Got My Symtec heaters in the mail

[Mr. Ray]

I tried the search option to solve this problem and failed.

Has anyone posted their install procedure?

Ray

[SCraig]

Mine had instructions that were pretty straightforward. There is a plug on the V-Strom for the factory grip heaters that can be used to power them. I never could find it so I just wired them through a switched bus I have on my bike.

[MightyShep]

That connection is behind the radiator on the wire harness. One a Vee there is the mud guard behind the radiator that makes getting to it an all day thing (pulling side panels, tank, radiator, etc.) the Wee doesn't have this, and its side panels don't extend as far down, so you may well be avle to access it with some digging.

Heavy also made a point that I liked where he added some insulation on the left side to keep from transferring heat to the bars instead of your hands. That's a good idea.

[Mr. Ray]

Thanks for the info on the location of the stock heater attachment guys.



Mine have detailed/idiotproof intructions included too. But, I have never wired anything up on a bike and I like to see how other riders do things like this. In the interest of keeping it neat.



Ray

[zed88]

Hint: Lookup how to uninstall the bar ends. Don't unscrew them all the way, or you will drop pieces in the bars and spend a hour getting them out. They need to be unscrewed a bit, and then pulled out.

Don't turn on the heated pads until they are installed. You will set them on fire.

Some people insulate the clutch side to provide more heat. The throttle lever will heat up quickly because its plastic.

Some people drill a small hole in the grips and run the wires through them, to avoid having wires everywhere.

Hairspray works great for reinstalling the grips. It will dry in a few days, and leave the grips very solid. Compressed air works great for getting them off. Just stick the nozzle in and blow

[water warrior]

Just a question about the grips since I have had this happen to me recently. Turned on the grips to HI and after a few minutes the throttle locked up and would not return to idle. I am assuming too much heat and expansion of something did the trick. Wasn't that cold out so maybe there was half the problem, no where for the extra heat to radiate to. Any ideas or thoughts guys ??

[pikeb]

What did anyone use for insulation of the bar on the left side?

[Jamie Z]

Turned on the grips to HI and after a few minutes the throttle locked up and would not return to idle. I am assuming too much heat and expansion of something did the trick.
I had this same problem. Loosen the throttle tube with a 2 or 3mm allen wrench and move it just a hair away from the bar end. Tighten, and you're in business. 10 second fix.

Jamie

[silverstrom]

What did anyone use for insulation of the bar on the left side?

I was told that wrapping aluminum tape around the bar on the clutch side before installing the element works well. It is supposed to slow down the heat tranfser to the bar.

Alternatively, Dual Star sells insulation that fits inside the bar if you'd prefer. http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/heated_grip_kit1.htm

SS

[StromFlyer]

Hint: Lookup how to uninstall the bar ends. Don't unscrew them all the way, or you will drop pieces in the bars and spend a hour getting them out. They need to be unscrewed a bit, and then pulled out.



Boy did this make me laugh. First thing I did was pull the bar end screw all the way out on the throttle side....NOW WHAT. Man was I upset. However it seemed to work to just snag the rubber insert, drag it out, then lean the bike over and shake it to get the "nut" to drop out. Not the disaster I thought and it seems to have gone back together ok.

[zed88]

Boy did this make me laugh. First thing I did was pull the bar end screw all the way out on the throttle side....NOW WHAT. Man was I upset. However it seemed to work to just snag the rubber insert, drag it out, then lean the bike over and shake it to get the "nut" to drop out. Not the disaster I thought and it seems to have gone back together ok.

I think at least half of the people who have taken the bar ends off have done this the first time :)

[morm914]

What did anyone use for insulation of the bar on the left side?

You don't need to insulate the left side with steel handlebars. The left side heater has more heating element to balance out the temp.

[silverstrom]

Now that's good to know! I guess I can skip using the aluminum tape then.

Thanks for this useful info.


SS

[K6OST]

If you're installing them over the factory grips with grip puppies over both, you don't need to insulate, the factory grips become the insulation.

[RockyMtnRoadRash]

Just stick the nozzle in and blow

You are now officially my hero. Used that trick last night. Just freaking awesome. No more butterknife and swearing for me.

[garandman]

Looks like Symtec heaters and a Heat-troller are the way to go?

Where to buy?

[morm914]

California Sport Touring had the best price on the Symtecs. $26.95 if I remember right. I find they work just fine with the included high-low switch.

[GRS1959]

If you're installing them over the factory grips with grip puppies over both, you don't need to insulate, the factory grips become the insulation.

Hey Steve, I have a question. Are the Grip Puppies, by themselves, enough material over the heating elements. I remember you made a comment in another thread about how hot they were. I guess my question is, are they too hot installing them this way?

[garandman]

I tried the search option to solve this problem and failed.

Has anyone posted their install procedure?

Ray

Best thread I've found: http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17085

[Gilk51]

What did anyone use for insulation of the bar on the left side?

You don't need to insulate the left side with steel handlebars. The left side heater has more heating element to balance out the temp.

It will work better with the insulation. I have used 1 inch shrink tubing on the handle bar on several bikes after one of the guys on here recommended that method.

[roger123]

Hey Steve, I have a question. Are the Grip Puppies, by themselves, enough material over the heating elements. I remember you made a comment in another thread about how hot they were. I guess my question is, are they too hot installing them this way?

Yes the grip puppies are big enough to cover the heaters.

In my opinion they are too warm to use without the heat troller. I still have not got the troller and am cycling the on/off switch to regulate the heat.

It works but the heat troller will be the bomb.

[K6OST]

Hey Steve, I have a question. Are the Grip Puppies, by themselves, enough material over the heating elements. I remember you made a comment in another thread about how hot they were. I guess my question is, are they too hot installing them this way?


They haven't been too hot for me. I find that cycling them between high/low/off isn't really such a pain. I flick the switch about every 5 minutes or so. Another trick I found that really helps is to put my hand out into the air to cool it off, the heat from the grips themselves really cool the grips down.

[mgkelly]

Symtec Instructions say to coat the heaters with epoxy, is this really nesscesary? I am in the process and would just as soon skip this mess if it is not vital to the function of the grips. thanks

[roger123]

I've installed them on two bikes and haven't used anything like that.

[Scubadvr]

I've installed them on two bikes and haven't used anything like that.
+1. They don't need it. I assume the epoxy is for the throttle side, which is ribbed, but it doesn't need it, at least on my bike it didn't. Once the adhesive sets, they're rock solid. To put the grips back on, use hair spray, and let it dry. It lubes the grips up to slide easily over the heater grids, then becomes tacky when dry, so the grips won't slip. Works like a charm. Just don't use a whole lot of hairspray, or it takes a while to dry. Just enough to get the grip started sliding over the heaters.

[henerythe8th]

Aluminum is a BETTER conductor of heat than steel! If you wanted the insulation then the heat shrink tube that someone recommended would probably be great!

H

[Jamie Z]

Symtec Instructions say to coat the heaters with epoxy, is this really nesscesary?
Yeah, in fact I think the instructions say to use JB Weld.

I wasn't going to put JB Weld on my hand grips. I lubed them with rubbing alcohol, and that was it. Not a problem in 20,000+ miles.

Jamie

[strom lurker]

I used electrical tape to keep mine on. No issues. One of the best mods, hands down, for the strom.