Making your car more comfortable is the dream of any owner. Many additional features, in particular the presence of air conditioning, today it is difficult to surprise anyone. But in the conditions of the Russian climate, even a very powerful stove will not help to instantly warm up the car when it is turned on after parking in the open air. Save the car.
Luxury or necessity?
In fact, seat heating is not an additional element of comfort, but a necessary function. Sitting on a cold car seat is not only unpleasant in winter, but also dangerous to health. There are several options for creating warm seats. Some craftsmen even manage to independently introduce heating elements inside the upholstery. But why put in so much effort if there is a simple and convenient option? When high-quality car seat heating is required, capes are the best solution. Their main advantage is versatility. Covers can be used in cars of any make and model. Do not forget that there are no difficulties during installation. Capes can be removed or removed by any motorist.
How are heated capes arranged?
Externally, heated seats resemble ordinary cars. They can be made in any design. In this case, the material can have not only any color, but also a different density and texture. Inside the fabric cover are the heating elements. The most common option is high resistance wire. Some models use a special tape. The heated cover on the car seat should heat up to a pleasant temperature. The thermostat controls. The device can have one or two temperature modes, while in expensive models you can set the desired temperature to the nearest degree. Most capes work from the cigarette lighter, some are connected directly to the car's power system.
What to look for when buying?
The classic heated car seat cover only heats the seat. If desired, you can find options that warm up the back, but they will cost much more. Pay attention to the fabric from which the cape is made. If it is very soft and thin, you are unlikely to feel comfortable. The best option- Quite dense, moderately rigid fabric. It is not worth saving when purchasing heating; in the cheapest models, the thermostat does not work very well. And this means that, most likely, you will have to constantly turn off the cape yourself. However, constantly drive with the heating on when normal operation stoves are not recommended. The heated car seat cover should turn on as soon as the car is started and run until you are warm. Otherwise, you will steam out like in a sauna, and the first time you go outside, you risk seriously catching a cold due to a sharp change in temperature. Pay attention to additional cape options. Today you can find models in which heating is favorably combined with a massage effect.
On the eve of winter, I decided to improve my conditions winter driving in the car and purchased a Chinese-made ZL033 heated car seat cover from one of the chain stores for less than ten dollars. I planned to buy a more expensive one, but for that kind of money it was hard to refuse a purchase. The manufacturer honestly stated in technical specifications that the service life of this heated cape is one year. And indeed, until spring, the cape warmed the body perfectly, and when the frosts ended, it stopped warming.
Despite the low cost, the Chinese cape-warmer turned out to be easy to use. The cape itself is made of polyester, the line is even, there are elastic loops and elastic bands with hooks for attaching to the seat. The connection is made through the cigarette lighter socket, there is a switch for two modes of heating and switching off. The plug has an LED connection indicator.
Only during operation one drawback appeared, it is not clear what position the switch is in and in the dark it had to be searched for by touch. I eliminated this shortcoming by installing two LEDs of different colors in the mode switch.
As a result, it turned out that the red LED, in addition to the planned function of indicating the inclusion of the heating mode, also performed an additional function - indicating the integrity of the winding of the heating element of the cape.
Before its breakdown, the red LED began to glow periodically when the cape was bent in the LO switch position, when only the green LED should have been lit. After analyzing the electrical circuit of the cape, it became obvious that the lower winding of the heating element according to the circuit is on the verge of a break, which ultimately happened. When the nichrome wire broke in the lower winding, the red LED was energized through the upper heating winding.
Heated cape wiring diagram
The heated cape is connected to the car's on-board network using a plug that is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket.
The supply voltage from the negative terminal of the plug is supplied to terminal 2 of the operating mode switch. When the switch knob is in the middle OFF position, no voltage is applied to the heating filaments and the cape does not heat.
To turn on the heating, move the switch knob to one of the positions HI (maximum heat) or LO (minimum heat). When the switch is in the HI position, the current from the 2nd contact of the switch will flow to the 1st one and will flow from it through the upper terminal of the lower winding to the lower one, then through the tremoprotector, the 10 A fuse installed in the plug and then through the central contact of the plug into the vehicle's on-board network.
