Heated Grips and my Battery

[usaffjr]

I have a set of AME grips that haven't been warming up properly. Despite being well past my warranty, the awesome folks that make them sent me a brand new set for free.

Installed them tonight and the problem is only worse. The grips can detect battery level and shut down when there isn't enough juice so you don't kill your battery. Problem is they won't run for more than a few seconds, even while riding down the road. My battery (cheap agm battery) is about a year old and I don't run any other accessories. Any thoughts? Since this is my second set, I doubt the problem is the grips. I would have thought riding down the road would fix the problem but it doesn't making me think it's my charging system.

[MrTwisty]

I had similar problems with my AME grips and I thought it was my battery or even my charging system. I even took my bike to the dealer to have them check the charging system. It was fine. The root cause turned out to be my poor wiring skills.

Check your wiring. Make sure all connections are good and make sure you used large enough wire. I think I used 16ga wire on mine. 14ga would be even better.

I doubt it's you battery. Even a cheap one should still be good after a year.

[usaffjr]

I'm using the wiring that came with the grips. It is connected to the battery terminals. I can't imagine cutting the connectors off (nice waterproof plug style) that it came with.

[Cougar8000]

have you mentioned this to Bob at AME? I will be talking to him on Monday

[usaffjr]

I sent him an email last night (and forwarded you the email as well).

[usaffjr]

AME says my battery or alternator (he personally tested my grips prior to shipping them). Can any shop test them?

[Cougar8000]

they do have set up. When I originally signed up with them they told me they test every single unit prior to going out. I have left him a VM earlier today. Waiting for a call back

[Cougar8000]

OK. Spoke with Bob, their main tech guy, and he confirmed that they do have a machine that allows them to play with voltage and trick grips thinking there is 14v and 12 or even 8v on the system. They use it to test every single unit that comes out.

He also said that there are lots of FJR's that run them. Who are they and why there are not buying from me? So, he knows that FJR can produce enough juice. That is why he is suspecting you have an electrical issue. Be it your battery lost one cell, or an alternator issue.

Please have those checked and let us know.

Thank you

[Cougar8000]

BTW. According to Bob, they have upgraded software on these grips and now they are even better then before. Let me know who is interested?

[clocklaw]

BTW. According to Bob, they have upgraded software on these grips and now they are even better then before. Let me know who is interested?

grips have "software"???

[usaffjr]

I wish we could dumb down the grips a bit. Nice that they won't kill my battery, but they are so sensitive they won't work at all (my bike fires right up every time - even in the low 30s).

[Cougar8000]

grips have "software"???

Amazing, isnt it?!

That is how it knows what to do when you push it 2 times vs 5 times. Or when temp gets to a certain level. Or when battery gets low.

Wait for it. Someone will tell us now that it is a plot and they are testing it on us