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Thread: is a relay needed for power seats?

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  1. #1
    Registered Member WagonCrazy's Avatar
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    is a relay needed for power seats?

    wiring up the 57 nomad. have power bucket seats out of a lexus .
    the fuse panel is mounted to the center trans tunnel, just ahead of the T56 shifter.
    is there any reason why i need to wire in a relay to power the seats?
    its less than a 3 foot wire run from fuse panel to each seat motor.
    can i just wire them both to thru a fuse in the panel and call it a day?

    would be wired to 'always hot 12v" so they can be operated with the engine off...

    hmmm, i wonder if the electronics under each seat already have relays there? gonna have to check that.

    if not, thinking of wiring directly to a 30 amp fuse ...no relay.

    problems?
    1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
    1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.

  2. #2
    Registered Member Rocketman's Avatar
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    I think if you use a heavy enough wire you will not need a relay. I think I would use a circuit breaker though and make sure it is close to the power source.

  3. #3
    Registered Member Custer55's Avatar
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    If I remember correctly I wired mine to direct battery power on a 30 amp breaker with a circuit breaker also. I have not had any issues with it that way but I rarely adjust the seat anyway. I am it's only driver and once I set the seat to my liking it hasn't been moved much anyway.
    Brian

  4. #4
    Registered Member WagonCrazy's Avatar
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    seems like a wiring a circuit breaker and a fuse inline is redundant?
    1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
    1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.

  5. #5
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    30A seems like a lot of current for a power seat.

    I don't think that power seats usually use relays in their OEM applications.

    A review of the wiring diagram for the car your seats came from would be useful, and duplicating what the factory did on that would be good.

  6. #6
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Adding a relay for seat power would be redundant. Every motor is driven by a relay already, or by a switch made to switch that much current. My driver's seat motors are switched through a memory module with relays inside of it, and the passenger seat switches switch the power to the motors directly. The only question imo is whether you should use a fuse or a breaker. The seat motors shouldn't take anywhere near 30 amps...probably under 10A in normal operation. The fuse is only there to protect the wiring in case something shorts out.
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  7. #7
    Registered Member WagonCrazy's Avatar
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    Thanks guys.

    You know you are losing it when you've gone down this road before, completely forgot about it, then did a google search and found the link IN THIS FORUM where you went all around the issue and back again.

    Sheesh...my brain is toast...

    http://www.trifivechevys.com/showthr...in-our-tri-5-s
    1957 Nomad- LS1/T56 on C4 chassis
    1959 Fleetside Apache 1/2 ton, shortbed, big window, 327ci.

  8. #8
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    One thing you may want to consider WC is where you are connecting to power. If the power is switched (eg by the ignition switch), you may want to use a relay to limit the current handled by the switch. Dick

  9. #9
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    I'm pretty sure every car I have has the power seats wired hot all the time. I'm going to use a 30A breaker that is fed straight from the battery to power my seats. I already have enough relays as it is .
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  10. #10
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    Richard, you bring up a point that goes beyond the seats. Cnut is correct that most OEM seats are wired hot to the battery though.

    It's a good idea to use a relay to power all the "key on" functions. It reduces electrical load on the ignition switch. This includes EFI functions if you have that.

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