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Heated Rear Seats

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by turnersn, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. turnersn

    turnersn Junior Member

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    Has anyone installed aftermarket heat in the rear seats? I have the following questions as I consider doing this:

    1) Heat just the bench off of 1 set (2 pads/set)?

    2) Where to draw power?

    3) Where to locate the on/off switch(es)?

    I'd be placing this under Clazzio seat covers. I've considered only heating the bench and using 1 switch and possibly mounting that on the back of the center console. Issues with this are that all people on rear bench either get heat or don't. Also, routing the cable for the switch to the center console means going under the carpet. I wouldn't mind putting 2 sets in for individualized control but again routing to the center console for the switches is a problem. Interested in thoughts of others.
     
    #1 turnersn, Nov 4, 2011
  2. turnersn

    turnersn Junior Member

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    Seriously? 103 views and not one suggestion? How can this be? I find this group to be ingenious and imaginative. Certainly someone has some suggestions.
     
    #2 turnersn, Nov 6, 2011
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    lol. Has no one else done it?

    I would think one for each outboard seat would suffice (unless you regularly carry 3 at the back).
    I think the centre console is the easiest one. The alternative is wire each set to the associated door panel (to the power window switches). You'd only have to take out the plastic door sill cover, the b-pillar cover and then wire it through the same way the windows go. Of course that means if you lock the window out, it may also cut power to the heated seats.

    As far as location. You could mount it to the back (or side) of the centre console box if you intend to remove it. Alternatively, velcro it to the carpet below the seat (but above the floor). However, this means your passengers will have to feel around for it.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Nov 6, 2011
  4. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    I could just be a control freak but I'd have the switches up in the driver area. Just in case someone left one on in the back. I'd hate to find out a week later a passenger left one on.
     
    #4 Southern Dad, Nov 6, 2011
  5. turnersn

    turnersn Junior Member

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    Center console was my thought as well, but how to run the wires from the seat to the console? Not sure how difficult running under the carpet would be. Also, when I removed the rear bench I remembered seeing several bundles of wires and wondered if one was something I could tap into for the power. Accessing the center console box is easy enough as I went in there for the front heated seats and mounted the switches on either side. Can't believe no one has made this minor modification considering tons of folks have added leather seat covers and heated seats.
     
    #5 turnersn, Nov 6, 2011
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I guess most don't have rear passengers or carry rear passengers very often. I would love to add some but I don't want to rip out the factory leather. It's easier if you had it done aftermarket since you're removing the fabric anyway.

    Umm... be careful since some of those wires may be the rear lights or the backup camera so they'll only be on while the taillights are on. Just a guess. I have no clue since I don't have the schematics in front of me.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Nov 7, 2011
  7. robby3

    robby3 Member

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    I would install two relais for the left and right ones. Activate them with just impulse switches (easy to do) located in the rear of the middle console. With this the heaters always go off when you switch off the power of the car without thinkign about them :)

    But be careful with placing the heating pads in between the covers and the fabric/leather of the seats. I'd really check back with the manufacturer of your choice if this way of installing them is recommended or if there's any possibility of damage. If not then connect the feeding 12V directly to the battery and the controls of the relais to any lead that is on 12V when ign is on. You can take this directly from the current heater switches as an example.

    If any possible issues with the heat pads are sorted out, I'm sure this will be a great add-on. Especially when I go for dinner with my parents in winter they would really appreciate heated seats in the rear :)
     
    #7 robby3, Nov 7, 2011
  8. robby3

    robby3 Member

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    If you need any help in how to wire it just drop me a message. I can draw you a small el. drawing if you need one.
     
    #8 robby3, Nov 7, 2011
  9. turnersn

    turnersn Junior Member

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    Thanks. I put heated seat inserts between my fabric and leather seat covers (Clazzio) in the front. I got all this from TRD Sparks and I've seen many threads so I presume it is all 'safe'. The back bench is easy enough to put the heat pads. If I could easily run the wires under the carpet to the center console I'd be set, but I'm not sure that is easy. That would hide the wires, I could tap into the 12v in the console and mount the switch on the back of the console for passengers. any thoughts on how difficult it would be to run wires under the carpet to the console?
     
    #9 turnersn, Nov 7, 2011
  10. jaredy

    jaredy Member

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    Have you done this?
     
    #10 jaredy, Jan 24, 2014
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