The resistance of the lower winding is 3 ohms, therefore, the heating power will be 48 watts. If the switch is set to the LO position, current will flow from pin 3 to the top pin of the top winding. The total resistance of the series-connected heating windings will already be 4 ohms and the heating power will decrease to 36 watts.
The VD1 LED, connected in series with the resistor R1, is an indicator of the presence of voltage in the cigarette lighter.
The section of the diagram drawn in blue is the result of the modernization of the cape. VD2 glows red when the switch is in the HI position, and VD3 is in the LO position. Resistor R2 limits the current through the LEDs.
How to disassemble a cape for repair
It is necessary to start disassembling the cape by removing the clamp of the current-carrying wire. In order to remove it, you need to unscrew two self-tapping screws.
Removing the wire retainer did not open access to connecting the wires to the heating elements and I had to cut the fabric and foam from the back of the heating cape. It is good to make a cut with scissors or a sharp knife. In this case, you need to be careful and accurate so as not to damage the wires and the cut turned out to be even. Then, after repairing the cape, it will need to be sewn up with threads.
An autopsy showed that the heating winding was connected to the current-carrying wire by twisting, followed by soldering. For insulation, insulating tubes are put on the rations.
A thermal fuse is included in the gap between the black wire and the lower end of the heating element for fire safety. This fact was a pleasant surprise.
He removed the insulating tubes from the joints of the ends of the heating windings with the current-carrying wire and checked the reliability of the connections. No defects found. The rations were shiny and good quality. Once again I rang the windings with a tester. The resistance of one of the heating windings, the lower one in the electrical circuit, instead of 3 ohms, was infinity. I had to start looking for a place to break.
Previously, in order for the current-carrying wire not to interfere with work and not to break off the ends of the heating windings with its weight, it was necessary to disconnect it from the windings by heating the joints with a soldering iron. In order to get to the heating conductors, I had to literally turn the car seat cover inside out. The next picture opened before my eyes.
On a sheet of foam rubber with a thickness of about two millimeters, the heating wires are wrapped in an insulating tube neatly serpentine on glue. From above, the conductors are covered with a translucent sheet of thin, fragile elastic material with a sticky layer. Access to the wires to find the place of the break was complete. The only thing left to do is to find this place.
Finding the place where the heating element breaks
Since the winding conductor broke from kinks as a result of mechanical impact, then you should start looking for a cliff in the part of the cape that spreads on the seat. To search, it is necessary to connect one end of the probe of the device to the beginning of the winding laid on the seat; according to the diagram, this is the connection point of the two windings. In the photo above, this is the right side of the cape.
The heating winding wire has a diameter of 0.3 mm and is not covered with an insulating layer. Therefore, a way to search for a break with a sewing needle is available. You need to take a sharp thin needle, attach the second end of the probe to it and pierce the insulation of the heating winding with the sharp end to find the place of the break.
For a faster search, you first need to divide the length of the heating winding wire into approximately two equal parts and make a puncture in this place - a continuity. If the chain is ringing, divide the far part of the winding also conditionally into two equal parts, and make the next puncture in this place. Mark the puncture sites with a marker to make it easier to find. If the chain does not ring, then the breakage point is between the last two punctures. Again, divide this area into two parts and make another puncture.
The halves ringing method allows you to find the place of the break by making the minimum possible number of punctures. I found a break through five insulation punctures with an accuracy of 3 cm. Insulation punctures in this case are harmless, because due to the elasticity of the plastic, the holes will be tightened and there will be none.
Heating element repair
After determining the location of the broken wire of the heating element, you can begin to repair it. To do this, carefully cut off a few centimeters of insulation along the wire to the level of the wire, pick up the bare wire with a needle and pull it out. Then cut the insulation further to half the diameter until the second end of the wire appears.
