GL 1500 Heated Seats

[tonyl2547]

I just purchased aftermarket heated seats to install on my GL1500 trike. My problem is no instructions came with the package. My question is does the heating element go under the seat outer lining or under the foam backing?

[Stew]

Car heated seats have the heating pad on top of the foam, underneath the cover. You would think this would be similar.

[MikeB]

As Stew suggests. The heated element would go on top of the foam, directly under the seat cover. Otherwise, you will have happy warm foam but a cold butt.

[Mag]

As Stew suggests. The heated element would go on top of the foam, directly under the seat cover. Otherwise, you will have happy warm foam but a cold butt.

Why did I laugh at that?

And what an idea, did not even thing of converting my seat to heated.....

[minimac]

Oh boy, hot pants! Seriously, I've never found the need for a heated seat on my bike-and I ride all winter.

[Jvh]

Yes, But SHE does have a need for the heated seat ... anything that smooths out the 'hey honey, lets go for a long ride' is worth its weight in gold
So, while your adding one 'for her' you may as well add one for you ... how is that logic

A heated element is an extremely simple thing, and considering the high price, you should consider making your own.

volts / resistance = current.
if you look at the current draw of most heated seat elements, it is usually around 2 or 3 amp .

so 13 volts (running voltage, not engine off voltage)
13 / x = 3 ... x = 4.3
so just go with 4 ohms

find some thin wire at radio-shack. the specification for the wire will say ohms / foot.

measure out the wire needed to get you 4 ohms.

If you simple short that, the wire will heat up. If you feel like it is getting too hot, either lengthen it a bit, put a reostat on it, or perhaps cover it with shrink tubing
The I suggest putting a switch, and a fuse (say 10 amp).
I made a heated vest this way and I made some heated grips this way.

Cheers,
John

[MikeB]

find some thin wire at radio-shack. the specification for the wire will say ohms / foot.

This is a really BAD idea. The wire needed to make heated products needs to be a special type of wire, not off the shelf hook-up wire from Radio Shack.

Never having attempted to make my own heated gear, I am not an expert at this. But, I'm relatively certain the wire needs to be nichrome resistance wire with Hi Temp PTFE insulation. If one tries to make their own heated clothing, I strongly urge you to do some research. Particularly if you want to do a heated seat. The possibility of causing an electrical short and starting a motorcycle fire is too great.

[Jvh]

Fair enough ... As with all DIY hacked solutions .. buyer beware.

I did it and nothing bad happened because I had a length of wire that kept the current low. I also did it on a beater bike, not a 20k bike ... so I would be more cautious with the bike I was still making payments on.

[Mag]

Not to knock jvh's post, just because I like the DIY Hacks too, some are amusing, some are ingenious and a point of "why did I not think of that?!?!?!", but when I read this one, first thing I thought was my crotch on fire flying down the freeway.....at least I will be warm in this 30 degree weather I have

[Jvh]

Using this method, I took a leather vest, un-stiched in the inner liner, glued the wire in a back and forth pattern on the inside, then re-attached in the inner liner. It worked exactly as I expected. The weak point was where the wire came out. I would often forget to unplug it, and as I got off I would yank the connection. I broke it off several times ... Cheap Hot Leathers vest + $5 worth of material and a couple hours in the living room while watching TV and I had heated gear.
(Not to mention the entertainment factor )
Since that worked so well, I used the same principle and made a set of heated grips. (And this looked a little funky) I wrapped the wire around the grips and then wrapped that in friction tape (like the stuff you put on a hockey stick). That also worked great. The heated grips did not look good enough to go on something as nice as a wing. It was a 'hacky' kind of thing. Heated grips for about $5 ...

As to the catching on fire thing. The wires we are talking about can withstand some heat. It is when they get 'red hot' that you need to start being concerned. It is easy enough to experiment with this. With a low pop fuse in place (say 5 amp) you can set up something that should only run at 3 amp to test. This will not get hot hot ...

v / r = a

But ... again ... if you are saving $75 and you put it in your = $20,000 machine, and you feel that diminishes it (the term 'rat bike' comes to mind) don't do it. ... I have bought plenty of bikes where the last owner did dumb **** and I had to spend time and $$ bringing it back to stock, and not stupid. But if you make a clever heat pad and embed it in the seat where it is not seen ... then it is awesome !

I just bought my first wing last week and will be adding his and hers heated seat in the coming weeks. 1995 SE with a sidecar.

It is easy enough to purchase carbon rope or carbon tape and do the same thing, if you are uncomfortable with the 'just use wire' idea. All electrical heaters are just controlled short circuits ...

[DaveO430]

Oh boy, hot pants! Seriously, I've never found the need for a heated seat on my bike-and I ride all winter.

I used to say the same thing, until I got one.