Aftermarket heated-seat to Captains Seat install - How To

[Lowlec]

after purchasing my t6, top of the bucket list was a pair of comfy heated captains seats ready for conversion to a camper.my mate put me on to a guy who imports caravelle seats from Germany,so once installed the drivers seat was formally a passengers seat.so these are seats that I purchased.....

 

[Lowlec]

Next job was to connect up the factory fitted heated seats as a retrofit!, I wanted to be able to control the seats from the dashboard(to avoid fumbling down the side of the seats while driving,like my old transit sport) so opted to use electric door switches to operate the seats and to get rid of some of the blanks in the dash(ocd thingy) so purchased the 3no switches along with the pin crimps and rear connectors to do a proper job,so I stripped the switches down to work out the switching arrangements (as I wanted the switches to illuminate with headlights on and to illuminate to confirm seat is on!) .it was trail and error working out the electronics on the pcb so I used a 5v usb supply to prevent damage as this low voltage still illuminated the led‘s.......so stripped out the dashboard and wired belden cables back from each switch position back to passenger seat base along with 2no switched ignition feeds from the central fuse box.


Dash switch stripped down to work out,what’s what







1 switch down, 2 to go...work in progress

Multi core cables all routed back to passengers seat base area,ready for termination

 

[Lowlec]

Next task was to build a relay control module, that would be mounted in an adaptable box under the passengers seat for ease of access and future upgrade.because the switches in the dash are momentarily,latching relays were required(push on...push off) I did try a Siemens logo PLC as the brains,by pressing different switches on the dash I could create different ‘cause & effects’ with timers etc which was great,but the permanent supply for the PLC required wasn’t very good for the starter battery so opted for the bullet proof basic relay design.every terminal on the dash switches were wired back independently so I could chop & change at one point.all cables were terminated into top hat din rail connectors, also I run another multi core from the box to the dash for switching my permanently mounted TomTom on with the ignition, linking the the dimmable night illumination feed back for the switches and footwell ambient light(post to follow)the pic below was work in progress,it is all marked up and securely mounted now.




Latching relay set,negative trigger

 

[Lowlec]

Next step was to have the seats reupholstered, then power everything up to go!.
I've dedicated the 3no door switches for the heated seats...
left switch....... hers
right switch.....mine
the middle switch I’ve got wired up but don’t need to use as the seats function perfectl,I intended using this switch for 50% heating by combining the upper & lower heating pads in each seat in series,
100% heating is both heating pads wired in parallel, this mod I’ve done functions great.............
in a nutshell.....
push switch on,switch illuminates,seat heats up.
push switch again,switch led goes off with the heater pads.
all vw parts used (except for the relay/wiring) thanks to @Pauly so all looks authentic! Even at night when the red ambient led’s come on with everything else.
its great when i take my van to the dealership for a service and they scratch they heads and ask questions about the switches!... lol

 

[Lowlec]

These seats are far superior in my opinion compared to the standard captains seat that comes with the highline. the standard captains seat has only 1 stitching bar on upper part of the seat,as these caravelle ones have 2 stitched bars as per the photo!

@Dellmassive do you want me to put up more mods I’ve done?

 

[hoggle]

Fantastic, really in depth write up! I like those seats...

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive do you want

Yep, keep em coming...

 

[jeffrey]

Top work..

 

[Brettvee]

Awesome

 

[Katoof]

The seats look great - where did you get them re-upholstered?

 

[snowdrop]

That is an amazing job , way too advanced for me , green with envy!

 

[Lowlec]

Cheers