The test showed that the metal from which the heating element spiral is made is well tinned with lead-tin solder with rosin flux. I tinned the ends of the wires, cut the insulation cut along it and put an insulating tube on one of the ends of the wire. I twisted the ends of the wire together and soldered the place of twisting with solder. If you do not have experience with a soldering iron, you can get acquainted with the soldering technology on the site page "How to solder with a soldering iron".
Next, you need to connect the ends of the probe with the ends of the repaired winding and additionally check if there are any more breaks, slightly bending the cape for the seat. If the resistance is stable, then the repair can be considered complete.
It remains, having shifted to put on the insulating tube at the junction and glue it and the winding torn off from the foam rubber during the repair process with Moment glue or any other heat-resistant one.
Heated cape assembly
The cape is turned back to the correct side, the current-carrying wires are soldered, and the cable is fixed with a retainer. I fastened the section of the foam rubber with adhesive tape in order to make it more convenient to sew up the fabric.
It remains to sew the incision with threads. It does not require greater strength and the step of the rhyme can be made more than one centimeter. It is advisable to take a thread thicker so that it does not cut the fabric of the cape.
Heated car seat cover repaired and ready for further use. Sea trials confirmed that the cape began to heat the seat as successfully as before the repair.
As you can see, it is not at all difficult to repair a heated cape, and if desired, almost anyone can perform this work, following the method outlined.
Setting the operation mode indicators
into the switch
To indicate the supply of voltage to the heated cape in the plug, which, when connected to the vehicle's on-board network, is inserted into the cigarette lighter, there was a red LED. And to indicate the heating power mode or to turn it off at night, it was necessary to look for the switch in the dark by touch, since such an indication was not provided.
Therefore, immediately after buying the cape, I installed two LEDs of different colors, red and green, into the switch to indicate. On the electrical diagram of the cape, the added elements are displayed in blue. Any two LEDs, a 1.8 kΩ resistor and a small piece of wire, these are all the necessary details for making an additional indication.
To disassemble the switch, unscrew the two screws and remove one of the covers. Next, in the cover with inscriptions, you need to drill two holes with a diameter equal to the diameter of the optical part of the LEDs. Mounting is done hinged. One output of each of the LEDs is connected by soldering to each other and a resistor is soldered to them. A piece of wire is soldered to the second end of the resistor, the second end of which is connected to the black (brown) wire of the cable. To the remaining free ends of the LEDs, one wire is soldered, the ends of which are soldered to the extreme terminals of the switch.
For reliable fastening of the LEDs, the place of their installation and installation is filled with silicone. As I already reported above, when the lower winding is broken, in the LO switch position, both LEDs glow. Thus, you can find out the reason for the inoperability of the seat cover.
The photo shows how the indication occurs in the switch positions OFF (off) - the LEDs do not shine, LO (minimum heating, 34 W) - the green LED is on and HI (maximum heating, 44 W) - the red LED is on.
My review
about heated cape made in China ZL033
The reliability and quality of the ZL033 heated cape matches the price. The cape served one season flawlessly, warmed up quickly and warmed well, even in severe frosts. It is not necessary to expect a long service life from her by paying $ 10. If desired, you can extend the life of the cape for another couple of seasons with the help of repairs. So my feedback is positive.
But still, I decided not to tempt fate and bought a new, more expensive and reliable one, choosing a heated cape, in which heating element made of carbon fiber.
In anticipation of winter, I decided to improve my winter driving conditions and purchased a Chinese-made ZL033 heated car seat cover from one of the chain stores for less than ten dollars. I planned to buy a more expensive one, but for that kind of money it was hard to refuse a purchase. The manufacturer honestly indicated in the technical specifications that the service life of this heated cape is One year. And indeed, until spring, the cape warmed the body perfectly, and when the frosts ended, it stopped warming.
Despite the low cost, the Chinese cape-warmer turned out to be easy to use. The cape itself is made of polyester, the line is even, there are elastic loops and elastic bands with hooks for attaching to the seat. The connection is made through the cigarette lighter socket, there is a switch for two modes of heating and switching off. The plug has an LED connection indicator.
