Seat heater install report
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=69286
Printed Date: June 09, 2024 at 9:51 AM
Topic: Seat heater install report
Posted By: timv22
Subject: Seat heater install report
Date Posted: December 27, 2005 at 9:18 AM
I didn't know these even existed until recently, but took a chance and ordered one last week. My wife's Escape has leather seats which are like ice blocks in the winter. The kit consists of thin pads for the seat and seat back, wiring harness, and low/high switch for one seat. It is supposed to be the same as OEM. This installation requires removing the seat, removing the covers from the foam, installing the heating pads (has tape to hold in place), reinstalling seat covers and seat, and wiring. The job went well and works great. I was nervous about removing the leather covers, but the Escape seat was easy (no hog rings). Installing the switch requires something to cut a clean hole about 3/4" in the dash. The cost was $89 shipped and took about 2 hours (I went slow).
Replies:
Posted By: Powermyster
Date Posted: December 27, 2005 at 9:54 AM
thanks for the input. always wondered about them and how hard they where to do. seems pain in the ass to remove the covers thats what always worried me. where did you buy them and how well do they heat the seat..
did you hook it up to the alarm
-------------
Why oh Why didn't i take the blue pill
Darren Power
Posted By: timv22
Date Posted: December 27, 2005 at 5:47 PM
I bought the kit on eBay from a company named Cobra Heat 89.95 + free shipping 2 wires to connect: 12V+ (I connected to the accessory wire on the remote starter), and a 12V ground. It's supposed to draw 4 amps, but has a 10 amp in-line fuse. My wife tells me that it heats as well as the OEM one did in her last vehicle (2002 Mountaineer). So far so good. Happy wife = happy life.
Posted By: Powermyster
Date Posted: December 27, 2005 at 8:05 PM
So far so good. Happy wife = happy life.
thats the main thing lol
-------------
Why oh Why didn't i take the blue pill
Darren Power
Posted By: KarTuneMan
Date Posted: December 27, 2005 at 11:19 PM
Powermyster wrote:
So far so good. Happy wife = happy life.
thats the main thing lol
I'm laughing WAY OUT LOUD....thats why Im divorced -------------
Posted By: tampa77
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 6:04 AM
Apologies in advance if this is a stupid question, but asking them is how you learn... Can you install these in cloth seats? I notice that no manufacturer has this option unless leather is installed. at 90 bucks and a few hours it would be nice. These are low level heat and shouldn't start a fire right? Buying a new car now w/ leather and heated seats is a bit pricy and it would be nice to add on and make some money doing so.
Posted By: Powermyster
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 9:04 AM
i'm sure i seen a car with cloth seats that where heated before can't remember the modle off hand. just remember thinking it was odd.
generally they are but in the leather seats because the leather can be very cold in thw winter unlike cloth
-------------
Why oh Why didn't i take the blue pill
Darren Power
Posted By: natsys
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 5:29 PM
My brother-in-law's factory heated seats in his Subaru were cloth. They worked great.
I'm ordering a pair for my cloth interior Accord. I called the 800 number in all the Ebay ads--they all end up going to the same company--and they confirmed what all the online sites claim, that you can add them to cloth with no problem. If you have any questions about your particular application they don't mind you asking before you buy--which you might want to do soon as they claim the prices are going up soon.
Posted By: Powermyster
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 5:35 PM
yeah they are good for that price i ran a search for cobra heat and couldn't find them maybe its just me.
-------------
Why oh Why didn't i take the blue pill
Darren Power
Posted By: kohara73
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 6:23 PM
Do these units heat your back as well?? My Ford Focus has heated seats and ever since I've had it I've wanted them in my other vehicle. The seat heaters in the Focus also heat your back. If I were to go through that trouble, I'd want the bottom and back heated.
-------------
Keith
Posted By: natsys
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 6:57 PM
Yes, there is a seat and back cushion heater in each kit.
Go to Ebay and type in "seat heaters" in the search box. Many distributors sell the Heizgerat Setzt II model, which is the one I just purchased. Or you can scan down to the bottom of that listing to the Ebay stores listings and you'll find CobraHeat LLC. Personally, I'd stay away from the cheaper models they offer. The one that I believe timv22 bought is the carbon fiber model, and although I haven't installed or used any yet, from what I've gathered they beat the wire element units.
Posted By: timv22
Date Posted: December 28, 2005 at 10:01 PM
I just got back from about 50 miles in the Escape. I can now say that they are every bit as good as factory seat heaters I've experienced before. They claim to work fine in cloth seats. They come with 2 pads which are approx. 11" wide and 14" long. They can be trimmed shorter than 14", but the width must remain 11". They may not work in smaller seats. 11" was just right for my seat; the back fit full length, but the bottom had to have about 2" trimmed off to miss a seam in the cover. It is a thin fabric with the carbon fiber element inside and cuts easily with common sizzors.
|