I need to tap a hot wire for making a connection for a heated vest. My wife came home from the Thrift store, where she volunteers, with this vest. It's an Eclipse brand. It has a 2 wire trailer type connector but no controller. I plugged it straight into a spare battery in my shop and was quite comfortable working out there with the shop heater off.

Does anyone know of a kit with switch, fuse and wire tap I can use? I'm not real fond of my home made compression connectors, tape and heat shrink connections.

Does anyone know if this vest had some type controller on it originally? It never got too hot when I was running it straight off the battery with no resistor or thermostat. I could not find reference to anything searching the net...

She brought pant liners too. So the items were essentially free, but how much will it cost me now??

sharkey try this .....dont know what your really looking for..lol

http://www.eclipseluggage.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=E&Category_Code=Wacc

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/electric_clothing/photo_09.html

* Last updated by: scottjkyl on 2/9/2010 @ 4:08 PM *

Thanks again scott...
I had "seen" these controllers but i hesitate to order something I can't see an image of...LOL

How about these Sharkey? www.cozywinters.com.(temp controller(s)for heated clothing).Just install the small pigtail onto your battery(doubles for a batterytender)and you just plug the "harness" pigtail into the battery pigtail,and on to your heated gear.Only need ONE controller(if you're riding one up).I found however that using the bikes powersupply(battery and alternator)and powering up gloves,jacket liner,and pant liner did not produce a very warm effect.It works,but you won't get "hot" using all three items.(at least mine doesn't).But it will keep you comfy enough to withstand some major windchill.I bought the "non-permanent" mounting model-clips VERY securely to any strap on your jacket or pant pocket-and the little knob is easy to find and operate without looking(with gloves on).I run mine full on.Kept my ride possible in 30 degree weather. ....this is the batterytender pigtail-notice the connectors on it.Those are the connectors you would want...NOT the BMW style.The temp controller pigtail will come with one end like these,and the other end a co-axial,to fit into your heated gear.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 2/11/2010 @ 11:58 AM *

Yea blue, that's pretty much what I had in mind. After surfing a bunch of sites I found a basic harness with fuse and switch. I'm going to try that first. Like I said, I wired it straight to a battery and it never got more than warm and comfy. You say you run on high all the time...this would be similar. These things come modular so I could add to it later. I don't want to spend much trying to make a "free" item work. I always taught my kids...there is no free lunch! You always pay...one way or another...

Ya-the switch will work for ya.I could have saved a couple o'bucks goin that route as well,but I had NO idea how warm my gear was gonna get.I didn't really need the adjustable controller at all.The output of the "alternator" is what really controls the heat level.I've come to realize that MY bike just BARELY kicks enough "extra" power out for my jacket,gloves and pants.And only if I keep er at the upper rpm levels(meaning-5000 or so).Saved me from windburn though.And frozen fingers!

Deltran or powerlet will haVE a lead for your battery