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When I took the initial voltage readings, there was only about a 1V drop between the two settings, versus a drop of almost 4 volts between the middle setting and the weakest setting.
O Ok, that makes sense then. I'll dig through star to see if I can change the voltage tied to the different stages. I did that before for my seat heaters so hopefully can do it for the fans as well.
The stock fan is a 60x60x10, the more powerful 60x60x10mm fan I could find on DigiKey was a 21.2 CFM, I think significantly more air flow is needed, so I have ordered 4 of theses fans:
I just got my car back today (front left airmatic replaced). I'm going to get started this weekend. Keep up the good pics and reports; much appreciated!
Today I received the fans and completed the install:
Here is the new fan, next to the stock one; I used a Dremel to cut the flanges.
Using an Exacto knife I enlarged the hole in the back of the seat, I used a round tip blade to make sure not to cut the internal fabric support.
Use a new blade, it is much easier!
Soldering the new fans to the existing cable.
Fans fitted in the enlarged holes.
I added back the thick fabric padding, secured to the seat with a zip tie.
Once all done with the seat cover back installed, in a quiet garage with the engine off, a level 3 the noise is louder than the stock, but not that much; but now I can definitely feel air coming trough, if I put a piece of paper on the seat an it does catch a little air and wave gently. On level 2 the noise and performance difference is barely noticeable, while at level 1 the noise is much lower.
Overall it took me 2 hours to do one seat, including fiddling around, taking pictures, the passenger side will take much less time, as for the bottom seat, I will to try if I can see an exploded view of the seat parts, someone has a pdf ?
I will do a more thorough review after a day of driving tomorrow, hopefully the weather will be nice!
I just finished mine as well. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures because I had to rush it for a road trip tonight. I was able to squeeze the fans in without cutting away the seat padding but after doing so, I realized that cutting it away will not result in any adverse affects. I could not feel any difference in the way the seat back feels on my back when seated.
I would say that it is definitely louder than stock. In fact it may bother some folks. With no radio on at a standstill, you can hear the fans on the highest setting. Hopefully I can feel it on the road trip tonight.
Today I received the fans and completed the install:
Here is the new fan, next to the stock one; I used a Dremel to cut the flanges.
Using an Exacto knife I enlarged the hole in the back of the seat, I used a round tip blade to make sure not to cut the internal fabric support.
Use a new blade, it is much easier!
Soldering the new fans to the existing cable.
Fans fitted in the enlarged holes.
I added back the thick fabric padding, secured to the seat with a zip tie.
Once all done with the seat cover back installed, in a quiet garage with the engine off, a level 3 the noise is louder than the stock, but not that much; but now I can definitely feel air coming trough, if I put a piece of paper on the seat an it does catch a little air and wave gently. On level 2 the noise and performance difference is barely noticeable, while at level 1 the noise is much lower.
Overall it took me 2 hours to do one seat, including fiddling around, taking pictures, the passenger side will take much less time, as for the bottom seat, I will to try if I can see an exploded view of the seat parts, someone has a pdf ?
I will do a more thorough review after a day of driving tomorrow, hopefully the weather will be nice!
Yes, I drove around for the last 3 days with this mod, and I LOVE IT. It did make a big difference, now I can feel cooler air through a tee shirt or even though a long sleeve shirt, so much so, that after 15 minutes or so, I have to lower the fan speed to avoid it being too cold.
Noise is not an issue even at full speed, it is drowned with the engine noise and radio.
Overall a great mod, I will do the passenger side and investigate the bottom seat.
Yes, I drove around for the last 3 days with this mod, and I LOVE IT. It did make a big difference, now I can feel cooler air through a tee shirt or even though a long sleeve shirt, so much so, that after 15 minutes or so, I have to lower the fan speed to avoid it being too cold.
Noise is not an issue even at full speed, it is drowned with the engine noise and radio.
Overall a great mod, I will do the passenger side and investigate the bottom seat.
Thanks for the pictures and the diy. can you post a link to where you bought the fans that made a drastic difference? I will be doing this ASAP
There is not that much space back there the clearance must already be tight with the 80mm; and you want to keep some seat padding... I'd stick with 80mm, maaaaaaaaybe 92mm and most definitely 15mm thick, so you still have some "give" in the seat.
I'm out of town for the next month, but when I get home I am going to try to pipe a small line from the rear center console AC and run it under the carpet and up to the seat back.
I figure, the AC has to run above the trans tunnel and below the center arm rest so it shouldn't be too hard to locate, then tap in a small line, snake it under the carpet, then tie it up in the seat-back with a small y-splitter at the end to divert the air right behind both fans. Should be able to control the amount of AC by using a small line so that it doesn't become too cold.
I'm out of town for the next month, but when I get home I am going to try to pipe a small line from the rear center console AC and run it under the carpet and up to the seat back.
I figure, the AC has to run above the trans tunnel and below the center arm rest so it shouldn't be too hard to locate, then tap in a small line, snake it under the carpet, then tie it up in the seat-back with a small y-splitter at the end to divert the air right behind both fans. Should be able to control the amount of AC by using a small line so that it doesn't become too cold.
Funny ... people are boosting seat cooling performance ... love it! My vented seats don't work for crap. Maybe I will some of the high CFM fans .... right after installing engine performance mods ... maybe attach a hose to the supercharger ... would feel some real air then ... LOL ... gotta love these forums! Thanks to all for sharing!
05-24-2011, 08:54 AM
... maybe attach a hose to the supercharger ... would feel some real air then ... LOL ... gotta love these forums! Thanks to all for sharing!
