PowerLet or Gerbing?

I am new to heated gear and just spent the last few hours reading up on the differences. Seems like the Gerbing equipment is better quality, and they use a standard coax type plug, where as the PowerLet is a more custom plug, specific to only PowerLet.

I am interested to learn about what other riders are using, and if you are a 5th generation rider, where are you mounting the plug? I am looking at a Gerbing heated vest/jacket, keeping an iPhone GPS charged, and possibly heated gloves.

Thanks.

 

Gerbing is my call

 

If you want do do all those things at once, you might want to get advice from the guys that setup a fuse block under their seat and run all sorts of stuff off it. Someone posted a really slick, clean looking setup with labels and whatnot, it's around here somewhere.

If you do wind up taking the powerlet option, BEWARE - their steering stem outlet setup is totally garbage. The harness clearly wasn't updated in some way to the current frame, and thus the ground wire is nowhere near a convenient screw to ground off of. This leaves you the option of using the one nearby screw, but in order to do that you have to grind powder coat off the frame or b.) run additional wire to a ground somewhere else in the bike.

 

For electrical add-ons the choice really entails weighing up cost, style and what is available.

The web means that you can of course get most things shipped in. But remember you may need to factor in any import taxes on overseas stuff.

The third way (and possibly the cheapest) is to fit a fused 12 volt car style cigarette lighter socket to the bike. That way you won't be paying over the odds to fit BMW's or other firms proprietary connectors to all your accessories. A good ships chandlers will stock waterproof versions of standard 12 volt sockets which come complete with a waterproof cover on a rubber tag so you don't loose it. Mine has works fine powering my iPhone charger even in torrential rain.

The point is pretty much any 12 volt accessory can be fitted with any type of connector. For things like an iPhone - there are loads of places selling ready to go adapters which plug directly into a standard 12 volt car socket. Adapters may also be available for the other connector systems, but with fairly limited demand they will probably cost more. If you want a Gerbing heated jacket - if it draws 12 volts from a bike the power connector it can almost certainly be fitted with whatever connector you want to use - so don't feel locked into using their connector system.

Strangely I thought Gerbing heated jackets/gloves came with their own rechargeable battery pack? Generally I dislike hardwired clothing/helmet intercoms as they can be a menace if you forget to disconnect when you get off, and start to strangle yourself or tip the bike over!




SkiMad

 

Fuse box under the seat

I can connect the SAE connector for heated gears anytime when winter arrive
SAE connectors
https://www.google.com/search?q=ASE...oAQ&biw=1280&bih=833#q=sae+connector&tbm=isch
My 12v outlet for my GPS, Charger.......etc