Only during operation one drawback appeared, it is not clear what position the switch is in and in the dark it had to be searched for by touch. I eliminated this shortcoming by installing two LEDs of different colors in the mode switch.
As a result, it turned out that the red LED, in addition to the planned function of indicating the inclusion of the heating mode, also performed an additional function - indicating the integrity of the winding of the heating element of the cape.
Before its breakdown, the red LED began to glow periodically when the cape was bent in the LO switch position, when only the green LED should have been lit. After analyzing the electrical circuit of the cape, it became obvious that the lower winding of the heating element according to the circuit is on the verge of a break, which ultimately happened. When the nichrome wire broke in the lower winding, the red LED was energized through the upper heating winding.
Heated cape wiring diagram
The heated cape is connected to the car's on-board network using a plug that is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket.
The supply voltage from the negative terminal of the plug is supplied to terminal 2 of the operating mode switch. When the switch knob is in the middle OFF position, no voltage is applied to the heating filaments and the cape does not heat.
To turn on the heating, move the switch knob to one of the positions HI (maximum heat) or LO (minimum heat). When the switch is in the HI position, the current from the 2nd contact of the switch will flow to the 1st one and will flow from it through the upper terminal of the lower winding to the lower one, then through the tremoprotector, the 10 A fuse installed in the plug and then through the central contact of the plug into the vehicle's on-board network.
The resistance of the lower winding is 3 ohms, therefore, the heating power will be 48 watts. If the switch is set to the LO position, current will flow from pin 3 to the top pin of the top winding. The total resistance of the series-connected heating windings will already be 4 ohms and the heating power will decrease to 36 watts.
The VD1 LED, connected in series with the resistor R1, is an indicator of the presence of voltage in the cigarette lighter.
The section of the diagram drawn in blue is the result of the modernization of the cape. VD2 glows red when the switch is in the HI position, and VD3 is in the LO position. Resistor R2 limits the current through the LEDs.
How to disassemble a cape for repair
It is necessary to start disassembling the cape by removing the clamp of the current-carrying wire. In order to remove it, you need to unscrew two self-tapping screws.
Removing the wire retainer did not open access to connecting the wires to the heating elements and I had to cut the fabric and foam from the back of the heating cape. It is good to make a cut with scissors or a sharp knife. In this case, you need to be careful and accurate so as not to damage the wires and the cut turned out to be even. Then, after repairing the cape, it will need to be sewn up with threads.
An autopsy showed that the heating winding was connected to the current-carrying wire by twisting, followed by soldering. For insulation, insulating tubes are put on the rations.
A thermal fuse is included in the gap between the black wire and the lower end of the heating element for fire safety. This fact was a pleasant surprise.
He removed the insulating tubes from the joints of the ends of the heating windings with the current-carrying wire and checked the reliability of the connections. No defects found. The rations were shiny and good quality. Once again I rang the windings with a tester. The resistance of one of the heating windings, the lower one in the electrical circuit, instead of 3 ohms, was infinity. I had to start looking for a place to break.
Previously, in order for the current-carrying wire not to interfere with work and not to break off the ends of the heating windings with its weight, it was necessary to disconnect it from the windings by heating the joints with a soldering iron. In order to get to the heating conductors, I had to literally turn the car seat cover inside out. The next picture opened before my eyes.
On a sheet of foam rubber with a thickness of about two millimeters, the heating wires are wrapped in an insulating tube neatly serpentine on glue. From above, the conductors are covered with a translucent sheet of thin, fragile elastic material with a sticky layer. Access to the wires to find the place of the break was complete. The only thing left to do is to find this place.
Finding the place where the heating element breaks
Since the winding conductor broke off from kinks as a result of mechanical impact, you should start looking for a break in the part of the cape that spreads over the seat. To search, it is necessary to connect one end of the probe of the device to the beginning of the winding laid on the seat; according to the diagram, this is the connection point of the two windings. In the photo above, this is the right side of the cape.
