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Problem with Oxford Hot grip

17K views 49 replies 21 participants last post by  greywolf 
#1 ·
Bought my 650 k7 with Oxford Hotgrips and the left grip does not heat.
Had the garage to check it out and they said that the wiring was fine but the control unit was not giving any power on one of the sides. After that both sides worked for a while, but now the left has stopped heating again. In addition, I hate the button.

So:
1. I dont like the control, the "buttons" are very hard to press. Would have much preferred proper buttons.
2. See little reason to replace the handles since they obviously work, it is only the control unit that is not working properly.

What to do? Can I get a replacement for the oxford control? Are there other controls that would do the same job but that has better buttons?

Thanks for any ideas on this. I really need the heated grips since I do commute with the bike every week, also in December...
 
#2 ·
I like these better. A continuously variable rang on a single knob works great for me.
 
#4 ·
If you register at the site, a simple handgrip heat troller is $55.
 
#5 ·
One or both of my Oxfords stopped working after I installed them. Turned out the fitting had spread the connectors too much. Bent in the females with a metal probe and all was well.
 
#7 ·
Old bike had the OEM grips with a 'troller type control. Put the Oxfords on the new bike and went with the standard switch to save a few bucks. The Head-troller would definitely have been a better choice and I'm probably going to have to cough up the bucks to get one. I haven't figured out where to mount the Oxford switch. Since I've got Hippo Hands I can't mount it in the usual place because I wouldn't be able to see it. Can't feel the buttons well enough to change settings while in motion. With the heat troller, just rotate it a bit, doesn't matter if I can tell exactly what the setting is, just adjust again if it isn't quite right. Ok, I think I know something to add to Santa's list.
 
#8 ·
This morning (the first sub 30 ride of the year!!!), I went out early to start the bike and let my grips warm up (set them to 100%). When i started riding down the road I noticed my grips were not hot! They never did heat up. I pressed the button to turn them off and back on and nothing. I stopped for coffee and turned the bike off, then back on, and nothing. Got my coffee came back to the bike and turned it and the grips on...and they worked...Any thoughts?

I didn't even wiggle any connectors (though they are strapped and taped up pretty good so wiggling them probably wouldn't even move them)
 
#9 ·
The Oxford controller turns the grips off if the available voltage is low.
 
#11 ·
It would depend on the electrical load, the condition of the charging system and the quality of the connections. A marginal connection would fit the symptoms.
 
#15 ·
This was a long time ago, but i wanted to rant.

So with this system, it is actually really easy to tell where the problem is. When there is no heat, the controller-panel is lit up just like normal. So I know the DIN connector probably isn't the problem (assuming no pins are bent).

And since it is both grips that are not heating, then it must be the little white connector from the controller-box to the pig-tail which goes to the two grips connectors. I'm assuming the wires aren't pushed in good, or come unseated with vibration inside the connector. Because all i have to do is reach down and jiggle it (probably not smart while riding, but i get cold! lol) and they start heating up.

So, my question is, has anyone out there snipped off these connectors and used something else? I'd prefer not to permenantly attach the wires by crimping or soldering, because i like the thought of being able to unplug them (for whatever reason). Is there another set of connectors that are more reliable?

thanks.
 
#13 ·
I replaced the POS controller twice. The third time I replaced it with a DPDT 3 position toggle switch. I wired one side of the switch in parallel and the other in series with the center off. This yields a high and low heat setting that has worked out very well even running Grip Puppies.
 
#16 ·
not being a smart a$$ but do you see yourself needing to take heated grips off and on? why not solder? if you NEED to unplug them for some reason side cuts or a pocket knife work well.
 
#17 ·
The only reason I can think is in the case of installing new accessories and wanting to rerun wires. It is VERY crowded inside there and I did quite a bit of studying before deciding where everything would go.

Anyways, that might end up being my solution, just hoping the find a more reliable plug i could use instead.
 
#19 ·
Okay, so I found the problem. I pulled apart the cheap plastic main connector going to the controller box and then to the pigtails and I noticed some brown scarring on 1 of the pins. It looks like the flange opening had been shoved open a little bit, probably my fault, and it was likely causing arcing or loss of connection, and the arcing was likely creating a lot of heat. So, I wasn't able to get
posi lock
connectors because the nearest retailer of them is not conveniently located. So I just decided to use mechanical crimps. It works great now and I think the grips are hotter now that they are not losing connection

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#26 ·
Here's a possibility for DIY types. I bought a controller 5 or 6 years ago for my heated grips. Bought from an individual that lived in Germany, and unfortunately no longer have his contact info. Looks similar to Heattroller, but mounts under the left mirror stem. I think it would not be too difficult to fabricate a mount like this that could be used with a Heattroller.

 
#28 · (Edited)
New update. In my search for information on the Oxford grips I have found that those of you who do not live in the litigious United States get the new Premium heated grips from Oxford. Checking other forums it appears they are not in the U.S. 2013 Oxford catalog and Twisted Throttle, an Oxford dealer, has no information on them.

new-hotgrips

They come in different styles for different bike types, have a new sonic welded controller and supposedly better control buttons. I may have to email the UK and get a set.
 
#31 ·
#32 ·
I like that Hot Grips are US made but as I live in the land of no stocking dealers I have to ask how comfortable are they? Years ago I used to sell them and they were a harder compound and not very comfortable. I like a small diameter softer grip. The diameter appears close to stock which is great. I see I can posibly get this as a kit from Lockitt a company I had never heard of till mountainmeterman mentioned them. The Oxford grip is still in the running. I could have saved a lot of money with a little more research here before shelling out for the oem grips thinking they would be better.
 
#34 ·
I installed the

oxford heated grips witht the LED controller. One thing I found that I thought might have been an issue is that when you first turn it on, it is on the lowest setting. Hit the + and it goes all the way to the highest setting. Once the grips are warmed up, you can turn it down or up. I called Twisted throttle about this as there was nothing mentioned in the instructions. They were not sure either but after a couple of phone calls they told me that this is normal and is a new "software change". Very happy with the performance so far. Wish they came with shorter lead to the remote box.
 
#35 ·
New question on the 2012 Adventure model. When installing the Oxford grips what do you do about the large molded plastic ring that locks the stock throttle grip on near the switch end? I got the new Oxford Premier grips and when I cut the OEM grip off I found this and another plastic ring at the end that I easily removed and the entire length has ridges on it that I figure I can remove but the large one on the end has me puzzled. :confused: I am open for any suggestions.
 
#36 ·
Grind it off.
 
#37 ·
Thought that was going to be the answer but grinding on the throttle pipe was not my idea of a good time. I think it is going into work tomorrow for a government job for the machinist.
 
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