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Variable switch for heated grips

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    Variable switch for heated grips

    My bike came with heated grips and a 3 position toggle switch (low/off/high)

    Low does almost nothing and high is too hot. How can I get a small enough variable switch that will work?
    1978 GS 1000 (since new)
    1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
    1978 GS 1000 (parts)
    1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
    1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
    1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
    2007 DRz 400S
    1999 ATK 490ES
    1994 DR 350SES

    #3
    I would like to see the specs on that "dimmer".

    If it is simply a tapped variable resistor, it's going to draw a LOT of current (same as HIGH setting) any time the heaters are ON.
    Some of the power will be diverted to the heaters, the rest will be sent to ground.

    A better alternative would be an active system that uses pulse-width modulation.

    The difference in the way the two controllers work is similar to our situation with shunt- or series-style regulators.

    .
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    #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
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      #4
      The unit Kudo58 linked is a very nice unit.

      DC to DC convertor. I have 3. 1 of 3 would not go real low so the seller shipped me another for free.



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        #5
        Simplest of them all is a series / parallel switch. Series the bar heaters = high resistance = low heat. Parallel them = low resistance = high heat.
        It just works, and has been working on my inner bar heaters for 25 years.
        Of course, it depends on how the more conventional over-grip heaters are constructed. If they're not all that robust they might not like being high for very long.
        ---- Dave

        Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

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