The heating winding wire has a diameter of 0.3 mm and is not covered with an insulating layer. Therefore, a way to search for a break with a sewing needle is available. You need to take a sharp thin needle, attach the second end of the probe to it and pierce the insulation of the heating winding with the sharp end to find the place of the break.
For a faster search, you first need to divide the length of the heating winding wire into approximately two equal parts and make a puncture in this place - a continuity. If the chain is ringing, divide the far part of the winding also conditionally into two equal parts, and make the next puncture in this place. Mark the puncture sites with a marker to make it easier to find. If the chain does not ring, then the breakage point is between the last two punctures. Again, divide this area into two parts and make another puncture.
The halves ringing method allows you to find the place of the break by making the minimum possible number of punctures. I found a break through five insulation punctures with an accuracy of 3 cm. Insulation punctures in this case are harmless, because due to the elasticity of the plastic, the holes will be tightened and there will be none.
Heating element repair
After determining the location of the broken wire of the heating element, you can begin to repair it. To do this, carefully cut off a few centimeters of insulation along the wire to the level of the wire, pick up the bare wire with a needle and pull it out. Then cut the insulation further to half the diameter until the second end of the wire appears.
The test showed that the metal from which the heating element spiral is made is well tinned with lead-tin solder with rosin flux. I tinned the ends of the wires, cut the insulation cut along it and put an insulating tube on one of the ends of the wire. I twisted the ends of the wire together and soldered the place of twisting with solder. If you do not have experience with a soldering iron, you can get acquainted with the soldering technology on the site page "How to solder with a soldering iron".
Next, you need to connect the ends of the probe with the ends of the repaired winding and additionally check if there are any more breaks, slightly bending the cape for the seat. If the resistance is stable, then the repair can be considered complete.
It remains, having shifted to put on the insulating tube at the junction and glue it and the winding torn off from the foam rubber during the repair process with Moment glue or any other heat-resistant one.
Heated cape assembly
The cape is turned back to the correct side, the current-carrying wires are soldered, and the cable is fixed with a retainer. I fastened the section of the foam rubber with adhesive tape in order to make it more convenient to sew up the fabric.
It remains to sew the incision with threads. It does not require greater strength and the step of the rhyme can be made more than one centimeter. It is advisable to take a thread thicker so that it does not cut the fabric of the cape.
Heated car seat cover repaired and ready for further use. Sea trials confirmed that the cape began to heat the seat as successfully as before the repair.
As you can see, it is not at all difficult to repair a heated cape, and if desired, almost anyone can perform this work, following the method outlined.
Setting the operation mode indicators
into the switch
To indicate the supply of voltage to the heated cape in the plug, which, when connected to the vehicle's on-board network, is inserted into the cigarette lighter, there was a red LED. And to indicate the heating power mode or to turn it off at night, it was necessary to look for the switch in the dark by touch, since such an indication was not provided.
Therefore, immediately after buying the cape, I installed two LEDs of different colors, red and green, into the switch to indicate. On the electrical diagram of the cape, the added elements are displayed in blue. Any two LEDs, a 1.8 kΩ resistor and a small piece of wire, these are all the necessary details for making an additional indication.
To disassemble the switch, unscrew the two screws and remove one of the covers. Next, in the cover with inscriptions, you need to drill two holes with a diameter equal to the diameter of the optical part of the LEDs. Mounting is done hinged. One output of each of the LEDs is connected by soldering to each other and a resistor is soldered to them. A piece of wire is soldered to the second end of the resistor, the second end of which is connected to the black (brown) wire of the cable. To the remaining free ends of the LEDs, one wire is soldered, the ends of which are soldered to the extreme terminals of the switch.
For reliable fastening of the LEDs, the place of their installation and installation is filled with silicone. As I already reported above, when the lower winding is broken, in the LO switch position, both LEDs glow. Thus, you can find out the reason for the inoperability of the seat cover.
The photo shows how the indication occurs in the switch positions OFF (off) - the LEDs do not shine, LO (minimum heating, 34 W) - the green LED is on and HI (maximum heating, 44 W) - the red LED is on.
