Gerbings Port/Controller Installation

[ASLRider]

I'm thinking about a permanent gerbing port installation. The powerlet port isn't in a convenient spot for my heated gear (just about at my shin on my shifting foot) so if I could get a port installed on the body of the bike that would be much more convenient. While I was thinking of that, I came across the permanent install dual temp controller (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/gerb ... controller) and the port (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/gerb ... unted-port). Any thoughts on this? I imagine this would involve getting to the battery, routing cables up to a suitable position on the fairing, drilling holes in the body at those locations and installing the ports/control knobs. I also just don't know if the permanent install controller knobs and the ports are compatible- I am guessing I would want the ports located just beneath the corresponding knob. Has anyone done this? Would anyone be interested in helping me do it....?

[guitardad]

Thanks for the link to those port connectors, Gerrard. I think I might put the ports on the right side, on the body panel that mounts up under the tank, close to the front of the seat. On my Olympia Phantom riding suit, which is what I'm typically wearing when it's cold enogh for the heated gear, the cables come out from the zipper a little to the right of center. But I'd want the control knobs where I could reach with my left hand, so I can adjust without taking my right hand off the throttle.

This is the replacement for the remote operated controller I have, that we talked about yesterday: linky Mine has the control knobs attached with a cable - looks like they've now gone wireless.

I'd be glad to help out, but my work schedule has me in lynchburg most weeks right now. Might not be able to get it done for this season if you wait for me.

[ASLRider]

Thanks Chaz!

I just put in an order with Revzilla for those controllers, so I'll probably know more once I can get my hands on them. My service guy (who has serviced this bike for years) said that he could do this type of installation for about $100. Any idea if that's reasonable? I am certainly going to take a look and see if its something I would be comfortable doing myself when I get the equipment in- I am guessing that safely and securely routing the wires is the "hard part". That sound right?

Any special fuse/electrical system stuff I should be aware of with such an installation?

[Yellowjacket]

Thanks Chaz!

I just put in an order with Revzilla for those controllers, so I'll probably know more once I can get my hands on them. My service guy (who has serviced this bike for years) said that he could do this type of installation for about $100. Any idea if that's reasonable? I am certainly going to take a look and see if its something I would be comfortable doing myself when I get the equipment in- I am guessing that safely and securely routing the wires is the "hard part". That sound right?

Any special fuse/electrical system stuff I should be aware of with such an installation?

A Centech AP-2 fuse panel may be a good addition unless you are planning to wire the controller directly to the battery.

[ASLRider]

A Centech AP-2 fuse panel may be a good addition unless you are planning to wire the controller directly to the battery.

What would be the advantage of installing a Centech fuse panel, as opposed to wiring direct to the battery?

[Yellowjacket]

A Centech AP-2 fuse panel may be a good addition unless you are planning to wire the controller directly to the battery.

What would be the advantage of installing a Centech fuse panel, as opposed to wiring direct to the battery?

The Centech gives you the option of wiring the Gerbing controller to a fused switchable circuit. Power comes on when you turn on the ignition and/or start the bike. The Centech can also provide a fused unswitched circuit to the battery If you wish. When I first started using the Gerbing liners/gloves/socks, I'd forget to turn off the controller when I am gassing up or riding in stop and go traffic for a long period of time. Depending on the type of bike and how well your battery is charged for the trip, the full set of Gerbing can drain enough current in a matter of minutes so your bike will have trouble starting up. These days I turn on my controller after starting the bike and let the bike warm up for a couple of minutes and turn it off to gas up. I use the Centech as a hub to wire the Gerbing, GPS, Russell heated seat, etc., to a central location on the bike. Double check the fuse that may be inline of the controller and it should be rated at 20 amps.

[ASLRider]

Power comes on when you turn on the ignition and/or start the bike.

Ahhhh. I guess that this is where I am lost. Currently I use an accessory port adapter to power my gear, and that automatically goes on/off when the bike is on/off. So when I wire it directly to the battery, you are saying that won't be the case- correct?

[Yellowjacket]

Power comes on when you turn on the ignition and/or start the bike.

