DIY: How to Repair and Maintain Heated Gloves

What purpose do your heated gloves serve for you? Do they provide the desired comfort and warmth or soothe your arthritis pain? What if it stops warming your hands or the battery stops charging them? That's frustrating!  For such cases, you need to learn the DIY maintenance and repair solutions, and this guide exactly targets such pain points. Let's slide in! 

Why Proper Maintenance of Heated Gloves Matters?

Here are the benefits if you keep your heated gloves in tip-top condition: 

• Increase the lifespan of heated gloves.
• Ensure their safety and functionality.
• Prevent battery issues, wiring faults, or reduced heating performance.
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Essential Tools and Supplies for Maintenance and Repair

For most DIY repairs, you'll need the following tools and materials:

• Small screwdrivers for accessing the internal components.
• A multimeter to test the battery and check the electrical connections.
• Soldering kit for repairing or replacing damaged wires.
• Needle and thread for stitching fabric tears.
• Replacement battery if the original battery is completely dysfunctional.
• Heat-resistant rape/ shrink tubing for repairing or insulating damaged wires.
• Fabric patch or glue to reinforce and seal fabric damage.

Common Issues in Heated Gloves and DIY Repair Solutions

Heated gloves are an essential tool for anyone who enjoys outdoor winter activities, but like every other electronic gadget, they wear and tear over time. So, here you need to know the possible issues and step-by-step DIY repair solutions. First, learn about how heated gloves work.

Heated Gloves Not Heating

Problem: Why are my gloves not keeping me warm? It is an issue with your battery. It might be malfunctioning, or the connection is loose or disconnected wires between the heating elements and the power source. Another possible reason is also the broken or frayed wires that prevent electricity from reaching the heating elements.

DIY Repair Solutions

• Check and test the battery with a multimeter to ensure it's still holding a charge. If the battery is dead, replace it with a new one of the same model.
• To inspect the internal connection, open the glove lining carefully and check all the wiring connections. Tighten or re-solder any loose connections.
• Now inspect the internal wiring to see if it is broken or damaged; you need to replace the heating wires or re-solder the connections.

Battery Not Charging

Problem: If your battery isn’t charging, it may be due to battery aging, check for the charger, maybe it is faulty or the charging port is not clean enough to pass the current.  

DIY Repair Solutions

• Check the battery first if it holds any charge. If the battery is over a couple of years old or shows a significant drop in performance, replace it.
• Test the charger with another device to check its functionality. If the charger is faulty, consider replacing it yourself if you have one.
• Clean the contacts on both sides of the battery with a soft cloth or cotton swab and again connect it.

Gloves Heating Unevenly

Problem: This is the most disturbing problem where one part of the hand is warm while another is not due to uneven heating. It may be due to the heating elements being damaged or specific points in the heating wire may be broken.

DIY Repair Solutions

• Check for any visible breaks, damage, or loose connections in the heating wires. If you find any faulty sections, you may need to replace the heating wire or re-solder the connections.
• If the heating wires are not distributed evenly, carefully rearrange or reattach them so that the heat is distributed more evenly across the glove.

Glove Fabric Damage

Problem: After the aging of gloves, the fabric can become torn or worn over time due to friction from use, rough surfaces, or harsh weather conditions may cause wear and tear. Fabric damage makes the internal wiring visible and it leads to safety issues or decreased performance. You must be aware of the risks of heated gloves.

DIY Repair Solutions

• Sew the fabric with a sewing machine if the damage is minor.
• In case of large holes, use a fabric patch to reinforce the area. Apply fabric glue around the edges of the hole, then press the patch onto the glove.
• If any wiring is exposed due to fabric damage, cover it with heat-resistant tape or shrink tubing to protect it from short circuits.

Short Battery Life

Problem: If the battery drains too quickly, your heated gloves lose their function. There are several reasons for this short battery life like if you leave the battery plugged in for too long it can damage it and reduce its life. Moreover, batteries may not perform well in extremely cold conditions.

DIY Repair Solutions

• If the battery is no longer holding a charge or draining too quickly, it may be time for a replacement. Ensure you get a compatible battery.
• Always disconnect the battery once it reaches full charge to prevent overcharging, which can degrade the battery over time.
• Don't leave your heated gloves in extreme cold conditions, as this can affect battery performance. Store your gloves and battery in a warm, dry place when not in use.

Key Maintenance Tips for Long-lasting Heated Gloves

Here are a few essential tips to enhance the heated gloves' life and maintain them:

• When you want to store the heated gloves, always remove the batteries when storing gloves.
• Keep gloves in a cool, dry area to avoid moisture damage and preserve their functionality.
• Always clean them gently with a damp cloth and avoid machine washing to protect the heating elements. See how.
• Clean the charging port regularly to ensure proper connection and avoid charging issues.
• Do not expose gloves to excessive heat or cold for prolonged periods.
• Regularly check for wear, tear, or broken wires, especially after heavy use.
• Always use the recommended charger to prevent battery damage.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining and repairing heated gloves is not a challenging task but if in any case, your heated gloves start troubling you, check for the possible issues yourself. The mentioned possible problem and their solutions will definitely help you! If your DIY know-how does not help you, then ask for professional help or buy yourself new heated gloves from ArcFomor!