Recommeded Routing for Seat Heater Wiring?

[Papa]

I've installed the CobraHeat heaters in my leather roadster seats and will be using the Breeze inclined seat mounts. I plan to use the heater wire as the +12v source. I'd like to install the switches in the dash, so I'll need to extend the wiring between the seat plugs and the switches. I'm thinking of running the wires along the corner of the floor and trans tunnel or along the edge of the floor and wall on the outside of each compartment. I see some going through the trans tunnel wall, but prefer to not have additional openings unless that is the best routing.

Thanks,
Dave

[JRL16]

I ran the DS down the 2x2 tube to the floor then along the corner where the floor meets the outer wall to the seats. On the PS down the tunnel at the firewall then along the corner where tunnel meets the floor to the seats. Being careful by the ebrake area. The carpet edges are very forgiving covering the wires as is the thermal insulation. Good luck

[phileas_fogg]

I ran mine down the bend in the U-shaped aluminum at the front of the transmission tunnel and then along the inside corner of the cockpit.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4511/37941146956_2062f07a0f_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZNJi99)IMG_4178 (https://flic.kr/p/ZNJi99) by jhsitton (https://www.flickr.com/photos/91016165@N07/), on Flickr

You can see the left side wires exiting the inside corner of the carpet, and you can see the right side wires dropping down behind the carpet to the right of the right-most hex head bolt securing my center under dash panel.

To better hide the wires, you may want to consider bending a cover plate of aluminum that goes over them and matches the bend in the U-panel. After all, if the wires are behind a cover with carpet that's glued in place, they'll be just as inaccessible as they with only carpet glued on top.

My seat heater wires will pop up out of the floor carpet very close to the inner most seat belt mounting tab and just lay on the floor as they run to the back and center of the seat. That way they're free to move with the seat sliders and not get hung on anything.


John

[Gumball]

I used some "dummy" tubes to mimic the chassis tubes in the original cars that were visible between the dash and the transmission tunnel - the one on the left houses my speedo cable and the one on the right has my seat heater wiring.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20140725_163904648_zpsbdf77c00.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20140725_163904648_zpsbdf77c00.jpg.html)

[Dave Howard]

I have a battery cut off switch on the back wall between the seats. The heated seats get power direct from there. Cables are run in flexible cover inside the transmission tunnel. The wires come up through the tunnel behind the console. Switches mounted in the console. From the switch, cable back inside the transmission tunnel then into the cockpit behind the seat by the small angled piece that transitions the trans tunnel to the inside cockpit.

[Papa]

Thanks everyone. Looks like pretty much anything that works is okay. Not a specific "preferred" approach.

Dave

[RoadRacer]

Can I ask a follow-up question? I haven't got my seats yet, but I'll be ordering the leather seat option when I order stage 2 hot rod. It's listed as "16213 - Upgrade: Leather Roadster Seats +$549.00" - which when I checked under the Mark 4, has the exact same option.

So, assuming we're talking about the same seats, is it easy to install these seat heaters? Do the leather covers come off by design, or do you have to unstitch anything? Presumably these go directly below the leather and above the foam. I haven't seen anyone show details..

[Papa]

Can I ask a follow-up question? I haven't got my seats yet, but I'll be ordering the leather seat option when I order stage 2 hot rod. It's listed as "16213 - Upgrade: Leather Roadster Seats +$549.00" - which when I checked under the Mark 4, has the exact same option.

So, assuming we're talking about the same seats, is it easy to install these seat heaters? Do the leather covers come off by design, or do you have to unstitch anything? Presumably these go directly below the leather and above the foam. I haven't seen anyone show details..

The heating pads are very simple to install. You don't need to unstitch anything, cut any hog rings, or anything major. The bottom cushion does require you to separate the leather that was glued to the bottom of the foam. Once that is done, the cover will come off the pad with very little effort. Set your bottom pad in place and use a little spray adhesive to keep it from moving. Replace the cover and use a little more spray adhesive to reattach the leather to the bottom of the cushion. For the back, you only need to slide a plastic clip off of a rod, then slide the pad into the opening between the cover and the foam pad and reattach the clip. I think I spent fifteen minutes per seat. I have pictures in my build thread starting at post number 297.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24916-Papa-s-MKIV-Roadster-Build-9115-(We-have-first-start!)&p=302175&viewfull=1#post302175

[RoadRacer]

The heating pads are very simple to install.


Thanks Papa, much appreciated

[edwardb]

The heating pads are very simple to install. You don't need to unstitch anything, cut any hog rings, or anything major. The bottom cushion does require you to separate the leather that was glued to the bottom of the foam. Once that is done, the cover will come off the pad with very little effort. Set your bottom pad in place and use a little spray adhesive to keep it from moving. Replace the cover and use a little more spray adhesive to reattach the leather to the bottom of the cushion. For the back, you only need to slide a plastic clip off of a rod, then slide the pad into the opening between the cover and the foam pad and reattach the clip. I think I spent fifteen minutes per seat. I have pictures in my build thread starting at post number 297.

Yes, it's really about that easy with the newer seats that don't use hog rings any more. I personally haven't found it necessary to use spray adhesive on the pads. They have double back tape along the edges. Once you get them into place and are trapped between the covering and foam, they're not going anywhere. But it wouldn't hurt I guess. You'll probably find like I did that the factory applied adhesive on the bottom cushion isn't doing too much and either falling off or comes off real easy. I've done three sets, and they all were really loose. I would suggest marking around the edges of the vinyl/leather (both are the same) with a felt marker before taking it off. That way you know exactly where to locate when gluing back down. I use Dap Weldwood Gel Formula Contact Cement from Home Depot, Lowes, etc.. Works great and easier to control than spray adhesive. Probably more permanent too. This picture is a little dark, but gives the idea plus how I route the bottom cushion wire.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Electrical/IMG_3869_zpswhh8es8e.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Electrical/IMG_3869_zpswhh8es8e.jpg.html)

[Scubasommer]

The heating pads are very simple to install. You don't need to unstitch anything, cut any hog rings, or anything major. The bottom cushion does require you to separate the leather that was glued to the bottom of the foam. Once that is done, the cover will come off the pad with very little effort. Set your bottom pad in place and use a little spray adhesive to keep it from moving. Replace the cover and use a little more spray adhesive to reattach the leather to the bottom of the cushion. For the back, you only need to slide a plastic clip off of a rod, then slide the pad into the opening between the cover and the foam pad and reattach the clip. I think I spent fifteen minutes per seat. I have pictures in my build thread starting at post number 297.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24916-Papa-s-MKIV-Roadster-Build-9115-(We-have-first-start!)&p=302175&viewfull=1#post302175

Papa
Did you buy the regular pads or the weatherproof ones?

Thanks
Jimmy

[Papa]

Papa
Did you buy the regular pads or the weatherproof ones?

Thanks
Jimmy

Jimmy,

I ordered the waterproof pads - you never know in an open cockpit car. It looks like your timing is good as they are on sale right now.

http://www.cobraheat.com/WarmSeats-Waterproof-Seat-Heater-_p_9.html

Dave

[Scubasommer]

Jimmy,

I ordered the waterproof pads - you never know in an open cockpit car. It looks like your timing is good as they are on sale right now.

http://www.cobraheat.com/WarmSeats-Waterproof-Seat-Heater-_p_9.html

Dave

Thanks Dave

Good call, I jumped on the sale and they are on their way to me.

Thanks your the best
Jimmy