My review
about heated cape made in China ZL033
The reliability and quality of the ZL033 heated cape matches the price. The cape served one season flawlessly, warmed up quickly and warmed well, even in severe frosts. It is not necessary to expect a long service life from her by paying $ 10. If desired, you can extend the life of the cape for another couple of seasons with the help of repairs. So my feedback is positive.
But still, I decided not to tempt fate and bought a new, more expensive and reliable one, choosing a heated cape, in which the heating element is made of carbon fiber.
Nothing warms you up faster on a cold day than a pay slip, a cup of hot tea, or a heated seat cover. Now many people have a car, and each of us tries to make us feel warm and comfortable in it, as a driver and passengers. The heated seat cover is designed to help us with this in the difficult conditions of the European winter. However, always before you buy something, it would be nice to understand what you are buying and why. In this article, we will give drivers a few useful tips on the topic: how to choose a good heated seat cover for a car, given the price-quality ratio.
Device device
Today, there are many ways to achieve a comfortable temperature in the car. They range from rubbing hands to special cabin heaters. All of them are effective to varying degrees, but only the cape provides direct warming of the body. This is due to its device, which we will consider as a starting point in the question: “how to choose a cape on a heated seat?”
Design
Any model for a car seat is a cover made of a special wear-resistant fabric, inside which heating (carbon fiber or metal) elements are placed. The temperature is controlled using a regulator, which is not available for all models, and the heating temperature is controlled using a temperature sensor. A high-quality heated seat cover is not afraid of water getting on it, all electronic elements are isolated in it. The device can be both internal and external, have a different design, type of connection to the electrical network of the machine, have various heating elements inside, and also cover different areas of the body for heating. All this must be taken into account when choosing a good heated seat cover. The device is extremely simple to use - fix it on the seat with special fasteners, plug it into the network and warm up.
A heated seat cover is a hot item, especially in the pre-winter season. Similar devices can be found both in specialized automotive stores and online stores, as well as in a Tajik trader on the road. There are a large number of differences between them, the really significant ones are presented below.
- Appearance, design;
- Power supply system from the mains;
- Installation method (inside the seat or from above);
- The material of the heating element (metal electric thread or carbon fiber);
- heating area;
In appearance capes on a heated seat, you should pay attention to the material of the coating, the convenience of the fasteners and the very shape of the device. Run your hand over the material, whether it is pleasant to the touch, whether it sticks to clothes. If not satisfied, look for another device.
You may want to get an inexpensive but good heart-shaped device, do not deny yourself this, just make sure that it is securely attached to the seat. Even the best non-standard devices have such a problem as sliding on the surface of the chair. Immediately think about the area required for heating, for example, if your back never freezes, and the underlying surfaces of the body are less frost-resistant, it would be wiser to take the model only on the seat.
External model for the driver
If you only want to warm the driver, it would be wiser to buy a reliable external model that is average in all characteristics, connect it through the cigarette lighter, and not know grief. This is convenient when you travel by car from cold to warm regions, for example, from Petrozavodsk to Sochi. Or maybe it's just spring. Easily unfastened, removed, neatly folded and stored until new cold weather arrives.
Embedded model
The built-in model is best used for rear seats. Its installation is much longer than for the external one, the advantages are also obvious. No external wires, no clutter on the seat. In the external version, the rule of thumb for choosing a reliable heated seat cover is to focus on the price-quality ratio for the price, giving preference to cheaper models. The situation is reversed with the internal model. For example, with heating elements. On the forums of manufacturers of capes, on a heated seat, experts recommend choosing a carbon fiber heating element for built-in options because of the reliability. So, you will save yourself from the need to rip open the cape to troubleshoot the electrical circuit of the device, which, with the built-in version, is tedious, long and difficult.
