Hello all,
I am hard-wiring 2 heated seat pads (driver and passenger seats) to my battery on my 2000 4cyl 4runner. I decided to wire each seat separately complete with its own in-line fuse holder (up to 30a). I've got all the parts (wires, wire connectors, terminal connectors, in line fuses, etc). What I do not know is the best place to pass through the firewall?

Also, when it comes to mounting the negative ground wire, should i put it on the one thats already there from factory installation (right next to my battery). Or mount the ground wire on a different spot? i remember there being other ground spots right next to the factory one under the hood on the perimeter of the engine bay.

Any insight from you guys is greatly appreciated as always.

BEST PLACE FOR FIREWALL WIRING PASSTHROUGH??

thanks again,
sk

 

As for the ground, just find a bolt near by or drill a screw through some metal. You don't need to route that all the way to the batter. The times I went through the firewall I went through the hole by where the drivers feet are. Any hole will do, that is just what I found easiest.

 

i know there's one hole on the drivers side that comes in below the drivers side fuse box, but i was having trouble getting a single 10 gauge wire through there, much less all 4 (2 pos, 2 neg). so i guess i should rephrase my question, is there a better place to wire through the firewall? or a better way to thread these wires through that pass through.
thanks yall

 

where can i find a bolt nearby inside from the car?? i just kinda figured i would have to go back to the engine bay to get a good solid ground

 

I used the bolt that holds the seat belt to the floor (amp is in the back seat). You can find some metal under the dash somewhere and zip a screw in or find a bolt somewhere.

 

another option, which i'm now regretting i haven't done (and have tapped a few +12volts wires already) is install an aux. fuse block in the cab, so only 1 wire (8/10awg, or BIGGER!) would lead from the (+) of the battery to the cab.

a little pricey, but, again, wish i did this from the get-go to clean everything up! link to a writeup/idea generator.

 

i had to drill through the firewall to get the 4 gauge wiring through for my amp

 

Check out this thread:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f96/...rewall-107677/

 

That last link is exact what i did only with 2 bigger holes. Works great for me, i also installed a fuse block above those holes, 1 switched, 1 constant and a place for another constant.

 

on my 98 there was a great fire wall hole i got three 16 ga wires for my lights a 4ga power wire for one amp and a 8ga power wire for the other amp ill take a pic 2morrow if you like

 

yeah please elton. all this feedback is helpful guys, but i think im a visual learner.

 

first one question y do u want to hardwire them and r u going to b running a switch with them bc if u dont they will run all the time and thus drain your battery and if u want them to have have good power just hook them up to the ignition on that way they wont run accidentally without your being in the car?

 

It's pretty easy to run a few more wires through the rubber boot where the engine harness goes through the firewall.

 

ok guys, did it all up today. worked out pretty well i think. threaded the wires up each kick panel and underneath each seat respectively. both seem to work with 20 amp fuses in place (although i am trying to find the lowest fuse that will power them but not break). looks good, and im pretty happy with it overall.

to address kerby's question, i am hardwiring them because they kept blowing out the power accessory fuse when i had them running on the factory cig lighter.

as for making sure power is cut off when the engine is off... that would be my only improvement. its true (im pretty sure) that they are still fed power if they are not actually turned 'off' on the heat seat switch...i would consider having them tied to the engine, but i would ask if this is there a similar setup to what i have now or is it a hole new project?? ideas?

 

here's the pic

 

wow, where is that exactly??

 

Looks to be beside the brake booster next tot he brake lines.

It would be behind the engine hard to see unless you are looking for it which must be why i have never seen it.

 

ok, so i think it will be worth my time (and battery consumption) to install a relay for these seats. I am considering just putting them in under the hood. I hope theres no problem here, as long as there out of the way. The only thing that might be of interest here is that I am in Vermont=COLD.

either way, the only thing im not sure about is if i need 2 relays, since i wired up each seat to its own in-line fuse. (im assuming a 30a relay will be the proper match for the 30a rated in line fuse on each setup.. even though its currently running on 15a fuse)..

Second, what do i want to be my "switch" input. keep in mind that if i do this under the hood, i'd like it to be something close, IE something under the hood near battery... either in the fusebox or somewhere under accessible the hood.

Again, thanks for your help in advance
sK

 

Run both hot wires,to a switch you can buy at autozone and mount that on your dash , If you really want to get technical you can do a realy and all that.

 

to be honest i think its less technical to just throw a relay in. that way i dont ever have to think about it... and i dont wanna fashion a switch or have to take apart the inside again really