Seat heater elements

First time hearing of anyone doing this... I'm no engineer, but I wouldn't want to do with anything where water and electricity would come in contact with anyone in my boat.. People in boats are for the most part "wet". Especially ski boats..

I would invest in a standard hot air heater made for that application and stay clear of wires any water.....

Just my 2 cents..

Moj'

Many oem’s including MC and presumably CC offer heated seat options, so I don’t have the same concerns as Mojo. A quick google search revealed plenty of aftermarket kits that are appropriate for wet environments (boat, motorcycle). I will absolutely be pursuing these myself when it’s time to reskin my Bfn (to compliment the hot air heater I’ve already got). Also curious to hear anyone’s feedback on specific brands... good thread!

I have been on boats with seat heaters, and when they are there I used them regularly in the shoulder seasons – they can be quite nice especially when combined with the typical vented heater.   While water and electricity aren’t the best of friends this stuff is all low voltage and should be safe enough, although care on installation is likely needed for the elements to have a good long life. There’s plenty of youtube videos on the install of both seat heaters and boat seat covers combine the two and you should be ok. The nautique specific bits would be related to safely powering the heaters. There is typically not sufficient wiring to the dash to support the current needs of such heaters so you need upgraded or dedicated power lines. Additionally, if you want the ignition switch to be on to use the seat heaters (and you do or eventually you will kill the battery) then I would suggest you add a relay in addition to dedicated and fused wiring back to the engine (or the battery).   I don't think you are likely to have more than 3-5 amps per seat, but I have seen boats where that was enough load on the ignition circuit that the ignition system wouldn’t get proper voltage at speed to run the engine, particularly when combined with the current draw from the heater fan.

Grant West did this on Bling*Bling over 10 years ago.

Gary,
No comment? I thought you were an expert on heated (and cooled) seats.

I can’t see the need. On second thought I want heated seats.

Hmmm.... I'm just amazed that Pete hasn't brought out the whole "KEEP IT ORIGINAL" statements that I so routinely used to see....    

BTW .... I think it's a great idea as well and might be interested in looking at it myself.   

I’m in the process as well. Heaters were on the slow boat from China I’m pretty sure. They just made it state side yesterday so I should have them some time next week. Doing the captains chair (bottom/back) and observer seat (bottom/back). I will post pictures when they arrive and I get them positioned.

man0seven wrote: @brit, How are you going to do the Captains back? With the three rolls? I wasn't planning on it on mine.

Sorry, I’m doing it on a 2001 SAN. It has a flat back.

man0seven wrote: I am in the process of doing this. I will post pictures as i do it. I believe it should be really easy. FWIW I believe that it is wet rated. Seat Heaters

These look good except that I think round switches will be easier to install, so I'm looking for another version. The driver seat cushion will be easy, but I'm not sure about the observer seat. Looks like I need to use two seats worth but cut one down since I want the whole observer seat to be warm (for two observers). Or I could just do one side and only one person is warm.....

I have installed Seat Heaters, not in my boat but in my GM Tahoe. They are nice to have for sure.
Two issues I would need to consider in a boat.   These things drink electricity, pretty strong amp draw. You may need a larger alternator to offset the new demand.

I am not sure how they will perform when wet, Boat Seats get wet, not sure it this will work and be safe or how long they will last if frequently wet..   Curious to know your thoughts.

Oh, I'm not doing the driver seat back but am doing the observer seat back. My seat back is open on the lower part, and the upper part consists of three 'pillows'. I have been using a cheap plug in car seat heater (about $20 on Amazon) for years. The bottom side is great (very warm and comfortable). However, since I'm usually in a warm coat when driving, I don't really feel the warmth of the seat back. Besides, it is not practical to try to put elements in the 'pillows'.

slmskrs wrote: Thanks for the pictures!! Looking forward to see how it goes. I just purchased the elements and my skins should arrive next week so I can try to install them the following weekend. Question: It looks like your driver seat cushion is like mine, with a front and rear foam sections. The seat skin has a flap that is pulled down between the front and rear sections to hold down the material and make it look like two parts. The element obviously won't fit there with the flap, so the options are to either not have the flap pulling down the skin (may look funny), or using two separate elements for the front and back side. I'm looking to use two elements, but I won't decide until after I get the skins back. Let us know how it goes. Appreciate the pictures!!! Since I"m doing the same thing in a week and a half, I really appreciate this!!! Gordon

The first picture I posted was the driver seat bottom. You’ll notice the heating pads have gaps between the elements. I drew a line and wrote the word pull where that vinyl will get pulled down. It lined up perfect to where the pull is between to heating element sections. The pad will be cut in the middle between the outer edges where the circuitry wiring is. I have really left it up to the upholsterer to fine tune it so we will see how it turns out. Should have these pieces back next weekend. I will update once finished.

Hey Brit,

Did you get your skins back? I got mine on Monday, so I'm going to attempt the seats this Saturday. If you've done any of them, I'd love to see some pictures, especially how you did the pull downs. Looks like you will cut through the section without the elements in the middle, and pull the seat pull down skin through that opening to staple to the frame. I haven't had a chance to lay out the elements on the cushions yet; may not get to it until Friday evening.

I'll also have to figure out how to route the driver seat wiring. My carpet is shot but I'm thinking of replacing it with Sea Dek, but don't know if I will be able to make it look good or not. I guess I could drill down through the floor underneath the seat frame into the bilge, and then route the wiring up to the bow. That's probably the cleanest, but permanent wiring will happen after I'm done and all the seats work. I'm thinking I'll mount the seat heater switches by the heater switch (next to the ignition lanyard behind the throttle).

But first is getting the seats put back together with the elements. Fingers crossed....

@slmskrs
I just found my stainless steel staples so I can finish.
Yes, I am cutting through the pad and then pulling the tuck through and stapling it back down.



The observer seat I am going to do ask pictured.


Then one in the back.