Design
Consider also the location of the temperature controller relative to the hand when sitting, do not neglect the opportunity to check it when choosing directly. Pay attention to the sensitivity of the regulator, find out if it is possible to set a comfortable temperature just for you. Modern models (especially with internal placement) are often equipped with automatic temperature control. This is a useful feature. Take a look at these devices. Make sure there is a function safe shutdown device in case of overheating. If not, then you are dealing with a fake.
What else to look for when choosing
Before buying a heated seat cover, check with the main manufacturers of such devices. Only they can guarantee the right quality. Buy only from those manufacturers who can guarantee the fire safety of their products, and its quality assembly. The heating of the entire device must be uniform, this is a kind of guarantee of build quality. Choosing an external model means checking it with your body, sit down, twist in place. Are you comfortable? Is it too bulky or rough?
Brand
Brand. It is worth paying attention to. Among the reputable manufacturers you will find the most original devices without losing quality. For example, an option with heating and a massage function. A heated seat cover is an imperfect device and will not heat your car. She has a direct purpose - to warm the back of the body directly (like a heating pad). Keep this in mind, and if necessary, equip the car additional funds heating. If you have no experience with such devices, use someone else's, focus on ratings, customer reviews, consult a friend who has already been able to feel the pros and cons of the device after purchase.
Is it safe?
No device is complete without fans and detractors, and over time, rumors and myths grow, heated seat covers are no exception, here we will briefly look at some of them.
There is an opinion that heated seat covers have a negative effect on the reproductive function of men, more precisely on the quality of the seed from overheating, but this point of view is not substantiated. This device is no more dangerous than a conventional heating pad. However, if you are still afraid, then just do not set the maximum temperature. Roots grow from the first myth and the next, they say, it is easy to catch a cold after sitting on such a heating pad. These are also just assumptions, but it is never superfluous to take care, do not go out into the cold in your underwear and everything will be in order.
Design
A fur coat, contrary to popular belief, can only be spoiled by a poor-quality model that does not have automatic temperature control, or none at all. Beware of such models of heated seat covers, you will be warm and inimitable in your fur coat. But for those who are tormented by irrational fears, we can advise you to find out at what temperature the fur coat that adorns your proud body dries out, and not to raise the heat to such a level on the cape for the heated seat. While the Heated Seat Cover works similarly to a metal spiral tile, the former is equipped with overheating sensors and fuses and will only catch fire if you douse it with gasoline and set it on fire. Keep calm.
An article on how to choose a heated cape for car seats. Features and characteristics of products. At the end of the article - a video about heated car seats.
The content of the article:
Worse than a cold car interior in winter can only be the same cold seat. And if the interior can be heated quite quickly with a special heater, then the seat will have to be brought to a comfortable temperature, the so-called “fifth point”. And this pleasure is not pleasant. But technology does not stand still and you can solve the problem of cold seats by purchasing a heating cover.
What is a heated cape. Its design and features
Heaters for car seats of different models and price categories have some differences, but they are all made according to the same principle. The design of the cape with heating consists of three components:
- Fabric base made of wear-resistant material.
- A heating element that can be made of insulated metal wire or carbon fiber. The thermoelement is built into the fabric base, evenly distributed over its area.
- The temperature sensor with which the degree of heating is regulated. The device is attached to the seat using special fixing straps and connected to the cigarette lighter socket.
- carbon fiber
- nichrome wire with PVC insulating layer;
- Teflon coated wires.
- comfort in the cold season;
- there is no risk of a cold due to prolonged sitting on a cold surface;
- additional protection of the seat material against wear.
- if used incorrectly, the cover can provoke serious diseases;
- if the insulation is broken during use, then this can lead to unpleasant consequences, up to a fire in the cabin.
How to choose a heated car seat cover and not be disappointed
The choice of names is considerable design features, as well as cost. Cheaper options are best discarded immediately if you plan to use the cape for a long time.
What to look for when buying:
The material of the case itself
The ideal option is artificial nubuck, made from a polymer material. It has not only water-repellent properties, but is also not subject to fire, which is very important in this case.
Heating element material
There are two types of heating element: metal and carbon fiber.
