Lotus Elise heated seats

[HarryB]

So, I might be getting a pair of Elise seats for my NB2. Since I plan to reupholster them anyway (using new gel foam cushion and leather), I would also love to retain my heated seat function, so I plan in putting a set of heating pads in them. However, I would also love to be able to keep the existing OEM wiring loom without modifications. That means either getting Mazda/Mazda compatible replacement pads, complete with their connectors, or just compatible plugs and a set of generic heat pads. Anyone done this?

EDIT: To the mods, his thread might be more well-suited t the "electronics" section, if so please free to move it!

[—tsingson—]

I know there are aftermarket heated seat kits that can work good. I am actually looking into a kit for my Expedition. They aren't very expensive either.

[— kung fu jesus —]

^that. I think you could compare the electrical specs and find an aftermarket heater that would be compatible with the OE system. You may even be able to salvage the old heaters from the stock seats and fit them in the lotus seats.

[HarryB]

Thanks for the replies! I thought about the latter, but since I am looking into selling my OEM seats I'd rather not mess around with them. I could find an aftermarket kit (a friend has one in his NC and works great), but I do not want to cut out and solder new plugs in the cars' wiring harness, so I can revert to OEM seats if I ever wanted to.

[—tsingson—]

You can keep the OEM loom in tact. Maybe just run new wires that can be removed if you are going back to stock.

[Hyper]

I do not recall the NB2 coming with heated seats option. For what year was that option available??. That is pretty cool

[★ revlimiter ★]

I've never wanted for heated seats... kinda the opposite. The fiberglass Elise buckets really hold heat well. I've often wished there was a way to pipe the air conditioning into them.

Then I remember that Sharka's AC barely works.

You might try them without the heating elements and see what you think.

[Demon I Am]

You also live in the land of the heat miser... ;)

[Hyper]

Is it so hot in Miami right now, the beach is even packed at 8pm

[HarryB]

Yeah, it was like 38C here today as well, wish my seats were cooled in summer! However, in winter heated seats are an awesome feature, especially if you want to drive with the top down. Plus leather in winter can be really cold...

For EUDM NB2's heated seats were standard in the "high" trim editions (Nardi wooden wheel, gearknob and handbrake handle, leather seats), no idea for USDM cars though. Mine is a '04.

[★ revlimiter ★]

You also live in the land of the heat miser... ;)

I also live at an altitude higher than Denver. It gets COLD here in the winter time. A couple years ago, Albuquerque was the coldest point in the lower 48 for several days. I was able to do the trick of throwing a glass worth of hot water out the door and watching it turn instantly to snow.

I've got cloth Elise seats, but I've really never wished that they were heated.

[—tsingson—]

Mine are leather and the heat that is produced on my back is ridiculous.

[— kung fu jesus —]

The foam I added recently helped a bit with the heat and swampy results on mine, but knock on wood, my A/C has been fantastic this summer.

[Andy]

Any link to the gel foam? My back wasn't exactly happy with my elise seats on my MATG/Iowa trip last week.

[★ revlimiter ★]

Here ya go Andy.

one blog post
http://revlimiter.net/blog/2015/08/couch-cushions/

Add 1.5 rolls of foam
http://www.kemmlerproducts.com/products1.html
(1/8 HD in a full roll and 3/8 HD in a half roll)

Mix liberally in two seats. Bake for half an hour.