Hand Warmer Installation
Riding all terrain vehicles in climates that approach freezing or below freezing weather can have adverse effects on the rider. Although a rider can bundle up against the cold to protect his body and feet, his hands can suffer a partial paralysis and numbness when exposed to the elements. Heavy gloves can hamper the operation of the controls. Hand warmers solve the problem with electric pads that fit underneath the hand grips. A rider can turn the hand warmers on via a small switching box for low or high settings.
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Things You'll Need
- Vehicle owner's manual
- Socket set
- Ratchet wrench
- Alcohol
- Rags
- Hand warmer kit
- Drill motor
- Drill bit
- Screwdrivers
- Wire strippers
Instructions
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1
Access your battery under the seat or through a side box panel. Use a socket to remove the negative battery cable. Place the vehicle in park with the brake set. Remove the handle bar grips from the bars, by twisting and pulling off the non-throttle grip. Use a screwdriver to loosen the throttle side grip and pull the grip off. Clean the handle bar ends with alcohol and rags, removing all grease, oil and film.
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2
Open the hand warmer kit and size up the control switch for a convenient location near the handle bars or top of the front forks. Look for a plastic fairing that can receive one drill hole to mount the switch. The underside of the switch should be open, with enough clearance to attach the wires.
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3
Leave enough wire length from the grips to the switch. Use a drill motor and 13/16 drill bit to drill the hole in your mounting location. Attach the switch with the mounting bolt provided and tighten it with a screwdriver or socket. Locate a 12-volt hot wire from your control box. Such a wire will be colored red-white or orange-white.
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4
Remove your headlight case with a screwdriver, and look for the main hot wire at that location, if it provides an easier route. Remove the adhesive backing on the hand warmer pads and wrap them over the handle bar ends, with the wires facing palm down.
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5
Reinstall the grips; twist on the non-throttle grip; loosen the clamp on the throttle grip and place it over the hand warmer pad. Tighten the throttle grip clamp with a screwdriver. Use the kit tie wraps to route the grip wires to the switch box.
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6
Use wire strippers to cut all ends of the grip wires, leaving enough room to connect to the switch box. Strip the end of the red-white power wire (from the grips) and crimp a female spade connector on it. Attach the slip-on spade to the switch box hot terminal, which will be the middle terminal.
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Strip the end of the brown ground wire and attach an eyelet connector on it. Unscrew any bolt or screw on the frame that has a ground connection and place the eyelet under it and tighten it with a socket or screwdriver. Strip the end of the solid blue wire and attach a piggyback connector on it.
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8
Attach the blue wire to the top terminal on the switch box. Use wire strippers to strip the end of the blue-red wire and attach a piggyback connector on it. Attach the blue-red wire to the bottom terminal on the switch box. Use the kit tie straps to bundle the wires. Turn the handle to the left and right at their full stop positions to make sure no wires stretch or bind.
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Use a socket to reconnect the negative battery cable, and replace the side cover if you have removed one. Replace the headlight case, if you have removed it, and tighten the mounting screws with a screwdriver. Turn the ignition key to the on position. To test the warms, move the selector on the switch box to either the "Low" or "High" setting and wait for the grips to warm up.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult your owner's manual for the best hot wire location from your 12-volt system. For instance, you might have a horn button or turning signal switch that has a 12-volt power wire. You can make the connection there for the main hot wire.
Pay strict attention to the wiring diagram supplied with the kit. Pay particular attention to the wire colors and the terminals they connect to.
References
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