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Plug-in seat heaters affect battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by sparkychai, Nov 29, 2015.

  1. sparkychai

    sparkychai Junior Member

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    Will using TWO plug-in seat heater pads (either with a CLA splitter or one under the dash plug and one in the console plug) adversely affect and/or drain the 2006 Prius battery? It seems an inexpensive alternative to the $250/seat I've seen mentioned to install heated seats.

    Thanks,
     
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    What is the current demand or the wattage of these heaters.

    John
     
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    They wont drain a battery. Anything that draws too much current is going to blow a fuse. Checks the specs of the pads and the plugs. Both plugs are not the same size but I forget which one is smaller.
     
  4. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The outlets are alive when the car is not in ready mode. Even if the heaters only draw 5 amps each the battery could be quickly drained particularly if the 12 volt battery is not new. If the battery is original in a 2006 car it may only take a matter of minutes to discharge. The seat heater panels should be connected so that they can only operate in ready mode. Any other method is asking for trouble.

    John.
     
    N.J.PRIUS likes this.
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    Man. euro prii are better in so many ways. our outlets all turn off when we hit the power button off. it would be nice if one would remain hot. and we have that stupid bladder...
     
  6. sparkychai

    sparkychai Junior Member

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    I don't think the seat plug-in would stay active when the car is turned off; my CLA for my phone never stays on when the car is not on. It doesn't seem that this would be different.
     
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The European versions are on with one or two pushes of the start button without the brake being operated for ready mode. In those two modes I think they are normally called "accessory" and "Ignition on" the sockets are on, but the 12 volt battery is not being charged. Check it out.

    John
     
  8. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    There was an "always on" kit for the Gen2 Prius offered by Elearnaid a while back.

    JeffD
     
  9. Cosmin

    Cosmin Junior Member

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    I have installed two OEM-like seat heaters(under the original seat covers) in my 2005 Prius with low-off-high buttons, these are more powerfull than your cigarette lighter powered seat heaters, and i didn't see any loss in mpg or any adverse effect due to battery draining. The car inverter has more than enough power to sustain your 70-80W / 2 seats. As a comparison mine are 60-70W/seat, so don't worry.