REPAIR/REWIRE HEATED GRIP (WITH PICS)

[aceaceca]

I HAD ONE GRIP NOT WORKING AND NEEDED NEW GRIPS SO I DECIDED TO RIP IT APART AND HAVE A LOOK. ALL IT IS COMPRISED OF IS ABOUT 40" OF 28AWG GAUGE NICHROME RESISTANCE WIRE HAVING A RESISTANCE OF ABOUT 4 OHMS PER FOOT. ONCE YOU CUT THE GRIP OFF WITH A RAZOR BLADE YOU SEE THE WIRE AND THE LITTLE NUBS IN THE HEAT RESISTANT PLASTIC GRIP. JUICE IS JUST FED THROUGH THE NICHROME WIRE TO GROUND AND THE WIRE HEATS UP. I FOUND THE LIGHT COLORED WIRE TO BE GROUND AND THE DARK POWER. WITH THE RIGHT GRIP STILL WORKING I MEASURED ABOUT 10 VOLTS AT THE LEFT GRIP WIRE ON LOW AND 12 VOLTS ON HIGH. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE HOW YOU WIRE IT UP. I CHOSE TO USE SOME HEAT RESISTANCE TAPE ON MINE AS I NEEDED SOME INCREASE IN DIAMETER FOR MY NEW SPONGY GRIPS. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ON YOURS BUT NEW GRIPS ARE NEEDED AND THE BMW ONES ARE PRICEY. FOR LITTLE CRIMP CONNECTORS I CUT SOME ENDS OF THE SMALLEST ONES IN MY BOX AND USED THOSE. I PLACED A STICK FOR A BENCH WHILE I SOLDERED THE FIRST JOINT. WHEN YOU WRAP THE WIRE AROUND THE GRIP FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE YOU LEAVE SPACE BETWEEN THE LITTLE BUMPS SO WHEN YOU COME BACK FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE THE NICHROME WIRE DOES NOT TOUCH EACH OTHER. IF THEY DO, YOU WILL SIMPLY SHORT CIRCUIT THE WIRE AND HAVE LESS HEAT. THE FINAL CONNECTION TO THE DARK WIRE IS MADE AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO THE GRIP AND SOLDERED WITHOUT A BACK STOP. ONCE CONNECTIONS WERE DONE I WRAPPED THE WHOLE SET UP WITH MY TAPE AND PUT MY NEW GRIP ON. AS I LIVE IN SUNNY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA I DO NOT REALLY NEED THE HEAT BUT AS I WAS DOING THE GRIPS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO FIX IT. TRY IT, IT IS NOT TOO DIFFICULT. I HAVE 500 FT OF WIRE NOW AND A ROLL OF TAPE. https://picasaweb.google.com/107601417441031953588/BMWR1150RTGRIPHEATERS

[shweller]

Great write up. I too have the same exact problem, as I have a short in one my grips so it doesn't heat up. Were did you get a replacement grip for the one you cut?

[dirtrider]

Morning Shweller

 

Here is a posting from a while ago on replacing grips.

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=811584&page=1

 

You can get new grips HERE at a reasonable price.

 

 

 

 

[rich t]

I was able to solder in a short piece of copper wire two weeks ago, and it is holding up so far. I've only used the heated grips twice since though. I will eventually replace with the nichrome wire from McMaster carr. For now, I used plumbing tape to stretch over the wires. Would like to find something more appropriate for the task.

 

[aceaceca]

I got spongy ones from Amazon I think it was. Actually I got the glass tape and the wire through Amazon. The glass tape is nice to have as you can adjust the grip diameter to work with the grips you get. I have misplaced both my roll of wire and the tape. Ha I have the receipt in my file. Nickle Chromium Wire, bright, 28AWG, .0125 diameter, 497.5 ft. $24.33 Looks like part number B0051X661S. The grips were Grab On cover MC402 $13.95 Merchant sku 10-ETWA-QRV3 from Orange Custom Cycle via Amazon. No joy on the tape. Mine are working good.

[shweller]

Thanks for the great information everyone. I am going to go with this route insteasd of replacing the one with an OEM replacement. I noticed that in some of the pictures you have tape under the wire and in one only wire over the plastic. Which method do you prefer?

 

[aceaceca]

It makes no difference. The plastic must be heat safe but I bought the tape and it was nice stuff so I used it. I ran two strips down the length of the grip leaving the nubs exposed to keep the wire separated. Once I had wound the wire and made my connections I just wrapped it the other way around and around. As I mentioned, I needed some more diameter for the grip to be snug.

[shweller]

Thank you, I just placed my order for the supplies and parts needed.

[shweller]

Hello everyone, I completed rewiring my grip successfully but found that it does not heat up nearly as much as my existing grip for some unknown reason. I am unsure what the problem could be at this point and need some help. This is what I have done so far to troubleshoot:

• Checked voltage to grip at connector. I got 9v on low and 11.7v on high.

• Removed grip to inspect for possible contact of wiring. None found.

• Checked total resistance of grip and found it to be around 14.8 ohms.

Any other troubleshooting suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[aceaceca]

You got the same electrical values as I did so I can think of no reason other than a poor connection. Mine seem to be about the same temperature. If it keeps your hand warm why worry about a few degrees.

[tomk99r11]

I can't tell from your post what grips you installed, but if they are thicker/foam they won't feel as warm as the OEM. FWIW

[shweller]

I used these OEM type replacement grips so I don’t think that is it...

http://beemershop.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=BS&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HGRPL

I will double check my connections to make sure they are making good contact. It is not keeping my hand warm enough or else I would have just let it go. Thanks everyone.