Seat Heaters

[ThickCobra]

I installed the CobraHeat seat heaters a while back. As I recall, they heated up sitting in them on the garage floor to test after installation. They don't work in the car and I've checked the 30 amp fuse in the Ron Francis fuse box. Fuse is good but no heat. Before I begin dismantling each seat, thought I'd reach out to see if others had this happen and the route they took to remedy.

[edwardb]

I haven't had them stop working, so can't help too much along those lines. Did you leave the in-line fuse that came with them? Or remove them? If they're there, sure they have a fuse or not blown? Since you're in a fused RF circuit, they aren't required BTW. Do the indicator lights on the switches work? They work even if the heating elements aren't working or plugged in. But would indicate if you have power or not. Speaking of that, you do have them plugged in, right? (Sorry, had to ask) Sounds like you tested them while sitting in them. That's the only way you feel the heat. They don't get hot in free air.

[Gumball]

Are you running them through the relays?

I'm guessing you've already made sure you have power to all the points - i.e., the relays, switches, and seats.

Are both not working? That would make me thing something in the power supply area.

[Dave Howard]

I've got the same units in my MkIV. Like others have said, you'll need fuses in the inline fuse holders even if you are powering through the RF fuse panel. I didn't go through the RF fuse panel. I have a separate bus behind the dash for powering accessories and I'm relying on the inline fuses for protection. Also, make sure the plug in connections are complete and tight.

[ThickCobra]

I have the Ron Francis wiring and not installing a heater. So I'm using the heater wiring and the 20 amp panel fuse and not the fuses provided with the set. Both switch indicaters illuminate on high and low. I traced my power wiring and that appears in good shape.

The issue may be my expectations. The instructions indicate they are the same units used in cars and should operate the same. I sat in the car much longer than yesterday and did feel some heat. Battery is fully charged but the car is not running. I'm not certain that matters. Our other cars all have heated seats and tend to warm up quickly and get toasty. These seem to take a while to get warm and not all that hot. The instructions say the voltage on high should read 13.5 volts and half that on the low setting. I'm not sure where to test this.

[edwardb]

I have the Ron Francis wiring and not installing a heater. So I'm using the heater wiring and the 20 amp panel fuse and not the fuses provided with the set. Both switch indicaters illuminate on high and low. I traced my power wiring and that appears in good shape.

The issue may be my expectations. The instructions indicate they are the same units used in cars and should operate the same. I sat in the car much longer than yesterday and did feel some heat. Battery is fully charged but the car is not running. I'm not certain that matters. Our other cars all have heated seats and tend to warm up quickly and get toasty. These seem to take a while to get warm and not all that hot. The instructions say the voltage on high should read 13.5 volts and half that on the low setting. I'm not sure where to test this.

Sounds like they're working. We've had multiple DD's with seat heaters, and used these same heaters in three different Roadster builds. In our experience, they get just as hot as the OE ones. I would say it takes several minutes at least, but they get plenty hot. Our normal driving configuration: Mine on low, my wife's on high. :) I can't take the high setting for very long. Could be you'll get a little more heat or quicker warm-up with the slightly higher voltage when the engine is running vs. only off the battery. I'm assuming you have the heat pads in the right location between the seat covering and the foam cushion. The pad should be directly contacting the underside of the seat covering.

[ThickCobra]

Ok thanks guys. I'll try them next time I take another test run in the car.