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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
115 degrees in Phoenix for the high today.. Eggs frying on the sidewalk, water buffalos dehydrating, it's HOT!
Got me thinking about my G, black on black interior with seats that are just like the weather, and wondering how difficult it might be to fit some newer air-cooled/conditioned seats from a newer G or another MB model?
I'm not even sure what kind of electric/plumbing/etc goes into the cooling seats or if it's just airflow, but I'm definitely curious about the idea. |
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Allister779
Date registered: Sep 2007
Location: Alberta
Vehicle(s): 1990 300GD
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
Can't offer any advice, but I'd sure be interested to see what you come up with. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
Maybe when I'm near my PC I'll try the EPC for a newer VIN and see if it has any parts lists... |
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MazWest
Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Benelux
Vehicle(s): E220T, 250GD LWB Wolf
Posts: 180
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
I've also given some consideration to this delima and have decided that the best solution for me is Recaro aftermarket seats. They make most of their models with heating and cooling. They should also be an easy bolt-in with just a bit of wiring.
http://www.recaro-automotive.com/us/product-areas/aftermarket-seats...
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uzj100
Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle(s): 00 UZJ100, 08 E350 Wagon
Posts: 194
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
I was looking at this for my vehicle.
http://www.seatcomfortkit.com/servlet/the-Seat-Cooler/Categories
http://www.seatcomfortkit.com/servlet/the-88/%231-Automotive-afterm...
Edited by uzj100 6/29/2011 7:13 AM
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brabus g36
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2006
Location: Canada
Vehicle(s): 89 230GE cabrio, 88 280GE LWB, 87 300GD pickup
Posts: 608
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
I'm wondering if those cooling seats realy work. Or does it only works between the two ears. |
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samhmbz
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
I would think between seat leather,cushions,fans and a new upper control panel switch group this would be a couple thousand dollars for a o.e installation. That's if the vehicle is prewired for this equipment. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
brabus g36 - 6/29/2011 6:26 AM
I'm wondering if those cooling seats realy work. Or does it only works between the two ears. Not sure if you're referring to uzj100's links or cooling seats in general.
I drove my Father's new Lexus that was equipped with cooling seats, and in this AZ heat of 110+ it was heavenly. |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
samhmbz - 6/29/2011 7:28 AM
I would think between seat leather,cushions,fans and a new upper control panel switch group this would be a couple thousand dollars for a o.e installation. That's if the vehicle is prewired for this equipment. I was thinking of just swapping seats - hopefully finding a newer G being parted out (wishful thinking, TBS).
Anyone on P3 with these seats that might provide a little more insight?
Judging from the MBUSA web site, they aren't actually "air-conditioned" but have "active ventilation":
MBUSA
By gently circulating air through perforations in the seat and backrest, Active Ventilated seats help keep you cooler and your clothes dryer during warmer months
I would be pretty hardpressed to ditch my stock seats and the armrests, though. Love 'em.
Edited by koly 6/29/2011 11:34 AM
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djdinaz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Arizona
Vehicle(s): 03 G55
Posts: 439
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
One of my cars has climate controlled seats. They're a function of perforated leather, with active control modules that measure temperature differentials in the seat cushions/back and surface, and use individual blowers inside the seat to push thermal electric heated or cooled air up through the perforations.
Looking at the service manual for the car, the wiring harness for each seat is a bundle of 24 different wires, connected to 4 different control modules, two blowers, heating and cooling elements, all wired to a 10 amp fuse in the fusebox and two separate 15 amp fuses and one fusible link under the hood. Way more complicated than it looks on the surface w/ the small knob on the console for heat/cool.
To me, its an overly complicated system that can be duplicated in the G by simply leaning forward a little and getting some air moving on my back.. Besides, would you really want to perforate the seats just to get a little air blowing back there? |
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samhmbz
Date registered: Dec 1899
Location:
Vehicle(s):
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
They are little fans, I will see if I can get a pic. |
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nadd
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: UAE, Dubai
Vehicle(s): G500 2016 LHD, numerous Chevys
Posts: 1285
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
Now you know why I prefer cloth velour seats. |
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
I had an 07 Range Rover with it's version of ventilated seats and it was the main reason I didn't want to let it go for the considerably more practical LR3.
