ThunderHeart or Wire-Plus

Energy One
ChopperJeff

ChopperJeff

Active Member
OK, so now my '05 Chopper is getting a bit too quirky even for my taste.

Once again it totally shutdown, as if someone ripped the battery out of the bike, while going down the road at about 50 MPH. It used to only do this type of crap on rare occasions after starting it up and driving out of the parking lot.

So, I've been looking at the Wire-Plus and ThunderHeart modules. The Thunderheart is appealing as I've found it on sale for only $253. Add in the Push-Button Converter for about $40, and it almost half the cost of the Wire-Plus.

However, I've heard great things about the Wire-Plus, and being it's made for our bikes it appealing.

Anyone care to share their thought on these things? Has switching to either one solved your issues?

Thanks!
 
RRRUFF

RRRUFF

Well-Known Member
ChopperJeff,
I have an 05 chopper also and I have said that if/when I have EHC problems I would go with the Wire Plus. However I am definitely interested in the Thunderheart half price option. More info needed.

FYI, I was having the same problem you are and it turned out to be my ignition switch.
 
Stonyrock

Stonyrock

New Member
Had my EHC leave me pushing the bike twice, fortunately not moving when it quit. Went with Wire Plus, rode over 1000 miles with no issues. Well worth it for peace of mind.
 
Nomad2day

Nomad2day

Longhair Redneck Geek
I run the Thunderheart unit on my 07 Bulldog EFI with no issues. Then again I dumped the S&S VFI propriety ECU and have a Thundermax wide band ECU in my bike as well running with no issues at all....:2thumbs:
I gave the EHC to a friend for a spare..
Neil
 
vej

vej

Active Member
S&S

My mechanic at BD Tampa said the best running dog he's seen was running a S&S ignition system, completely adjustable, etc, etc.... anyone here try that one? Know anything about it?
 
V

V

Guru
vej said:
My mechanic at BD Tampa said the best running dog he's seen was running a S&S ignition system, completely adjustable, etc, etc.... anyone here try that one? Know anything about it?
Click to expand...
Lee maybe ? V

But I don't believe that eliminates the control system ie. EHC.
 
Last edited:
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
vej said:
My mechanic at BD Tampa said the best running dog he's seen was running a S&S ignition system, completely adjustable, etc, etc.... anyone here try that one? Know anything about it?
Click to expand...
HDLarry has it on his bike.

:cheers:
 
lee

lee

Well-Known Member
I got it - the IST (Intelligent Spark Technology). If self adjusts and learns and keeps the ignition 2 degrees retarded from pinging automatically and so adjusts for different octane fuels, temperature etc. Its real good but a hell of a lot of wires to hide with some big ass connectors. I've cut most of my connectors out and soldered the wires together, which helped. It's also expensive. Larry has his unit (its pretty big) in his chin spoiler but I raised my battery box and just managed to get it in under there. I did a how to on it. Like Virgil said this is completely separate to the EHC. When I originally put it in I had the EHC but I've since got rid of that.
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
vej said:
My mechanic at BD Tampa said the best running dog he's seen was running a S&S ignition system, completely adjustable, etc, etc.... anyone here try that one? Know anything about it?
Click to expand...
That is just an ignition module, not an EHC elimination module. 2 different units.
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
Here is my 2 cents...


I don't sell Wire-Plus modules to make money on them, because I do not make enough to tie all the money up that I do in them. So with that said, If there was something better on the market, I would for sure look into it and buy one.

BUT, I did work with Wire-Plus throughout the design and testing period before they, and I, started selling them. I have put between 4000-5000 miles on my WP module without a hickup. My junk Ignition switch from Ebay did fell apart about 175 miles short of home, but now I have a Wire-Plus Ignition switch in my bike and ALL is good.

Big Dog, pre 2003, installed Thunderheart chassis control modules (basically an early EHC) in the Dogs from the factory and had issues with them back then. Not as many issues as they do with the current EHC, but the Thunderheart was still lacking in performance in the quality dept.

I love my Thunderheart Ignition module, and have not had an issue with it.

The entire point of taking the EHC out is to eliminate the frail processor driven electronics and I feel that Wire-Plus has done a very good job.

Me being stranded or having issues with an EHC wasn't worth saving $250. My last tow bill would have costed me $600, if it wasn't that I had towing on my insurance to cover it!!! I look at it like, a new EHC from Big Dog is over $500 and If I can do a 100% reliabilty improvement at that same cost, great! Why try to fix a $500 part with something that cost half as much and take a chance?

My 2 cents
 
nymikeok

nymikeok

on the back wheel
how about running the s&s with the wireplus? Or is there other ignitions that retard for detonation out there?
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
Depends on what year of bike you are talking. On a 2004, you have a ton of ignition options, on a 2005, with the crank sensor, there are not as many.
 
Nomad2day

Nomad2day

Longhair Redneck Geek
Jake,
I think you have done a good job with the wire plus unit and offered it at a good price for what they cost. On my EFI bike the Thunder-heart unit has run without a hiccup as well. I did have Night Train install it so I do not know how much effort it would take but I have a few thousand miles as well on it with no issues and he has done a few carbureted bikes prior to my EFI bike...I would not hesitate to give it a two thumbs up..
Keep up the good work..
Neil
 
ChopperJeff

ChopperJeff

Active Member
Thanks all for the input!

bdmridgeback... is it the EHC that causes the bike to completely shutdown, only to magiccally come back to life after about 10 minutes? This is the main issue I want to fix. It's occured enough times now to not only be a nuisance, but a safety factor! Really don't like the idea of going down the road, an then all of a sudden having everything shut off, as if someone ripped the battery out of the bike. I know a flakey ignition switch could cause the bike to turn off, but then it makes no sense to me that the same ignition switch could cause the bike to go into some sort of thermal shutdown, as that's apparently what is happening as simply waiting for 10 minutes then brings it all back to life.
 
Slider

Slider

Active Member
That was my problem exactly and I have an 04. Numerous complete power failures was the last straw before I switched to wire plus. The shit works.
 
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