DIY seat heaters

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Electric4Me

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2010
Messages
533
Location
Union City, CA
I finally took the plunge and installed 4 seat heaters in my Leaf this weekend. Total cost: $138

In the absence of a complete step by step write up for you (I'll try to get to this in the next week or two...), I offer a photo "journey" through the process. Including a visual warning to watch out for the sharp metal edges of the sheet metal in the seat! I got careless...

One thing I can say is that if you are quoted a large price from a custom upholstery shop (or similar) for this job, it's for good reason! It's not hard, but it took me most of the weekend.

I bought the heaters on ebay) for $138.74 shipped. (The seller's listing has ended, but they have the same product for a similar price still.)

All of the photos are here, but the ones that count are these two for the switches:


My backside is nice and toasty now!

Cheers, Bill
 
jimtubbs said:
Where did you get the 12volt source for the seat heaters? Thank You Jim Tubbs
From an available slot in the fuse block, right below the 20A power outlet fuse (yellow, top left):


I found it interesting that the fuse block has identified slots for front and rear seat heater fuses, but no fuses there. I considered trying to add them there, but found it easier to just use the in-line fuses supplied with the heaters. I located those right behind the easily removed center console panels where I put the switches.
 
Someone has got to look up the OEM part # for the heater switches - they can't be that expensive and with them it will look OEM!
 
drees said:
Someone has got to look up the OEM part # for the heater switches - they can't be that expensive and with them it will look OEM!
I had been waiting for the cold weather package to come out so that I could order those switches, but when I found out how the rear switches were integrated (see here) I decided I didn't it wasn't worth that level of effort. I can always change to the OEM front switches at any point (if they're High/Low/Off switches).

Bill
 
charlestonleafer said:
Yes, looks awesome, but we need more pics!
Surly, you jest.
He has posted 123 photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/101202810889400918972/LeafSeatHeaters?authuser=0&feat=directlink&gsessionid=c3Zz6B_7FEkTAFsiJh5Mog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bill
 
ebill3 said:
charlestonleafer said:
Yes, looks awesome, but we need more pics!
Surly, you jest.
He has posted 123 photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/101202810889400918972/LeafSeatHeaters?authuser=0&feat=directlink&gsessionid=c3Zz6B_7FEkTAFsiJh5Mog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bill
Ha! Thanks for replying to this! I missed it up above when typing my own reply.
Sorry that there are a lot of blurry pics! It's hard to hold stuff and take pics with one hand some times...
 
That looks and sounds great for LEAF owners, but since I'm leasing, I bought two massage and heat cushions (Homedics) that use less than 20W, can be 12V or AC, and cost me only about $40/pair (Kohl's sale).
 
Electric4Me said:
I finally took the plunge and installed 4 seat heaters in my Leaf this weekend. Total cost: $138
Good job, Bill!

Electric4Me said:
In the absence of a complete step by step write up for you (I'll try to get to this in the next week or two...), I offer a photo "journey" through the process. [...]
All of the photos are here, [...]
You've done plenty, posting the pics. I would suggest the next person to add heated seats following those pics, to make appropriate notes in the "comment" area of each pic, such as "Remove this doohickey with a thingummyblob" and "Watch out for the sharp edges".

Your assignment should now simply be: "Don't remove the Picasa pics!"

Electric4Me said:
Sorry that there are a lot of blurry pics! It's hard to hold stuff and take pics with one hand some times...
TMI!

biggrinbounce2.gif
 
aqn said:
Electric4Me said:
I finally took the plunge and installed 4 seat heaters in my Leaf this weekend. Total cost: $138
Good job, Bill!

Electric4Me said:
In the absence of a complete step by step write up for you (I'll try to get to this in the next week or two...), I offer a photo "journey" through the process. [...]
All of the photos are here, [...]
You've done plenty, posting the pics. I would suggest the next person to add heated seats following those pics, to make appropriate notes in the "comment" area of each pic, such as "Remove this doohickey with a thingummyblob" and "Watch out for the sharp edges".

Your assignment should now simply be: "Don't remove the Picasa pics!"
Next week we're making a family road trip to Portland (10 hours) so I'll have some time to type while my wife is driving. I'll try to write down what I remember.
 
Electric4Me said:
drees said:
Someone has got to look up the OEM part # for the heater switches - they can't be that expensive and with them it will look OEM!
I had been waiting for the cold weather package to come out so that I could order those switches, but when I found out how the rear switches were integrated (see here) I decided I didn't it wasn't worth that level of effort. I can always change to the OEM front switches at any point (if they're High/Low/Off switches).
Yep, I found them online for about $20/each, but couldn't find a site that had them and a part number. Your local dealer should be able to find them using a 2012 LEAF parts catalog (search for "heat switch") - hopefully they don't charge too much more for them.
 
drees said:
Electric4Me said:
drees said:
Someone has got to look up the OEM part # for the heater switches - they can't be that expensive and with them it will look OEM!
I had been waiting for the cold weather package to come out so that I could order those switches, but when I found out how the rear switches were integrated (see here) I decided I didn't it wasn't worth that level of effort. I can always change to the OEM front switches at any point (if they're High/Low/Off switches).
Yep, I found them online for about $20/each, but couldn't find a site that had them and a part number. Your local dealer should be able to find them using a 2012 LEAF parts catalog (search for "heat switch") - hopefully they don't charge too much more for them.
FYI: I found them from an Altima. They are the same part. I got them used with the wiring harness for $20.

-Phil
 
Ingineer said:
drees said:
Yep, I found them online for about $20/each, but couldn't find a site that had them and a part number. Your local dealer should be able to find them using a 2012 LEAF parts catalog (search for "heat switch") - hopefully they don't charge too much more for them.
FYI: I found them from an Altima. They are the same part. I got them used with the wiring harness for $20.

-Phil

That's great Phil! What year(s) of Altima?

Bill
 
Electric4Me said:
Ingineer said:
FYI: I found them from an Altima. They are the same part. I got them used with the wiring harness for $20.

-Phil

That's great Phil! What year(s) of Altima?

Bill
No clue. Just saw them and it looked identical, so I ordered them. They fit/look perfectly, and can be easily wired into any of the kits that use 2 pads for hi/low, no relays needed. The switches are different for driver/passenger. I can't see any part numbers molded into the plastic, but there is a number heat-stamped into each: 4316B for driver, and 4322B for passenger.

-Phil
 
Ingineer said:
Electric4Me said:
Ingineer said:
FYI: I found them from an Altima. They are the same part. I got them used with the wiring harness for $20.

-Phil

That's great Phil! What year(s) of Altima?

Bill
No clue. Just saw them and it looked identical, so I ordered them.

-Phil
I see. I'll let someone else do the research legwork then. I'm satisfied with my current switches for now. :D

Though the dash lighting would be nice. How were they wired in?

I'm guessing that you're installing (installed?) only the fronts?

Bill
 
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