Modern Vespa

Hi all, Just seeking a bit of advise. I am installing heated grips (Symtec under grip wraps) in my Gt and the instructions suggest tapping in to an active power source such as the headlight (optional fuse) . Others here at MV have suggested wiring directly to the battery. Concerns are that there might not be enough power for both the heated grips and headlight with the tap option or that direct wiring could allow the grips to be turned on and drain the battery while the scooter is parked. Not sure if this matters (I am a total electrical newbie) I have already installed an audible turn indicator using the alarm harness and think this will limit the switched power options.

As an aside I also installed LED Brake lights (currently brake light only) in the top case backed by SOLAS tape. I just took delivery of a dual element circuit (thanks baca008) and was going to run them as both running and brake lights (with a BackoffXP modulator) but some of our club members have suggested that the way it is now really has impact when the brakes are lit up and the addition of the running light function could water the effect down.... time to experiment and solicit opinions I guess . I will post a project report soon.

AND a HUGE Thanks to all MV members for the great info here... I am not at all handy and with the information here have totally surprised myself (and my wife)
Cheers
Mike

general opinion seems to be that wiring the grips directly into the battery is the safest bet. if you're worried about leaving the grips on and draining the battery, you can install a relay so that the grips don't come on unless the engine is running.

wire them directly to the battery, but via a relay, so that the power to the grips is only hot when the engine is running. this feed to activate the relay can be taken from the lights. same principle as adding astebel nautilus. see my first post in this thread

Installing a Stebel Nautilus Compact on an MP3

wire the light's positive feed to where it says horn positive. horn negative can just go to ground....

don't forget to install an on/off switch as well casue in the summer you don't want hot grips all the time

Thanks I will go for the relay and quite likely clean it all up with this http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/3_Circuit/3_circuit.html

EasternBeaver kits are amazing - accurate, good parts, and pieces, and although some of the here could whip it up cheaper, EasternBeaver stuff is for the rest of us mere mortals.

You got great advice, as usual for MV.

You should also consider a 12 volt outlet, also powered from the battery and run off a relay. Aside from running a GPS, or charging your cell phone, it can also run a small compressor.

I just repaired my first flat (picked up a good-sized nail on the back wheel). Now I'm carrying the flat repair kit and a small compressor (Courtesy of Canadian Tire).

Another member here showed me his Stebel set up, he kept the original horn in the bike and wired a second switch for the Stebel on the left grip giving him the option to use the original horn for friendly honks. Also the auxiliary button for the Stebel was easier to reach. I think the button was a standard motorcycle pushbutton switch that installs on the handle bar, right at the end of the grip and next to the headset. His install was on a GTS as well.

Thanks again, I will be wiring in a powerlet outlet as well off the unswitched 3CS from eastern beaver...
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/3_Circuit/3_circuit.html
cant wait to get it all wired up!!