Heated Seats - fitting an aftermarket kit - completed, and with feedback

[Robho]

Hi all

I've been searching and can't find anything conclusive on fitting heated seats. I have just bought a Waeco kit and am mid way through fitting. Hopefully, this may also prove helpful to others.

I have a 2006 Partner Combi.

I've now refitted the seats with the heater panels installed and fitted the switches in the centre console just in front of the gear lever. 

Next is to locate a switched live feed (I haven't tested yet, but I thought to use the cigarette lighter or accessory socket which are adjacent).

In terms of a permanent live - I thought a straightforward option would be to go to the battery and run a suitable cable with an inline fuse. I ran out of time last night - but I couldn't see any access through the bulkhead. Can anyone make a suggestion?

Or, alternatively if there is an internal permanent live with suitable capacity? (Seats take 90w each side on full power).

In an older thread there is reference to the possibility of the existing cabling being suitable - but it doesnt seem resolved?

Many thanks
Rob

[mission]

There is a bunch of wires going into the firewall, should be easy to get a extra cable through but I also drilled new holes in mine.

[Sol]

What's the load of both seat heaters in watts?

[Robho]

There is a bunch of wires going into the firewall, should be easy to get a extra cable through but I also drilled new holes in mine.

Thanks. Is there somewhere specific you've used (I'd prefer not to drill, if possible) - at first glance it didn't seem too obvious?

[Robho]

What's the load of both seat heaters in watts?

Hi, on full power they each take 90 watts

[mission]

There is a bunch of wires going into the firewall, should be easy to get a extra cable through but I also drilled new holes in mine.

Thanks. Is there somewhere specific you've used (I'd prefer not to drill, if possible) - at first glance it didn't seem too obvious?

Not sure if its the same on a RHD, but for my LHD I went into the firewall behind the battery as I needed to be underneath the steeringwheel anyways.
Just make sure to find a spot where there is nothing in the way and your not wrecking something on the other side and its safe to drill. I used some rubber grommets to cover the hole, but some epoxy or whatever glue you have should be fine for covering the hole

[Sol]

What's the load of both seat heaters in watts?

Hi, on full power they each take 90 watts

Ok, so you need a minimum supply of 15A to power them, and 2.5mm CSA wiring to be safe. That means a 20A source and fused to 15A (for a factor of safety in case of faults) which means the cig lighter won't cut it. (Only 10A)

You'll need to run a supply from the battery, fused as close to the battery as possible and suitably routed.

[Robho]

What's the load of both seat heaters in watts?

Hi, on full power they each take 90 watts

Ok, so you need a minimum supply of 15A to power them, and 2.5mm CSA wiring to be safe. That means a 20A source and fused to 15A (for a factor of safety in case of faults) which means the cig lighter won't cut it. (Only 10A)

You'll need to run a supply from the battery, fused as close to the battery as possible and suitably routed.

[Robho]

Cheers.

May I ask a further question since (unlike the Haynes manual, which describes two fuses) it seems that both the accessory socket and cigarette lighter are on the same fuse - its 20A. I dont have the fuse position with me but I checked mith my multimeter and with the 20A fuse removed both sockets are dead, and with it replaced both have 12V. There are two wires to the accessory socket pink live; and green/yellow earth. And three to the cigarette lighter.

Also, having found the tech spec of the seat pads its says each seat (not each pad, just for clarity) takes 3.4A, i.e. a total of 6.8A with both operating. (from what I recall from college, a long time ago to be fair: power = voltage x current... ie 90W = 12V x 7.5A.. ?)

In the wiring supplied there is a switched live to a relay with permanent live - each of which has a 10A inline fuse.

Whilst looking for a convenient solution - would it be feasible to take the power feed from the accessory socket, since it has a 20 A fuse, plus the protection of the inline 10A fuse.? (In terms of aadditional load, I cant think of any "accessory" I'd use beyond a TomTom)

Thanks for the help..

[oilyrag]

If a 'permanent' live feed is supplied what stops you forgetting to switch the seats off when parked up and subsequently flattening the battery. Might a relay driven by the ignition circuit and controlling a heavy duty battery feed be an option?
I have fitted heated seat elements to my 1932 Morris Minor open tourer - a**e like a toasted tea cake - brilliant!