Seat Heaters and Lumbar Supports installed and working

Knowledgeseeker,

I just received my heated seats and lumbar package from Rostra and I'll be doing the install next week.

I wanted to check with you first, tho. I think you had posted that you found the seats too hot and went back and had the elements lowered deeper into the seats. Do I have that correct? I think this post that I'm talking about was lost during the site issues last month.

And, to others, it's me again asking wiring/electronics questions (But to my credit, I'd rather ask these than blindly hook things up)....

I plan on tapping into the fuse box behind the dash under the steering column. Anyone know where on that box I can tap into? The trick is that I need to tap into two power sources: One that's on when the ACC switch is on and one that's on when Ignition is on.

I've pawed around the 'net and can't find what the wattage rating of the seat heaters are. All I know is that the fuse provided by them is rated at 10 amps and they state to wire to something 10 amps or greater....

Can I hook both seats up to the same sources?

Thanks again, as always, for the well thought out input!

I'll take photos of the install and let you all know if:

A) I burn my seats (and my butt) to a crisp....
B) I can connect the heaters to the HV system and cook food on the seats (or at least toast my bagel) while I drive.
C) Decide to move into the car because it's so toasty...


Cheers,
-bob

Cheers,
-bob

 

Wow!

Thanks so much for all the info!

With this, I'll be moving forward and installing these!

Thanks again!

-bob

 

I've installed the rostra power lumbar into both front seats and love them! Now, whether I'm the driver or a passenger I get a LOT better back support. I found the seats themselves pretty easy to unbolt from the car, as well as pretty easy to unhook/remove the cloth skins. There are metal d-rings that have to be bent open to release the bottom cloth, then just roll up the back portion to be able to slide the bladder between the springs and the foam. Did not even have to see the airbags, so I left that all alone. The switch is easily cut into the plastic side panel of each seat. For power I ran both power leads thru a relay, drawing constant power and ACC power from wires that I used to install my compass mirror (or the factory Homelink mirror): http://www.vfaq.net/mods/ECMirror.html
That way the ACC wire turns the relay on and draws power from a constant 12 V. Each lead has a 5 A fuse and my relay I fused at 10 A. So far so good. Love my Prius!

 

Great!

Thanks finman, more good info!

 

I'm wanting to add lumbar support (but not heated seats) to my soon-to-be-arriving 2005 Prius. Rostra wasn't sure which model to use--either 250-1454 or 250-1453. Could anyone tell me?

The parts cost is $75; any estimates on labor?

Many thanks,

Ed

 

Hi Ed,

I'll be installing mine this weekend and can tell you more then. I picked up a pair of 250-1454's.

The 1454's are 10.25" wide while the 1453's are 12" wide.

-bob

 

Bob,

Thanks so much for getting back. I was curious how the installation went. I'd like to get lumbar support, but don't need the heated seats. So, I just wanted to know which kit will work, and how much the installation might cost.

Thanks again,

Ed

 

I can recommend my old work in Denver. They're called PDA, Inc. and do car installs. They do have a website (http://66.70.95.71/index.asp), but it's not really set up well, some items are not easily indexed, then call them to order, etc. 303-761-6022. You can even use my name if you want. No discounts, but I'm still ordering from them and in good standing! If I remember my lumbar cost $52 each plus tax (6% or maybe even 7% in Denver) plus shipping up here. I want to say they both got here for under $125 total. Labor? Hmmm, I'd say a shop would take an hour for each one, maybe an hour and a half for 3 hours of labor total...$45-65 an hour...maybe $150 to do the job? Just estimating here. It took me 3 hours for both, but I am 5 years removed from my 'experienced' days of installing, plus I was in no hurry. Hope this helps...I know it helps my lower back now! They really are a nice product and addition to the...sparse...Prius seats.

 

Hi Ed,

I didn't get around to installing the lumbar pads this past weekend. The weather was just too nice to be inside!

They're calling for rain this weekend, so, if nothing comes up, I'll be installing them then. I'll post after the fact with any insigts on the size...

-bob

 

Ed,
I installed the seat heaters and lumbar support in the driver's seat this past Sat. I know you were interested in knowing what size works best. I'll share what I know so far.

Short answer: 250-1454. Long answer:

The seat is composed of three key elements: The springs, then in front of that is the foam, then the upholstery.

From the pamphlet that came with the lumbar support, the small bladder (1457) is 10.5" wide. The standard bladder (1453) is 12" wide. There's a third bladder (1454) that's 10.25" wide. From talking to Rostra, the 1457 is no longer made, so it's either the 1453 (standard bladder) or the 1454. The 1453 is made to go between the foam and the upholstery only. The 1454 can go between the foam and the upholstery or between the springs and the foam. (For folks adding seat heaters, Rostra said they can both be between the foam and the upholstery so long as some other material is placed between the two units so the bladder isn't right up against the heater).

OK, so it boils down to size. The vertical seams that you see in the upholstery as you look at the seat back will limit the size of the bladder. These seams are about 11" apart. This rules out the 12" bladder (1453).

As for positioning the bladder, it's easier to tie down the bladder to the springs.

As for functionality, which placement is better. I can't answer that one yet. I ran out of time and wasn't able to hook the power up. Finman mentioned that he placed his between the springs and the foam and it works great. Finman, out of curiosity, do you have the 1454 or some other bladder?

I know that your question only needed a short answer Ed, but I just wanted to document my findings as future reference for others.

Cheers,
-bob

 

Mine's the 1454, went between the springs and the foam. It does work nicely. I usually get in, start the car and deflate the lumbar somewhat, readjust my butt and seating arrangement (for lack of better details), then re-inflate the lumbar until it goes into the small of my back.

 

Had my Rostra Seat Heaters and Lumbar installed at Sun Auto Tops in Sunrise, FL.
They were great and they work great!

 

Okay, I just have to ask: seat heaters in S. Florida?? Please tell me they're for winter road trips northward! Or is global climate change for real, ha...All kidding aside, I love my lumbar support. Give's me even more reason to want to drive my Prius.

 

I can see the glaciers coming closer from my window.............

I use them for theraputic reasons, having had some trouble with my back. The heaters are great, like a heating pad.

 

Hey, excellant use! I use my Prius for thereputic reasons too: my mental health/stress reliever, my cleaner air, my less consumption. It's really an all-in-one solution for many of society's ills!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman\";p=\"89871)</div>

I was wondering that myself.