11-20-2012, 04:16 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,587 Times in 1,554 Posts
|
Anyone have experience with aftermarket heated seat kits?
Winter is coming and I'm looking for ways to stay warm. On my daily commute even with the block heater and coolant thermos on the Prius I still don't get up to temperature some days on the way in to work. This makes me very stingy with my use of heat which also tends to make me a bit uncomfortable on those sub-zero days.
So, today I was thinking about this and was reminded of Ben Nelson's Prius which we picked up together. He has one of these kits on his driver's seat. But, I am just looking for more feedback. I don't think I've seen these seat kits discussed before. Its basically what the EVs are using for heat. Is it alone enough? Does it change the feel of the seat?
example:
Dorman 628-040 Universal Seat Heater Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive
|
|
|
Today
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 04:37 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,527
Thanks: 4,078
Thanked 6,976 Times in 3,612 Posts
|
Don't forget pre-heating the cabin while plugged in to AC (if it's an option). That's still nicer than waiting for a seat heater to warm up.
Last winter I used an AC remote plugged in to both my coolant heater + a hair dryer to warm the cabin: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...bin-20148.html
OK, we now return to your topic...
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 04:41 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
Administrator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 11,203
Thanks: 2,501
Thanked 2,587 Times in 1,554 Posts
|
That is a great recommendation. I do actually do that with my wife's car because her commute is even shorter and the engine never gets a chance to warm up.
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 05:03 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,523
Thanks: 2,203
Thanked 663 Times in 478 Posts
|
Fyi to consider:
an aftermarket will dry out the upholstry/leather/plastic faster.
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 05:50 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
EcoModding Lurcher
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 333
Thanks: 148
Thanked 109 Times in 80 Posts
|
Hi Daox,
I have this which is a little hassle to unwrap when you get warm. But it is warm enough for sleeping in the car.
-mort
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 06:23 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
Moderate your Moderation.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919
Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi 90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
|
"Stranded wire is insulated to increase durability and improve electrical safety"
In what country should this be expected to be a "product feature"?
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to Christ For This Useful Post:
|
|
11-20-2012, 07:32 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
Corporate imperialist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NewMexico (USA)
Posts: 11,265
Thanks: 273
Thanked 3,569 Times in 2,833 Posts
|
Another avenue you might explore is heated motor cycle gear.
Such as a heated jacket that you plug into a cigarette lighter.
__________________
1984 chevy suburban, custom made 6.5L diesel turbocharged with a Garrett T76 and Holset HE351VE, 22:1 compression 13psi of intercooled boost.
1989 firebird mostly stock. Aside from the 6-speed manual trans, corvette gen 5 front brakes, 1LE drive shaft, 4th Gen disc brake fbody rear end.
2011 leaf SL, white, portable 240v CHAdeMO, trailer hitch, new batt as of 2014.
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 07:38 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 3,903
Thanks: 867
Thanked 434 Times in 354 Posts
|
My parents electric VW Golf has heated seats from the factory, same with my bosses car and I kind of like them when it's cold out, I've been thinking about getting a slip over heated seat cover but I really like the idea of having it hidden under the stock covering.
I've started using a 1,200 watt space heater in my electric car, turning it on before I start scraping the windows and it warms it up a bit but that 5 minutes is not enough! There are a few nice timers that the time is kept by a battery so it doesn't matter if the timer is plugged in or not, at that point my plan is to have the heater on the same plug as the charger, by morning the batteries are fully charged and the timer is off so having the heater click on isn't going to trip the breaker and the timer stays in the car connected to the heater.
|
|
|
11-20-2012, 07:47 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
Moderate your Moderation.
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919
Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi 90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
|
Most of the junkyards I've been to sell seats for around $35 each or less... buy heated seats from something, pull the heating elements and controls, set up your own wiring and relays and you can still come in cheaper for both seats sometimes than you'd pay for a kit for a single seat.
Then you can have a comfortable passenger when necessary, too.
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"
|
|
|
11-22-2012, 01:28 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442
Thanks: 1,422
Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts
|
ROSTRA makes electric seat heat kits. Am considering it for mine (along with upgrade to passenger-side 8-way power seat) as seat covers/cushions are in need of replacement.
Why not a circulating coolant heater? (KIMM Hotstart).
.
|
|
|
|