DIY seat heaters

[Electric4Me]

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

[ebill3]

Neat.

<60 Watts per seat is pretty cheap heat compared to the LEAF climate control.

Bill

[jimtubbs]

Where did you get the 12volt source for the seat heaters? Thank You Jim Tubbs

[charlestonleafer]

Yes, looks awesome, but we need more pics!

[Electric4Me]

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.

[DaveEV]

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!

[Electric4Me]

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

[ebill3]

Yes, looks awesome, but we need more pics!

Surly, you jest.
He has posted 123 photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/1012028108 ... AFsiJh5Mog" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bill

[Electric4Me]

Yes, looks awesome, but we need more pics!

Surly, you jest.
He has posted 123 photos at: https://picasaweb.google.com/1012028108 ... AFsiJh5Mog" 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...

[LEAFfan]

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).