Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Xelvic on September 07, 2012, 11:18:01 AM

Title: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 07, 2012, 11:18:01 AM
So I have a 2012 with the little storage box on the left side of the top fairing. I noticed that it gets real hot in there and didn't want to put anything in there especially my cell phone. So I took some Thermo-Tec I had laying around and decided to try some on it. After the instal I went on a 150 mile ride and got the bike good and hot. Now the inside of the box is not hot at all!! I can now put whatever I want in there without worrying about baking it to death. Just thought I would share.

Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: gPink on September 07, 2012, 11:26:44 AM
You've just rendered the sandwich warmer useless.  ::)
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: RBX QB on September 07, 2012, 11:35:57 AM
So I have a 2012 with the little storage box on the left side of the top fairing. I noticed that it gets real hot in there and didn't want to put anything in there especially my cell phone. So I took some Thermo-Tec I had laying around and decided to try some on it. After the instal I went on a 150 mile ride and got the bike good and hot. Now the inside of the box is not hot at all!! I can now put whatever I want in there without worrying about baking it to death. Just thought I would share.

Copycat. Well, not really, because I never posted... but I did the same basic thing. I also put an extra power outlet in there, too... so I can charge things in inclement weather, and the hot box prevented me from really wanting to do that. Of course, I haven't been in any real bad weather this year, so I've just been using the factory socket in the dash (and phone in a tank bag).

Really wish Kaw would have done either of these mods from the factory.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 07, 2012, 11:59:40 AM
Copycat. Well, not really, because I never posted... but I did the same basic thing. I also put an extra power outlet in there, too... so I can charge things in inclement weather, and the hot box prevented me from really wanting to do that. Of course, I haven't been in any real bad weather this year, so I've just been using the factory socket in the dash (and phone in a tank bag).

Really wish Kaw would have done either of these mods from the factory.

Ha Ha...If you don't post it, it doesn't exist!!  That's a great idea putting a 12 volt jack in there. I'm going to do that next. Than I can put my phone in there and charge it at the same time. That will let me use my Sena Bluetooth connection to my phone without killing the phone battery on long trips. I likey!!
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: RBX QB on September 07, 2012, 12:30:03 PM
Ha Ha...If you don't post it, it doesn't exist!!  That's a great idea putting a 12 volt jack in there. I'm going to do that next. Than I can put my phone in there and charge it at the same time. That will let me use my Sena Bluetooth connection to my phone without killing the phone battery on long trips. I likey!!

Just think about how you wire it. I have the new outlet as "always on", so I could theoretically charge something while I'm off the bike getting a bite to eat. The risk is forgetting, and running the battery down... then you'll have to read the thread for how to push-start the Connie. So far, I've only needed to charge things while riding, so this hasn't been an issue.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: ZG on September 07, 2012, 12:57:51 PM
You've just rendered the sandwich warmer useless.  ::)

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Caffeinated on September 07, 2012, 01:27:46 PM
I've been meaning to do that for a long time...My sunglasses are usually in the box, and I'm afraid the heat is going to affect the plastic frames at some point.

Does Lowes/HD have that wrap stuff?
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 07, 2012, 01:28:23 PM
You've just rendered the sandwich warmer useless.  ::)

No...I can just throw the Kipass in there and activate it's heating element.  :P
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 07, 2012, 01:30:11 PM


Does Lowes/HD have that wrap stuff?

No, but you can find it at some auto stores. I got mine at JEGS. It's usually used for firewalls on vehicles.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: RBX QB on September 07, 2012, 02:24:15 PM
No, but you can find it at some auto stores. I got mine at JEGS. It's usually used for firewalls on vehicles.

Dynamat has a similar product, so you could also check local custom car audio shops and see what they have around. If they have scraps laying around, you might even get a good deal.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 07, 2012, 02:45:16 PM
Good posting, Xelvic!  :goodpost:   You've earned a cookie.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: danl on September 08, 2012, 06:58:26 AM
That's a good idea, thanks for sharing! All I keep in there is my "car wallet" with the registration and insurance card, and the excess wire from my XM radio antenna. It'd be nice to use it for my phone.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: mvjr1904 on September 08, 2012, 08:49:15 AM
First I heard of any heat issue in the glove box. I'll keep an eye and thermometer on it.  I only keep my Reg/Ins card, my transponder and a mini flashlight in there. I better test the flashlight, I wonder if it will fit under the seat?
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 08, 2012, 09:37:34 AM
First I heard of any heat issue in the glove box. I'll keep an eye and thermometer on it.  I only keep my Reg/Ins card, my transponder and a mini flashlight in there. I better test the flashlight, I wonder if it will fit under the seat?

I would bet it gets around 150 degrees in there. That's probably why they have that sticker in the box that says "no fob" so you don't damage it. I put my droid in there on my first ride home when I picked it up. It was almost to hot to handle after I took it out. I have a friend who is a motor cop and they all ride ST1300's. I know their not C14's but he told me on the ST1300's that guys put their wallet in their glove box and it would melt their credit cards. I'm in Southern AZ too, so the 110+ days probably play into that as well.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: PH14 on September 08, 2012, 10:35:28 AM
I would bet it gets around 150 degrees in there. That's probably why they have that sticker in the box that says "no fob" so you don't damage it.

I'm sure they put the sticker there so you won't leave it there, allowing anyone to start you bike and go.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: OregonLAN on September 11, 2012, 09:29:00 AM
I wonder how well this stuff would work on the underside of the gas tank...
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: twowheeladdict on September 11, 2012, 11:21:36 AM
I'm sure they put the sticker there so you won't leave it there, allowing anyone to start you bike and go.

+1

I keep my registration and spare ear plugs in there.  Can't think of anything else I would want to put in there.  I always keep my cell phone in it's otter box on my person.  If I am ever separated from my bike against my will I hope I am conscious enough to call for help.  I have read about a couple of cases where the rider was run off the road and layed in the ditch for a couple of days because they were too injured to get to their cell phone which was with the bike.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Rhino on September 11, 2012, 11:24:59 AM
 :goodpost: I like to throw my GPS in there when parked but afraid to do so on hot days. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: stewart on September 11, 2012, 11:31:45 AM
OP great idea. I have USB power and stereo lead for my Zumo running the the box, so I can use my phone and Pandora or similar service.....but yes I get damn hot.

I'm going to look for this magical wrap now.
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: gPink on September 11, 2012, 11:37:23 AM
Try this:  http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/home (http://www.heatshieldproducts.com/home)
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Xelvic on September 11, 2012, 03:56:21 PM
This is what I used. It comes in different sizes. http://www.jegs.com/i/Thermo+Tec/893/14610/10002/-1 (http://www.jegs.com/i/Thermo+Tec/893/14610/10002/-1)
Title: Re: My HOT BOX fix!!
Post by: Armyguns on September 11, 2012, 04:08:48 PM
I would bet it gets around 150 degrees in there.

68deg F air temp here in NJ today.  40 mile ride home from work.  127deg F inside the box with my IR thermometer against the back wall (closest to the grip heat control knob on the 2010).  112 F on the front inside wall.  I know it gets hotter as the air temp increases.  I keep a Kryptonite rotor lock in there all the time. This is a big heat-sink.  It has been so hot that I could not hold it in my bare hands, but I had not actually measured it.