Wiring Through Steering Column

[WiltshireTouring]

Absolutely, if it was a mid-40s open top MG it could be considered but a smoke coughing ZT of the noughties deserves a bit of 21st Century love

[Lee T]

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

Well as mentioned the rotary coupler is designed to handle signal currents. I had one apart a couple of years ago and the ribbon was very thin, so it's good news - the coupler will probably contribute more to the steering wheel heating than your elements, before it gives up the ghost.

Hi Mike,
As I have not had one apart, I can only imagine. Could it be possible to add a thicker wire to the ribbon?
Mabey glue it at spaced points along the length and attach to the spare pins, or add new pins if required. That's assuming it can be disassembled enough to lay out the ribbon and be reassembled afterwards .

Lee.

[Mike Noc]

From what I remember Lee they are clipped together and split easily enough. You can then straighten the ribbon out and coil it back when you are finished. As to modifying it, there isn't much space available to add any wires and anything added will be far stiffer than the ribbon which might cause problems. One other thought - the airbag wiring also goes through the coupler so if it overheated and melted the ribbon you could in theory trigger the airbag. In the event of a short circuit in your heating element the fuse you use will probably take a higher current than the coupler ribbon and if it does the ribbon will act as the fuse and burn out.

[Lee T]

Thanks Mike. As Laurence is attempting a Good Mod, especially if you live in northern England. If anyone with helpful knowledge would be kind enough to post suggestions as to how this can be achieved, I will use my coupler and attempt my method, or a variation if anyone has any better ideas. Heated steering wheels for all sounds good doesn't it boys Get ya thinking caps on.

Lee.

[WiltshireTouring]

Originally Posted by Lee T

Thanks Mike. As Laurence is attempting a Good Mod, especially if you live in northern England. If anyone with helpful knowledgeable would be kind enough to post suggestions as to how this can be achieved, I will use my coupler and attempt my method, or a variation if anyone has any better ideas. Heated steering wheels for all sounds good doesn't it boys Get ya thinking caps on.

Lee.

I would like to be a trend setter for sure

Having a Kia as a daily is a bit of a spoil when it comes to factory specs

How does the clock spring open? It looks like there are four inner clips?

[Mike Noc]

Originally Posted by WiltshireTouring

So I am halfway through a plan to install a heated steering wheel.

I've got the wiring from the battery sorted and I've already got the wheel retrimmed with heated elements in and tested it's all working.

Just out of interest what size fuse are you using for the element?

[WiltshireTouring]

Think it came as standard with a 15A fuse, I also have a 60A fuse on the mainline from the battery as a precaution.

I have been revisiting this today and am currently on the thinking of having a curly 12v cable within the steering wheel to allow for rotation.

[Mike Noc]

Just checked to see if I had the old broken coupler to test it for you but sadly it's been thrown out. I would have shorted the two cruise wires together and fed them with a 12 volt supply from a battery via a 15 amp fuse. As long as the fuse blew you would be good to go, but I'd expect the cables to overheat, which would not be a fail safe circuit in the car.