How do the seats work?
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Freshman User
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From: Philly Area, PA
How do the seats work?
Hi all, I'm thinking of retrofitting a pair of Navigator seats to my 91 Ext Cab F-150. I have some quick questions for you - First, is all of the heat/A/C stuff self-contained? Do I just need to provide key-on power and then we're all set? How high do the seats sit off of the floor? That is, the cushion height above the bottom of the slider bracket... And does anyone have hole dimensions for the brackets?
Thanks,
Berserk
Thanks,
Berserk
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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Someone might correct me, but I don't think it is possible. I diagnosing a problem with my climate controlled seats I learned that they rely on the GEM. If the wiring harness is present (and GEMS don't differ between vehicles) then you shouldn't have a problem.
Anyhow, on to your first question: These seats use something called a Thermo Electric Device (or TED) to produce heat/cool. This is a semi-conductor device that produces heat when the current flows through it in one direction and cool when the polarity is reversed. (Conventional heated seats use a simple resistive element.) The 'conditioned' air is forced through ducts in the seat foam by a small fan. So that's how they work.
Anyhow, on to your first question: These seats use something called a Thermo Electric Device (or TED) to produce heat/cool. This is a semi-conductor device that produces heat when the current flows through it in one direction and cool when the polarity is reversed. (Conventional heated seats use a simple resistive element.) The 'conditioned' air is forced through ducts in the seat foam by a small fan. So that's how they work.
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Freshman User
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From: Philly Area, PA
Granted, I've not dealt with modern (1995+) vehicle electronics, but I would think that if I could provide the proper power, that the seats would work. Do they have controllers that will lock out power if they don't get a certain signal on startup or something?
Post Fiend
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Actually, I think it has to do with thermostatic controls that manipulate the current flow and fan speed. If you can take a peek at your prospective seats and you find more than two conductors, I'd think twice about 'only needing to hook up the juice'.
Last edited by hkiefus; Feb 17, 2006 at 06:07 PM.
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Freshman User
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From: Philly Area, PA
Ok, so what you're saying is that the actual controller is housed in the GEM module, not in the seats... Well, I should be able to get around that - my Dad and one of my good friends are electrical engineers. Between myself and them I should be able to figure out a seat.
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