Everyone knows how constant loads and deformations act on metal. But the seat is subjected to external, and moreover, very active, influence. Plus, the insulation also wears out, which leads to the need to either repair the heater or replace it.
Therefore, you should pay attention to products, the heating part of which is made of carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber is a material based on very thin filaments formed by carbon atoms. Its features include qualities such as low weight, high level of thermal expansion and, most importantly in this case, increased tensile strength. These characteristics not only ensure the fire safety of the product, but also guarantee a long service life.
The presence of straps for fixing
Some models are limited to only straps that secure the device to the back of the chair, leaving the harness itself free. This creates additional troubles, since even a product covered with a special anti-slip material “rides” back and forth. This state of affairs creates inconvenience for the driver (or passenger) and leads to accelerated wear of the cover.
Therefore, you should purchase a cape, which is equipped with special latches not only for the back of the chair, but also for sitting.
The presence of a temperature sensor and a temperature controller
Some budget models are not equipped with such a detail or its functionality leaves much to be desired. However, this is perhaps the most important element of the design. It is the temperature sensor that allows you to control the level of heating and does not allow the product to exceed the permissible temperature limit.
Even if we omit excessive energy consumption and compromising comfort, a sensor is necessary. Too intense heating affects human health - prolonged use of the cape, and even in the "high heat" mode, can provoke problems such as hemorrhoids, prostatitis, infertility, and even, according to some reports, rectal cancer.
The temperature controller is also important, with which you can choose the most suitable heating mode, based on personal preferences, weather conditions and other factors.
Power
Typically, the power of the device ranges from 40 to 100 watts. However, there are also lightweight options on the market. For example, one of the models of the Zhara brand had a power of 36 W, which made it practically useless in Russian winters. The heating process at such a power was stretched for at least half an hour; during this time, the driver could well have arrived at the destination, heating the seat with his body.
For the same reason, it is worth paying attention to domestic products. They may not be as technically advanced, but they were developed taking into account local weather conditions.
Presence/absence of remote control
Management of a "smart" thermal cape with the help of a remote control promises some advantages. However, as in the previous case, the products may not be adapted to the harsh Russian realities. Typically, the manufacturer recommends taking warm room device remote control. And even with a slight decrease in temperature. And what will happen to him at -30?
External or built-in model
Heaters can be of two types - removable and built-in. The first are a cape in the full sense of the word. The latter, although they fall under the category of capes, are a heating element built into the seat structure.
The principle of operation and features of choice for both options are similar, however, the embedded model has some features that it is undesirable to ignore:
Connecting to the onboard network
This type of device usually works from the mains, which allows you to unload the cigarette lighter socket, from which most of the car's electronics are already powered.
Installation is a little tricky
To equip such heating, you will have to, at a minimum, remove the seat upholstery, install a heating element, adjust its dimensions and connect it to the network.
For this reason, saving by buying dubious products is not worth it. It will not be difficult to change a removable cape if necessary, but you will have to tinker with a built-in cape. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to carbon fiber heaters. Although they are more expensive than metal ones, their service life is much longer.
The ideal solution for heated rear seats
Firstly, it is problematic to fix a regular cape on the back seat. Secondly, as a rule, the load on these chairs is less, so the service life of the device will be much longer.
For the front seat, especially for the driver's seat, it is better to purchase an external version, which, if necessary, can be removed or replaced.
Heated child seat
In fact, the features of choosing a thermal cover for a child seat are no different from the adult version. The thermostat must be present; if you can still risk your health, then in the case of a child, such liberties are unacceptable.
Another nuance is the base material. The fabric should be well breathable and have moisture-conducting properties. In all other respects, the requirements are similar.
Conclusion on choosing a seat cover
When used correctly, a thermal cover for a car seat will make life easier for its owner and save you from many troubles. At least for a cold.
It is only important not to abuse the benefits of the device. After the seat has warmed up, it is best to turn off the device and switch to normal interior heating. This is especially true for men, whose health is not the best effect of the intensive use of a thermal cover.
Video about heated car seats: