3D print - seat heater switch panel for console (or wherever)

In the middle of my seat heater install and the switches didn't fit my OEM cutouts and I really wanted them in the console anyway. So I made up this little panel insert to go in the console... or really anywhere you have a little flat space. Some of the photos haven't updated on Thingiverse yet from my last save. Damn, that site has gotten horribly slow. Almost impossible to work with in real time when uploading new things.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4612733

 

Damn a day late . I just ordered a heated seat kit for my rear passengers. And I almost bought the kit with those switches. But didn’t want to try and cut them to fit. Nice work by the way!

 

What kit did you go with? I went with this one. I had some issues with pads shorting and got some new ones coming. Also not sure these will get hot enough. i just tested them so far with a little 12v hobby battery and they only got up to about 95 degrees. But they were pulling the battery down to 11.5V whereas the Tacoma alternator will be pumping out plenty of amps at ~14V. These things are thermostat regulated but still I expect better performance one I finish the install.

Yeah, if you have the round switches install will be easy. I am about iterated out on this design.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0119553TC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Also a tip... test the darned things as you go. Test them before you place the pads, test them one they are placed, especially the ones for the bottom cushions that need to be cut. Test them once the seat covers are installed and before you put the seats back in the truck. Otherwise you might find you have some extra work to do... and find yourself in hog ring heaven.

 

Cross posting to https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-3d-printed-parts.642265/page-18

 

Looks clean, nicely done seat heaters are on my "someday I'll get around to it list", this will simplify switch placement for sure.

Edit:

and also yes, Thingiverse has quickly been going downhill, speed-wise. I never know if my uploads are actually uploaded.

 

I buy from
http://www.heatyourseat.com/
If you get these ask for the premium kit they get really hot!!!. They are more expensive but good quality kit my switches up front are actually flat push button

 

Looks like a nice kit. Depending on how mine perform I might just have to try these. What would be helpful is if everyone doing an aftermarket kit would point an infrared thermometer at their finished seats to show the max temp reached. I'll do that one I am done with my install.

 

I could hit mine with my temp gun to check the temp

 

Now I have more shit to do on my truck. Thanks! Edit: heat the bed

 

I finished this up today using the kit linked above. I am pretty happy with it. Could be warmer but when you see the 16g main power wires in the harnesses for these typical kits you understand they aren't designed to push big amps. These could be powered off fuse taps but I took a more robust approach connecting the main heater pad power wires to a big bore unswitched +12v supply to my subwoofer that comes right off the battery. One reason I did this is it was convenient and another is if I ever decide to upgrade to a hotter kit that uses a standard relay I'll have the infrastructure ready.

This kit uses low current switched 12v leads to energize electronic relays that sends the main power to the heater pads. I did use a fuse tap plugged into one of the 20 amp power window slots for that with a 5 amp fuse for the seat heater relay.

Another nice touch for this kit is the lighted switches. They have 2 lights, one to show that they are turned on and heating and the other optional one connects up to the instrument lights so it lights up at night so you can find the switches to turn them on. A couple of pics showing the switches and the place to tap into the instrument light on the shifter. Both wires look pretty much the same but the one with more - signs is the ground and the other it the one you need to tap. I skinned a little of the insulation and soldered up a wire. The little bulb twists to come out so you can get at the wires.