Alternative controller for Synergy Clothing

[Whosoever]

I don't know how many of you who own the Tourmaster/Synergy electric vest,liner or gloves and have had problems with the controller like I have had. I own the vest and gloves. The vest is in it's third season and is very good....when the included controller works. Tourmaster is the first to admit there is a problem and will replace the controller like they did mine. But now the replacement is only working part of the time. Because of this I went looking for alternatives.
Warm and Safe makes an adapter for the Tourmaster that will enable you to use their controller. Here is a link to the page that has the materials needed:
http://www.warmnsafe.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=66&zenid=hdpl6i5ptn47t8pmkcrtgfgu42

By the way during the process of ordering I noticed an option to relate to ADV Rider on the order page. I checked it without realizing I would get a discount on the two items I bought. Ordered on Sunday in my hand by Wednesday...all the way from California via Priority Mail.

I hooked it up yesterday with no problems....the simple controller i bought even has a remote. Now that is neat. Now the heat stays on and garmet feels soooooo good on a winter ride. P^

[snowclem]

Pat,

All of my gear is Warm and safe. I too have the wireless controller and it's mounted on the clutch resevoir with velcro. It's been there for 2 years now. When you replace that vest get the full liner from W&S. Good that you got that fixed before Alaska.

Richard

[Dusty Boots]

Ya .... I had my 1st Gen TM heat controller die on me the 2nd day I used it! (June 2009) :mad: :(
Luckily for me, after learning that TM was back ordered on these infamous controllers, I spotted a thread over on ADV, with a fix, using a couple of 'jumper wires' to bypass the TM connection and ordered a FirstGear variable controller and have been happy with it since. P^


Dusty

[snowclem]

First gear controllers are made by W&S.

Richard

[Trekker]

I also converted to a W&S controller, and am very happy.

Note- when I first tried it, my jacket wasn't warming up consistantly like it should, so I opened a seam to look at whats going on. I discovered all five wires going to the large controller connector were nicked & three had broken off. Re-soldered them all together and VIOLA! Works great.

[ImRubicon]

Sounds to me more like dont buy this gear ????
If you already have then use bypass but threads like these would make me pass on it altogether

[snowclem]

Just to be clear, Warm and Safe and First Gear are seperate companies. Synergy is the company that Pat indicated had the controller problem.

Richard

[Whosoever]

Synergy is Tourmaster which is owned by Helmet House. As a follow up at the same time that I ordered the W&S controller I also dropped an email to Tourmaster. They responded the other day saying I was on the list for Controller replacement but that particular unit was on back order. Therefore, they are offering to replace it with Synergy 2.0 which is the 2nd Generation of this vest/liner. But the email is a bit confusing as I don't know if they are talking about replacing the whole garmet or just the controller. As mentioned earlier I have both the vest and the gloves. The vest is in it's 4th season, the gloves 3rd. Both are warranted for 3 years. I need to find my receipt for the vest to see what is going to happen. One thing in their behalf...they appear to have good customer service. I do know I've bought a lot of the Tourmaster products with miminal problems.
Another problem is if they want the vest i would loose the opportunity to ride in cold weather until the replacement arrives......who knows how long that would be. I may just forego the whole issue now that I have the W&S controller. And, Richard...I really like that remote which is something Synergy doesn't offer. W&S controller with the remote was less than $50 bucks....including shipping. Should anyone buy from them....look for the ADV discount.

[Dusty Boots]

Looks like I have a similar offer from TM as well, Pat.
On another forum, after warning people about their heat controller problem and my fix for it, I received this PM from another member ....


Hey Dusty, Bravo here.



I had been exchanging emails back and forth with Monica at Tour Master, which resulted in the replacement jacket that I posted about. I got an email from her today - I had told them about our forum and that I had given them a good word. Turns out she looked herself and noticed you were having issues with your controller and it sounds like she wants to help you. Here's the text she sent -



"Ken,


Thanks for sending this. I will pass it on.

One favor...I see Dusty is having some issues with his Gen.1 Synergy controller. Let him know the new 2.0 controller will work on the Gen. 1 Synergy with an adapter (warranty #88-600W). I know he's in Canada and we do have an exclusive distributor there but in this case, contacting me will be best for him. We can get him a replacement controller with adapter if he wishes...just warn him, we're waiting for them to come in. Should be within a month or so. I can put him on the list for one if he can send me his shipping info...???

Ride Safe,

Monica
Tour Master/Cortech
customer Service Dept.

Dusty, I'm not sure if she's saying she'd send you what you need for free or not but I'd check it out if I were you. Just go to the Tour Master site and I guess fill out a form for customer service like I originally did but specify it to go to Monica and see what happens - good luck and maybe they'll fix you right up!

Ken (Bravo)


I haven't followed up on it yet, as my current set up is working pretty good, although the gloves (which I rarely use anymore) don't heat up as much when connected right now to the jacket, as they did with the TM heat controller, so I may look into it just for the heck of it.

Dusty

[Whosoever]

I haven't followed up on it yet, as my current set up is working pretty good, although the gloves (which I rarely use anymore) don't heat up as much when connected right now to the jacket, as they did with the TM heat controller, so I may look into it just for the heck of it.

I noticed that also...matter of fact the controller would not stay on....so I just ran an extra connect off the battery for the gloves....they came with it...but I didn't use it. Solved the problem!

[Bipeflier]

I have the 2nd Gen TM jacket. Have used it for a year now with no issues what so ever.

I am very happy with the TM gear.

[Whosoever]

I am very happy with the TM gear.

I've got more TM stuff than I care to admit. All good quality...I hope you never have a problem with your Synergy stuff...but if and when you do...you know where to go to get a quality fix. P^