Making 7000 mile trips a couple times a year, seat comfort is high on my list of priorities. |
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MarcO
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Irvington, NY
Vehicle(s): G 500 SWB, Volvo XC90 V8
Posts: 835
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
Volvo XC has the ventilated AND massaging seats. The cooling works great. Nothing better and as JWestpro said do a couple of multithousand trips per annum and you think about your car seat and its comfort a lot more. Now if you really want to feel loved, try heating, cooling and massage. You have not lived until you turn on the heat and then circulate the heat with the fan all while gently rolling massage (adjustable lumbar) rolls up and down your spine. Did I mention how much I love my Volvo for long trips....... |
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
^yes, my next "car", when I replace the BMW 535xi wagon, if I ever do (love driving it!), would be a diesel suv-ish car-like thing such as the X5d with it's massaging and ventilated seats.
My wagon, a 6 spd manual, gets 22-25 mpg on the highway with or without the cargo box and racks but the x5d would do about 30mpg which would be a nice improvement. My new car "build" of an x5d though ends up at $80k and I would rather have that go into a new G55! |
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| RE: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
koly - 6/28/2011 8:56 AM
....wondering how difficult it might be to fit some newer air-cooled/conditioned seats from a newer G or another MB model?
I'm not even sure what kind of electric/plumbing/etc goes into the cooling seats or if it's just airflow, but I'm definitely curious about the idea.
Why not pay a MB tech a few hundred to accompany you at a salvage yard after you have found a disabled 09-11 G? With a little pre-planning, he ought to be able to pull the required parts, including the entire seats. Just know that 09 got ventilated seats but 2010 MY got the newer seat shape and controls with a more adjustable headrest. |
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MarcO
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Irvington, NY
Vehicle(s): G 500 SWB, Volvo XC90 V8
Posts: 835
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
If Volvo ever got its act together and brought their diesel over in a newer XC90 I would buy it over the BMW. Too much "baggage" with the BMW including a bunch of dealers around me that make my '02 G wagen experience look like a cake walk. Also, does anyone else notice the inability of many BMW owners to find their directionals?? Sorry for the rant and I will shut up again. |
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norsecarnut
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Vehicle(s): 07 Rover LR3, 08 Audi S4Avant,04 Disco2,96 Disco1
Posts: 305
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
Location has a lot to do with your dealer experience. I've been lucky to have great dealer options in both east and west coast locations as well as in Kansas City.
I had a Volvo 11 yrs ago, an '82 240 with 220,000 miles  |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
djdinaz - 6/29/2011 11:01 AM
One of my cars has climate controlled seats. They're a function of perforated leather, with active control modules that measure temperature differentials in the seat cushions/back and surface, and use individual blowers inside the seat to push thermal electric heated or cooled air up through the perforations.
Looking at the service manual for the car, the wiring harness for each seat is a bundle of 24 different wires, connected to 4 different control modules, two blowers, heating and cooling elements, all wired to a 10 amp fuse in the fusebox and two separate 15 amp fuses and one fusible link under the hood. Way more complicated than it looks on the surface w/ the small knob on the console for heat/cool.
To me, its an overly complicated system that can be duplicated in the G by simply leaning forward a little and getting some air moving on my back.. Besides, would you really want to perforate the seats just to get a little air blowing back there?
I do that. I look like one of those perpetual motion birds sipping water - lean forward, cool off my back. Sit back, get hot. rinse, repeat. (harder to get cool air under the bum, too).
I'm not so concerned with temperature sensitive sensors as much as just cooling the seat, even a little bit. My only experience is my Dad's Lexus, which doesn't use perforated seats though I do suspect it uses an actual cooling element (not just air circulation).
That said, watching the video for the product uzj100 linked to, it seems like it would help circulate some kind of airflow through the body of the seat (even if it isn't blowing through the leather seat cover) keeping it cooler than nothing, especially when it's pulling cooler cabin-temp air than the temp of the seat and my body.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCV9YQ2W5fg&feature=player_embedded |
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koly
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 823
| Re: Seat questions - (retrofit air-cooled version?)
samhmbz - 6/29/2011 11:38 AM
They are little fans, I will see if I can get a pic.
Anything like the attached?
These look almost exactly like fans for PC towers - hmm..
 (fan.png)
 (fans.png)
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 fan.png (141KB - 0 downloads)
fans.png (142KB - 0 downloads)
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