okay id like to know if its possible to wire up a oem varible heat seat switch to some aftermarket seat pads
the switch puts out a constant 12v and has a varible output controled via the dial on the switch
the aftermarket kit comes set up with just a high/low setting
im not too great with electrics, but can someone give me some pointers what to look for to know if this is possible
So long as you fuse the 12 volt supply (i'd use 15 amps), you can connect the positive and negative wires from the VARIABLE output (from the dial) to the + and - wires of the aftermarket heated seat kit.
As you may or may not know, the heated seat kit is just a resistance based heating element. You need to match the fuse that comes with the heated seat kit with the amperage rating of the variable control switch (which is basically a variable resistory, or potentiometer). Check the amperage rating on the fuse of the aftermarket kit, and make very sure that the variable switch matches that amperage.
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thanks for the reply
so that set up wouldnt overload the switch ?
the oem set up has some kind of relay/controler under the seat
Well, that's why I suggest you determine if the variable switch you have in your possession has an amperage rating -- it'll be on the backside of the package, or you can look it up online at the manufacturers website.
If your particular variable switch doesn't have the capacity, you can certainly obtain one at Radioshack without any problems. If you decided to keep the high/low switch in place on your heated seat kit, you can add the variable switch in series with that hi/lo switch and just leave the hi/lo switch on HIGH at all times, therefore the "power gate" is always wide open so the limiting agent will be the variable resistor/switch.
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