Adding aftermarket heated seat elements in 1999 legacy outback, what power source to tap into?

[anchoricex]

Hi all,

Have a 1999 subaru outback. Didn't come with heated seats so I went ahead and pulled mine apart and installed these aftermarket heating elements in them. Now I need to wire them up into the car and I was wondering what power source I should draw from and what the best way to do this would be.

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Heated...eat+heater+kit

From the description: "Each Seat Includes Two Pads - One for the Seat Back and One for the Seat Bottom. Two Kits are included to Accommodate two seats. Rectangular switch with High, Low and Off Settings - a separate switch for each seat. Electronic thermostat (built into each pad) regulates the electricity / temperature circulating within the carbon fiber seat heating pad. This system regulates the flow of power and maintains a narrower temperature range whether in a high or low setting. Example: The high setting will have a constant range between 120°F to 125°F. The low setting ranges between 110°F to 115°F. These respective temperatures are maintained at these respective levels. Backrest & Seat Bottom Heating Pads -- 11" x 18" Pads are approximately 1/32" thick. Either pad can be installed in back or bottom. Length can be trimmed to any size. Electrical Specs Wattage: 24~36 Watts per Pad, 48~60 Watts per seat Current Draw: 3 Amps on Low Heat Setting and 5 Amps on High Setting per Seat. It is a 12 V system. If you have always wanted to add factory like heated seats to your Vehicle or Boat, then this Heated Seat kit is the ideal kit and the ideal solution whether you own a car, SUV, Truck, Boat or Plane. Carbon Fiber technology is the best seat heating pad material in the marketplace. Installation may require removal and re-installation of seat and seat covers, as well as basic knowledge of the vehicle's wiring or professional installation."

[Cooper197]

So I did mine a somewhat complicated way, but I didn't want to take any chances.

I used a relay which is triggered by the switched power from the stereo (or maybe I used the cigarette lighter, either way it's just what turns on the relay so no big deal) and then did a lead from the battery to the relay to the seats with a 10 amp inline fuse. Works great, and the seats always shut off when the car does so no issues there. Also doesn't overload any circuits!

Those heaters should be sweet! I have a set in my Legacy and my 66 Chevy, both are FAR better than most factory heated seats I've been in!

[nepbug]

Personally I'd wire it in like factory, but that would require the most work.

I've installed seat heaters into 5 different Subarus, 4 I wired up like stock the fifth was a 95 legacy that never had the stock option, so I wired it to the cigarette lighter. No need for an extra relay as it was already a relayed circuit.

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[vinceftlc]

i hate wiring. just have a shop do it, so if something goes wrong, you have someone to blame.