Seat heater elements

slmskrs wrote: So, I did the driver's seat the way I showed. But I decided to follow @manoseven's layout on the observer seat bottom. The other way would have been too much of a hassle.

How about those directions that came with the elements?? Ha ha it looks like they used Chinese to English translator on Google and didn’t have anyone that spoke both languages proof read it! I was cracking up reading through those!

@manoseven

Thanks for the pix.

I was looking to do it differently, but maybe my elements are not the same size as yours.

I want the driver seat to be warm the width of the seat, so with the elements I have, I'm thinking of using two elements and just shortening the one towards the back of the seat that is a little long (see below). The pix view is of the front of the cushion and the front element is just about the right size for the width of that piece of foam. You can see that the back element is a little too long, but since you can trim the length, that's no problem. I'll also have to deal with routing the wires on the sides, but it will be on the right side so no-one will see it. Also, I won't have to deal with cutting a slot and pulling the flap down between the two foam pieces to staple them. :)




For the observer seat bottom, it looks like I need three elements (with the pull down cut out) to cover the seat. I want the raised front of the seat bottom heated (like the driver seat) so it looks like I'll have to cut a slit through each and pull the flap of the skin down. On the other hand, I am not an observer too much in my boat, so maybe I don't worry about it... :)

I was going to put one or two elements on the observer seat back, but either I didn't mark it up or didn't give good enough instructions, because the person that did the skins put foam on the back of the seat back skin (the driver and observer seat bottom skins don't have foam where the elements will go). So I guess I'm just not going to do the observer seatback since no-one will feel it.



Anyway, I'm working on it tonight (getting everything situated) and will probably install the observer seat back and driver seat back skins (and those three cushions--not looking forward to that part...). Then tomorrow I'll make the final decision on element orientation and do the seat bottoms.

@manoseven, wish you were in N Cal; would love to come watch/help you do it this weekend. But we'll see how it goes. It's supposed to rain most of the weekend so may not get out to the course anyway. But worst case it gives me more time to get the upholstery and heating elements done (don't have a tow vehicle this weekend either so glad it's raining...).

Question for anyone that knows: How are you supposed to use the "clips" that came with the elements? Just stick them through the edge of the element material and then into the seat foam? What's the chance of the elements 'slipping'? I bought two sets of elements. One was a set of four elements, and it came with the hooks, and the other (same manufacturer) was a set of two elements, but didn't come with the hooks....

man0seven wrote: I am in the process of doing this. I will post pictures as i do it. I believe it should be really easy. FWIW I believe that it is wet rated. Seat Heaters

Hey Man0Seven, how are you doing with this? Since you have a '98 (I have a '97), it should be just about identical. BTW, if you have done the driver seat back cushions (pillows on the driver seat back), please let me know how you do them (what order, etc.). Step by step pictures would be great if you have them. That's what I'm most concerned about, making them look good. The heater element will only be in the seat cushion (bottom) of the driver's seat, while the observer seat will get both seat back and bottom. That part will be fairly easy (assuming I can get the pull down done correctly with the seat element in place.

I'll plan on taking pictures myself.

Gordon

[/QUOTE]
The first picture I posted was the driver seat bottom. You’ll notice the heating pads have gaps between the elements. I drew a line and wrote the word pull where that vinyl will get pulled down..[/QUOTE]

Ah, I didn't notice the gap in the heating elements where you drew the 'pull' line. Makes sense now. Looking forward to more pictures, etc. :)

Sorry, not clear. I'm doing the driver seat bottom cushion but not the seat back. I'm doing both the seat back and seat bottom on the observer seat.

Brit_hunsicker wrote: Here is a few pictures of the heaters laying on the seats how they will set. This one is not lined up very well so it looks like it’s about 6” too long but it’s really only about 3” too long. It will wrap around the bottom about 3”.

Thanks for the pictures!! Looking forward to see how it goes. I just purchased the elements and my skins should arrive next week so I can try to install them the following weekend.

Question: It looks like your driver seat cushion is like mine, with a front and rear foam sections. The seat skin has a flap that is pulled down between the front and rear sections to hold down the material and make it look like two parts. The element obviously won't fit there with the flap, so the options are to either not have the flap pulling down the skin (may look funny), or using two separate elements for the front and back side. I'm looking to use two elements, but I won't decide until after I get the skins back.

Let us know how it goes. Appreciate the pictures!!! Since I"m doing the same thing in a week and a half, I really appreciate this!!!

Gordon

Here is a few pictures of the heaters laying on the seats how they will set.






This one is not lined up very well so it looks like it’s about 6” too long but it’s really only about 3” too long. It will wrap around the bottom about 3”.

man0seven wrote: @brit, How are you going to do the Captains back? With the three rolls? I wasn't planning on it on mine.

I talked with a friend with a Centurion with heated seats. He said his driver seat only has the seat bottom heated, while the observer seat has both. That's what I'm planning to do.

@brit, How are you going to do the Captains back? With the three rolls?
I wasn't planning on it on mine.

I am in the process of doing this. I will post pictures as i do it. I believe it should be really easy. FWIW I believe that it is wet rated.
Seat Heaters

I installed this kit from Amazon in the passenger seat last spring. I ran it lengthwise on the lower level of the foam. Didn't need to cut the length. Had to extend the wiring harness to put the switch in the dash. I thought this would never get used but gets much more use than the heater. Looking to do the driver seat also.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3EKJ5Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think it's a great idea,it will be interesting what he finds out. I won't even buy a car with out a heated wheel now though

Thanks folks. Good feedback. For the record, I do have a four vent Heatercraft heater with circulation pump so I get heat even when the engine is off. :)

Absolutely these will be on a relay (as is my heater, stereo, etc.). As has been pointed out, it is an option on Nautiques, MC, Centurion, etc. The trick is finding good ones that will not be a problem with some moisture. Low voltage and a max of under 4 amps per pad, so not a huge draw (although the observer seat will draw more.

I'll keep looking at various elements and let everyone know what I end up using. Or if anyone has a good link to ones for outdoor use, that would be great. I saw an old link to one for a snowmobile, but it's not available now...

I agree with Joe on using a relay given the voltage to dash issues we deal with even without accessories.

CC has been heating the driver and passenger seats since 2013/14 IIRC. Great add on and switches can be fully hidden under the dash.

I need to do the seat bases in my BFN so that will likely be on the list of things to do while those skins are being redone.

Unless you jump in it alot soaking wet, Jeep ones probably designed for a more moisture than not . Their is alot of ones out there . I would just sit on a heating pad, I think they have some plastic coating.. I think a boat heater sounds like what would work better 3 outlet style. Its not a car or escalade ,its a boat.