Battery Heated Jacket

[SpudRider]

After doing a lot of research, I decided to buy a Heatcore heated jacket from The Sportsman's Guide for $54.99.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1529929



This jacket is very similar to the Milwaukee Heated Jacket, which sells for $149.00 at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee...94-L/205339970





The Heatcore jacket comes with a rechargeable battery, but I would like to buy a spare battery, with more capacity. I want the spare battery to be rectangular, so it will fit inside the jacket more comfortably. Can anyone recommend a quality, inexpensive, rectangular, 4.5 AHr battery which also has a rapid charger?

[Weldangrind]

It's a 12v battery pack, so why can't you just power it off of your bike(s)?

[SpudRider]

I'm getting the jacket for general use. I do intend to use the jacket on my bikes, but I mainly intend to use it off the the bikes. Also, I don't want to be tethered to my bikes with a cord, especially while riding off road. In addition, I'm not sure the electrical system of my CRF250X can handle the load.

I'm thinking about getting one of these battery packs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portable-DC-...p2054897.l4275

[Weldangrind]

Not a bad idea. I wonder if the connector is the same diameter; that would sure make it easy.

[FastDoc]

Wow great research and thrift Spud!

My new Gerbig heated jacket liner was $220, and that's with my discount (I'm the shop owner's doctor, and I take care of 3/4 of the staff and spouses...).

BTW don't worry about the tether. I have tested this feature off road and the disconnect plugs work fine, LOL!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Not a bad idea. I wonder if the connector is the same diameter; that would sure make it easy.

I'm pretty sure the connector is the same size. However, if it isn't, I don't think it would be too difficult to make an adapter. I could also power the vest with Milwaukee (or DeWalt ), lithium battery packs. Both companies provide their jackets with adapters which accept their battery packs, and connect to the jackets' coaxial connectors. For example, Milwaukee provides the 12V adapter with their jackets, and also offers an 18V adapter for their larger battery packs.



I could buy either Milwaukee power adapter (12V or 18V) for $30, and power my Heatcore (YesMind) heated jacket with Milwaukee batteries.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accesso...ers/49-24-2310



http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accesso...ers/49-24-2371



I can even purchase Chinese copies of the Milwaukee, 1.5 AHr, 12V lithium battery for $17.95.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Milwauke...item3382b35c48



However, I don't want to spend $30 for a Milwaukee power adapter, when I only spent $54.99 for the entire jacket. Also, the M12 batteries only have 1.5 AHr capacity, and they are triangular. I don't own any Milwaukee tools, so I would like to spend less money for a higher capacity, longer-lasting battery pack which is rectangular, and fits more comfortably in the battery pocket.

[FastDoc]

You may be on to something here Spud.

Just the battery for the Gerbing is $150!

I run the system off the bike except for the YZF. On that bikeI plan to adapt a gel cell battery that I have that is just big enough to barely fit in a large pocket on my jacket.

I am looking forward to a ride/product report.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Wow great research and thrift Spud!

My new Gerbig heated jacket liner was $220, and that's with my discount (I'm the shop owner's doctor, and I take care of 3/4 of the staff and spouses...).

BTW don't worry about the tether. I have tested this feature off road and the disconnect plugs work fine, LOL!

I can see a lot of uses for this jacket during the colder months. The jacket is much less bulky than heavy clothing, so it would be nice for changing tires and working on the bikes while outside during the spring and fall, et cetera. It would also be easy to pack this jacket on the motorcycle's luggage rack for all-day rides. As you know, Bill, it can get cold in East Idaho after the sun goes down, even in summer. It would be nice to pull out this lightweight jacket, turn on the power, and ride home in comfort. I'm also sure this jacket will nicely complement the heated grips on my bikes.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

You may be on to something here Spud.

Just the battery for the Gerbing is $150!

I run the system off the bike except for the YZF. On that bikeI plan to adapt a gel cell battery that I have that is just big enough to barely fit in a large pocket on my jacket.

I am looking forward to a ride/product report.

Thank you, Bill. I'm convinced I have definitely found an excellent value, with many good applications.

While riding my motorcycle, I plan to wear this jacket as another layer under my raincoat, which is windproof. Instead of packing a sweatshirt, I plan to pack this heated jacket.

[SpudRider]

I would still like input for my original question. What battery pack should I get for my YesMind (Heatcore) heated jacket, which I bought from The Sportsman's Guide?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YesMind-Heat...-/120997037951

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1529929

The Milwaukee M12 batteries will certainly work with this jacket. They are very rugged, and designed to handle heavy loads. Also, the Chinese copies of these batteries are not very expensive. However, I don't like the triangular shape, and the relatively low capacity.

The rectangular battery packs are less expensive, and have a higher capacity, as well as having a more comfortable shape. I won't need to purchase a Milwaukee power adapter for an additional $30 if I get one of the rectangular battery packs. However, I wonder about the durability, safety, and quality of these general purpose, battery packs while using them in a heated jacket application. I hope someone can recommend a well manufactured, durable, rectangular, lithium battery pack with a low price.

[SpudRider]

Incidentally, I can also get a 12V, automotive power adapter for this jacket.



After installing a 12V outlet on my motorcycle, I could power the jacket directly from the bike's battery.

[GlennR]

Spud,

You rock. Great Find.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

You may be on to something here Spud.

Just the battery for the Gerbing is $150!

I run the system off the bike except for the YZF. On that bikeI plan to adapt a gel cell battery that I have that is just big enough to barely fit in a large pocket on my jacket.

I am looking forward to a ride/product report.

I suggest you also consider the Antigravity 4-Cell battery.

http://antigravitybatteries.com/ag-401/



This battery also has enough power to jump start your other motorcycles.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by GlennR

Spud,

You rock. Great Find.

Thank you, Glenn. If anyone else decides to order the Heatcore heated jacket, make sure you enter the code for free shipping.

A nice advantage of the Milwaukee, M12 battery packs is the quick recharge time. You can recharge the M12 battery packs in 30-45 minutes. The cheap, Chinese battery packs take 8-10 hours to recharge. However, the Chinese battery packs have a greater capacity, so the overnight recharge times shouldn't be a problem if you have two battery packs.

[GlennR]

Got one ordered today!

Thanks for mentioning the free shipping code. I had to call for it.