back.
Thanks everyone and safe riding.

 

So thanks for all your views. As a final test I thought I’d put the grips and harness in the freezer for so mins to simulate wi tee conditions. There was no difference.

My concern with installing them as Oxford suggested Is that it puts me in a weak position warranty wise If they still don’t get hot. I’d have to cut them off to send them back.

So I have decided to send them back.
Thanks everyone and safe riding.

Can you share picture of the grips?

If they are just pads, you can use 2inch heat shrink tubing to install them. When you want to remove them, just cut the heat shrink tube.

Just don't get the Heat Shrink tube with inner adhesive.

I used this method when I installed the heat pads on my GoldWing grips.

NOTE: you are getting 1,5 A draw per grip or total for both grips. I have typically seen most aftermarket grip to consumes ~18 W on high setting per grip.

 

Right, where to begin.
I received the ultimateaddons heated grips and I have just finished testing them. Same test as with the Oxford pro. Connect straight to the battery and run the bike.
Just unbelievably hot. On max with no gloves in the garage you cannot grip them for long. Unlike the Oxford pro which were just “warm”.
I know that one man’s warm is another man’s hot. But the difference is night and day.
Thanks for all the help.
safe riding.

 

Right, where to begin.
I received the ultimateaddons heated grips and I have just finished testing them. Same test as with the Oxford pro. Connect straight to the battery and run the bike.
Just unbelievably hot. On max with no gloves in the garage you cannot grip them for long. Unlike the Oxford pro which were just “warm”.
I know that one man’s warm is another man’s hot. But the difference is night and day.
Thanks for all the help.
safe riding.

Good to hear that you have now installed a solution that does what it says on the box. 👍 When I decide to get some it will definitely be the Ultimate Addons ones. Could have done with them yesterday 150 miles down to Dorset with a 07:00 start, it was fcold.

 

So to close this thread, I have finished the instal. Really pleased that I found the 3 wire connector used for factory heated grips. Made the wiring so much easier. The connector was under the left hand side nose cone fairing. I had taken all the side fairings off, but in hindsight I didn’t need to take any of them off. You can pull the main loom down and peel back the black taped connector to give ample room.

Used the switched live to energise a relay and the permanent live to the new grips. All the wiring loom that came with the Ultimateaddons heated grips and my relay hides nicely in the void behind the windshield.

Literally the only thing that’s visible is the wire from each grip which is unobtrusive.

Safe riding.

 

That's great and good info. As I read your post my GT is outside waiting for the ride home of 3000+ miles and I have a few days yet. My heated grips are really nice heat wise but worn. I'll check how they are wired and if needed hook them up replacements to the factory connector; your info is helpful. As my route does go over the Rockies heated grips will be handy no doubt.

 

Can you confirm my understanding of this because electrical stuff is not one of my better abilities . The switched wire will activate the relay, the always live goes on one post of the relay through the relay out the other post to the grips and the 4th post would be a ground? What relay did you use, just any 4 pin one and how did you connect to the stock switched plug?
Thanks,
Bob

 

Check out TomsDad other thread

https://www.triumphrat.net/threads/what-is-this-connector-installing-hot-grips.1018762/?post_id=2004536309#post-2004536309

Shaky

 

Your understanding is correct. I used relay from Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088CTBWMP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share It comes with pre wired relay base Black and white are relay coil. Red and blue are relay 12 volt contacts. I found the original 3 pin connector and cut it off and bared the wires. I twisted wise together and soldered them. The used heat shrink sleeving to cover everything. Finally re taping loom with electrical tape. Any probs come back to me.