Having clear vision when operating a snowmobile isn’t just a convenience issue, it’s also vital to your safety.
The following article about installing a heated visor outlet appeared in the October 2017 issue of Snow Goer. Although it’s specific to a Ski-Doo, the steps are quite similar among brands.
I Can See Clearly Now
How To Install A Heated Visor Plug-In
Nobody likes to have unclear vision when riding a snowmobile – phantom bumps in the trails can seemingly shorten a rider’s spine, not to mention those dang immovable trees that so-often stand right beside the trail. So, a firm cross-section of snowmobilers has begun utilizing helmets with heated shields. In fact, there are some companies that have also started to market heated goggles to snowmobilers so the desire to plug in to prevent fogging is extending beyond those with full-face or modular style helmets.
However, most sleds don’t come with a visor plug-in as standard equipment. Thankfully, for very little money and with a little bit of your time, a plug-in can be installed and ready for your next ride. Because many modern sleds come pre-wired for such applications, often the hardest parts are finding to the wire butt and then drilling the hole for the plug.
One recent winter, we installed heated visor plug-ins on six sleds in our demo fleet, and the process was often very similar. For this story, we’ll focus on the process for our 2017 Ski-Doo Renegade Adrenaline 850 using part No. 860201234 (MSRP: $34.99) because this story can also serve as a how-to story for removing the hood on the REV Gen4 chassis. Total installation and reassembly time is less than an hour.
Step 1
First the hood must be removed. Remove the side panels from each side of the sled and set them aside. Then remove the clutch guard by pulling out the rear-facing pin and then lifting the clutch guard up and out.
Step 2
Using a size 25 torx socket or tool, remove the two torx bolts – one on each side – located near the top shock mount. These are the only two bolts that come with washers.
Step 3
Next, uninstall the windshield by removing the two black torx head screws – one on each side – near where the main windshield and the side flares meet, then pull the windshield forward and off.
Step 4
Now the storage box and gauge must be removed. Pull the storage box cover up and off, then remove the two torx head bolts on each side of the gauge. With those screws out, tilt the gauge toward the handlebar, then pull the storage box up and out.
Step 5
Beneath where the storage box used to be, unclip the wiring harnesses that lead to the gauge pod and remove the pod. Also, unclip the other wiring harness leading to the headlights and remove the two headlight bulbs from their mounting position. (img_3515) Then remove the two silver torx bolts that were under the gauge.
Step 6
Move to the left side of the sled and, above the driven clutch and to the left, find and back-out the screw that connects the air box to its intake plumbing using a long screwdriver. The screw doesn’t need to be removed, just loosened.
Step 7
Remove the hood by unclipping the winged ends on each side of the gas filler, then move to the front of the machine and pull the hood up and away.
Step 8
Determine a location to mount the visor plug-in. On this model, a natural spot was on the driver-facing dash, opposite the DESS plug in and facing up, as it provides ease of reach for the user plus clearance beneath for drilling the hole and installing the wiring harness and plug. Drill a hole using a 13mm or ½-inch bit.
Step 9
From underneath, feed the heated visor plug through the hole you just drilled, then screw the protector cap onto the plug’s threads to keep it in place. The kit includes a heated visor plug-in decal that can be placed by your newly-installed plug-in.
Step 10
Next, connect the wires from the plug-in to to the accessory outlet. As previously noted, our model came pre-wired for accessories like a heated visor plug in. We were able to find the accessory butt-end connector in front of the steering post, plugged into a plastic holder, but this will vary per make and model. Use zip ties to secure extra wire sections and give the project a finished look.
Step 11
Reverse the earlier steps to reassemble the snowmobile. Make sure to align the air intake and retighten the screw above the driven clutch.
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