Ahhhh. I guess that this is where I am lost. Currently I use an accessory port adapter to power my gear, and that automatically goes on/off when the bike is on/off. So when I wire it directly to the battery, you are saying that won't be the case- correct?

Correct. Centech AP2 gives you both options.

[ASLRider]

Ok I just received the Gerbings connector equipment today, and it all looks pretty straightforward. The dual controller definitely can plug in to the permanent port mounts.

I've reviewed all my manuals and I'm now pretty confident I can do this on my own- just have to remove fairing and expose the battery terminals to attach the controller, then find a convenient way to route the wires and set the "brain" of the gerbing box, drill a hole in the left side of the front fairing for the controllers, then route wires to the port locations (wherever I decide those will be).

Off hand, does this soound like something I would need to remove the gas tank for to route wires safely? That is something I've never done.

The Gerbing instructions also indicate that if the controllers (the little dial knobs) will be in a place exposed to the weather then they should be "sealed". The only thing I can think of for this would be teflon tape.... other options for sealing these small holes once the equipment is in place?

-G

[guitardad]

Are you putting the controller up at the flat black panels in the fairing? If so, I'd probably pull the tank off. If Karl put quick disconnects in the fuel lines, it won't be that hard. There are two high-pressure fule lines (hopefully with quick disconnects), two vent hoses, one electrical connector. Make sure you make which vent hose is which - one goes to the charcoal cannister for fuel vapro, and one goes to the ground to drain any water that gets in around the gas cap. You have to remove one big bolt at the back of the tank, and four little screws that hold the front fairing to the front of the tank.

For sealing the controller, I might try some silicone RTV. Probably start with some bathtub caulk from Home Depot.

[ASLRider]

Are you putting the controller up at the flat black panels in the fairing? If so, I'd probably pull the tank off. If Karl put quick disconnects in the fuel lines, it won't be that hard. There are two high-pressure fule lines (hopefully with quick disconnects), two vent hoses, one electrical connector. Make sure you make which vent hose is which - one goes to the charcoal cannister for fuel vapro, and one goes to the ground to drain any water that gets in around the gas cap. You have to remove one big bolt at the back of the tank, and four little screws that hold the front fairing to the front of the tank.

For sealing the controller, I might try some silicone RTV. Probably start with some bathtub caulk from Home Depot.

Thanks for the info Chaz- I do remember Karl mentioning a quick disconnect but I'd have to double check.

Initially I was thinking about the front panels, near where the heated grip controls are, but now I'm not so sure. We talked about that being an inconvenient spot where you have to lean over at a weird angle to get at it. I've been thinking about putting it on the left side fairing just above where my left knee sits, which might be an easier spot for the install, and more convenient. When I get some time to take off the fairing I'm going to look at the ease of install factor as well. Thoughts on that location?

-G

[shelion]

I don't have much to add to this discussion other than this tip: Once you decide on the specific day you're going to do the work, don't absentmindedly gas up the bike to full the day before. Been there, done that, ended up leaving the controller install for another day (which turned out to be never actually).

[ASLRider]

I don't have much to add to this discussion other than this tip: Once you decide on the specific day you're going to do the work, don't absentmindedly gas up the bike to full the day before. Been there, done that, ended up leaving the controller install for another day (which turned out to be never actually).

Ahhh.. I'm guessing the reasoning behind this is that the gas tank is heavy and unwieldy when full? I'm hoping not to have to remove it at all, but I'm doing some reconnaisance this afternoon and then I'll know more.

[shelion]

Ahhh.. I'm guessing the reasoning behind this is that the gas tank is heavy and unwieldy when full?

Bingo! The gas sloshing around just makes it that much worse. The last bike I had (a Rockster) required that the tank be removed to access the battery. I was going to install a controller lead at a tech day and as the tech day was a bit of a ride from my house, not thinking I tanked up prior to the appointed day. When I went to install the lead, I realized that a big metal tank with 20+ lbs of gas sloshing around in it was not something that I was going to remove without a high probability of expensive damage to me or the tank. So I scuttled the install and instead spent my time annoying other people and playing this very cool Gran Prix video game at the tech day site.

[radon222]

I realized that a big metal tank with 20+ lbs of gas sloshing around in it

Oh yea? Try doing that with an ADV tank...DAMHIK