battery operated heated vest

[manoj]

Has anyone been using chargeable battery operated heated vest 7v(Gerbings),Is it as effective as the regular 12v heated vest?need feedback
Manoj

[DoD#i]

Physics, mon.

Unless you need heat for like 15 minutes or less, or there's a battery that weighs as much as your GS, ain't no way a battery-operated heated vest can keep up with a gasoline-powered-by-way-of-the-generator 12V unit. The power simply isn't there. Batteries are a terrible way to make heat.

I suspect you'd do better to invest in real cold weather gear with no wires at all, and/or a windscreen/fairing (more people-coverage oriented than the stock F fairing looks to be) to take the brunt of the wind off you.

[Superzoom]

Sorry for the way-late reply, but I own both a Gerbings 7v battery powered vest and a Gerbings 12v conventional electric vest.

Obviously, the 12v is more powerful and warmer, but the 7v is better than you would think.  First of all, it's very convenient and doesn't need to be hard wired to the bike so you can keep wearing it off the bike (which I do all the time).  I even wear it at work in a studio when it gets cold.  It definitely does make a difference in your warmth level.  It also acts as an extra layer while still being thin and small.

It also lasts a surprisingly long time.  On full power, it lasts close to three hours, and on a lower setting, it can last all day.  If I were to compare it to a 12v vest, I would say it provides about 30% of the warmth, which is a lot better than nothing and probably good enough for cool days when you don't want to layer like crazy.

[tt_four]

No comment on the battery powered vest, as I've never had one, but I used to have a normal heated vest that plugged in, and I could make myself over heat well down to where there was too much ice on the road to want to ride. I don't think I'd mess with trying anything else, especially because once I got the vest, I of course felt it necessary to get the matching chaps and gloves too, which would've been a lot of batteries. They all hooked into one plug which tucked right under the edge of the seat so it wasn't bothersome when I  wasn't wearing the gear.

[Superzoom]

I personally think that people who think electric clothing is unnecessary have never tried electric clothing.  I think you just get used to being somewhat cold on your bike when you don't use electrics.

My electric vest became my absolute favourite accessory on my trip across Canada (Ontario to BC).  The feeling of warmth has the same effect as a campfire:  you feel cozy and comfortable.  There's nothing wrong with feeling comfortable on your bike.  I guess I'm getting too old to be a tough guy.

[Gary856]

I thought the short cold spell (near or just below 40F) we had a couple of months ago here in SF Bay Area was all over, but last weekend I went for a 5 hour night ride and was freezing my ass off. So I'm not interested in heated cloths again. Question about a vest vs. a jacket - why would you get a vest, but not a jacket? I know the jacket would suck a little more power and be a little more bulky, but is the trade off bad enough for you to choose a vest over a jacket? Is it like, if you're core is warm, then your arms/hands are automatically warm too?

[Superzoom]

The original question was 7v battery operated vest vs. plug in vest

[manoj]

I went on to  buy Firstgear 65w jacket,Gerbings gloves and Tourmaster heated insoles.....I have made 1hr ride to work in 20F ,couple of days last month
I have never rode with everything connected ,worried about draining battery but was able to ride at20F with just gloves and shoe insole connected,guess the thinoinsulate lining of the jacket works extremely well didn't freeze
Tourmaster insole works just too well and mine without controller makes it too hot almost unbearable

never expected the  heated gear to make so much difference ....can anyone suggest where can i find cheap thermostat(Powerlet connector type)

Manoj

[bubba zanetti]

Hahaha, heated clothing, whats next air conditioning for summer riding. There's plenty of good thermal gear these days to not need to worry about heated clothing.

The only thing you need to know about keeping warm on the bike is layers.

Maybe you guys need this

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/22/entrosys-motorcycle-air-conditioning-and-heating-system-now-taki/

[luffy]

I was riding this week in -16 c, or 3 f. I don't think adding thirty layers of clothing is going to help anything. When you start layering like crazy the body is too hot, no ventilation which leads to sweating which only makes things worse. I was wearing some cycling base layers and my normal riding gear and it wasn't too bad, but some heated gloves would have definately done the trick.

Adam

[tt_four]

. Question about a vest vs. a jacket - why would you get a vest, but not a jacket? I know the jacket would suck a little more power and be a little more bulky, but is the trade off bad enough for you to choose a vest over a jacket? Is it like, if you're core is warm, then your arms/hands are automatically warm too?

Some companies will make heated liners for your riding jacket. That's still not as good as a vest though. The benefit to a vest(to be worn under your cycling jacket, we're not talking harley style with nothing but a vest and a t shirt) is that it fits tightly to your body. The closer it is to you the more efficient it's going to be. Heated liners lose some efficiency by the heat escaping. The liner I had was a size too big and I definitely felt the downsides to it. You turn it up extra warm to make up for it not actually touching you, then the spots that do touch your body get too hot, and others aren't warm enough. Next time clothes come out of the dryer put on one of your now warmed baggy t shirts, then slide on one of your girlfriends tight little t shirts, and tell me which one feels transfers more heat to you.

Layers are good, but when it comes to something like riding a bike, which requires you to move, you'll start to feel somewhat restricted and tend to stiffen up.

[Superzoom]

Hahaha, heated clothing, whats next air conditioning for summer riding. There's plenty of good thermal gear these days to not need to worry about heated clothing.

The only thing you need to know about keeping warm on the bike is layers.

I might say the same thing if I lived in Australia!

[bubba zanetti]

Hahaha, heated clothing, whats next air conditioning for summer riding. There's plenty of good thermal gear these days to not need to worry about heated clothing.

The only thing you need to know about keeping warm on the bike is layers.

I might say the same thing if I lived in Australia!

Quite possibly, the best thing for keeping warm is a jacket lining made from the fur from a drop bear.

[johnny ro]

Cool. Never saw this before. Gerbings says shell works with 7 watts draw.   if it really works at 7 watts a battery will last a while as they claim. Nice not to be plugged in. I might buy one of these. Gooble reveals others at this price point.

With layering I am sure it adds meaningfully to metabolic heat.

Just bought seat heater for 99 miata, install this weekend. $125 kit. Will reduce/reshape foam while I am at it. Car seat heat is wonderful.

[meri]

I had to look up dropbear. I bet they would make good pets.

[bubba zanetti]

I had to look up dropbear. I bet they would make good pets.

Nope, they're too cranky and vicious. They'll have your arm/leg off before you know it.

[tt_four]

If I was going to buy a battery operated vest, I think I'd really prefer if the battery was detachable and it came with all of the wiring just to plug it in to the bike battery as well. That would make it extremely convenient to use whichever based on what you think you want that day.

Someday I'd really like to get a heated toilet seat for the toilet in the basement. At the same time, who plans dropping a deuce that far ahead of time to want to go warm up their toilet.

[dauphinc]

Tt_four, I almost dropped a deuce laughing so hard at your statement. Bwhahhahh