Technical ELECTRIC HEATED SEATS - Hummm how do they work?

[FRANTIC FRAN]

Thought I'd have a look at some old seats that I exchanged from a C8 (I if recall correctly), well the were really knackered on the bases so no real loss.

Now mine work perfectly in the Prestigio (even the backs), but I know a lot of people have complained about them not working in the past on several forums so let's take a look.



Basically there is a small plastic flexi circuit board which simply splits to a zigzagged small wire. Now I'm guessing that because it is just one loop that it only takes a break in this flimsy wire to stop it from working.

I posted some time ago now with a link to new seat foams from Italy, I can't see how you could remove the heater element as it's all in with the foam but it should be possible to improvise your own.

 

[cliky]

yep the wire is the heating 'element' similar tech is used in battery powered socks and clothing. you can buy the actual wire (seen it somewhere! However i think it was 240v not 12V I saw).
Could you not retro fit it to new foams by ' Cutting or Slicing' the element part of your old seats and overlaying it onto your new ones?

EDIT: New I'd seen it somewhere:
http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/625822/Arnold-Rak-12-m-Heating-Cable-12V-

If you bought the cable on its own you could always make a Giant needle out of a wire coat hanger and then thread it into the foam about 20mm from the surface!