Interesting VX Mystery?

[Joe_Black]

I've had the Dragon apart since changing my Sirius receivers and have been tinkering with adding a new sound system and a Nokia car kit. During all this the driver's seat has been in the back. While I had it out to do some measuring I noticed something interesting on the bottom of the seat pan. It appears to be a grille and mounting slots for a standard 4" fan, much like you'd find on a computer power supply and many other common cooling functions. The seat foam is within a 1/4" of the grille so it's unlikely useful as our seat is configured, but perhaps there was some interesting Recaro option with the line of seats we share the pan with.

Take a look at the pics and share your theories...
http://www.planetarydomination.com/images/Seatbottom.JPG

http://www.planetarydomination.com/images/Seatbottom2.JPG

[Raque Thomas]

Looks like that is the only exit point for air as you sit on the seat - but weird that they would use that, which appears (from your pictures) to be molded in, and have slot for screws to hold something (fan?) in.

[Ldub]

Just a guess, but looks like some sort of human exhaust evacuation device could have been incorporated into some models...maybe a special order? :p

Ldub

[rogue1313]

Special Taco Bell option.....when ya gotta blow it up on the go! (Good luck to the rear seat passengers though).

Or maybe if you put an amp under the seat, you can add the fan to keep things cooler?

[triton]

perhaps for lumbar-airbag to be inflated/deflated on other recaro models

[Raque Thomas]

I didn't think of this earlier - but in home building, the "industry term" for the exhaust fan in the bathroom is "fart fan". Judging by the placement of this openning, it may be an opportune placement for the road going equivalent of a "fart fan"!! ;Dy;

[AndyC]

How about the spot for the heating unit for heated seats? Just a thought.

[VCrossfan]

You all are nut's. I'm still crying from laughing. I say a place for a mini sub-woofer. One under each seat for those ground thumping PS2 Games....

[WyrreJ]

Yeah, they are called bass shakers - cheap and easy mod with very high bang-for-the-buck value:

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?WebPage_ID=222

[Joe_Black]

Some, ummm, interesting theories to be sure. Looks like I've found the answer though: It's for a vent fan to remove moisture and help keep the seat cool. Part of a full-boat option package in high-end Porsche and MB sport models.

Here's a few pics from a Porsche turbo of the $3000 set (familiar lookin' seat, eh?):

http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/dsc00597_medium.jpg

http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/dsc00596_small.jpg

http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/dsc00598_medium_copy1.jpg

If I come across some more detailed photos or info of the vent fan setup I'll post them, as it might be an easy mod for those interested. ;)

[Joe_Black]

Okay, found it on the Recaro site of all places:

http://www.recaro-nao.com/pics/streifen/knowhow/streifen_b_03_1_b.jpghttp://www.recaro-nao.com/pics/streifen/knowhow/streifen_b_03_1_c.gif

RECARO specialists have developed an environmental system patented throughout the world, in co-operation with the environmental specialists Gore: the RECARO vent® system.

With the RECARO vent® system the resultant moisture is taken through the cover fabric and a Gortex membrane into the air channels of the padding. In the interior of the seat, i.e., in the seat cushion and in the backrest, vents automatically take the moisture out through vent slots in the backrest. Thanks to the Gore Tex membrane the driver is totally unaware of this - not a single draft disturbs him.

The result: even after driving for hours in hot weather, your clothes and the seat are dry and pleasant.

The RECARO vent® system is offered in combination with a seat heater as an environmental package.
Go to the following link and click on the "Simulate the process here." text for an animated Flash diagram of the system: Recaro Vent System (http://www.recaro-nao.com/knowhow/komfort/vent_system.html)

Apparently there's two fans involved, which explains the venting in the back cover of the seats.

[VX4EJR]

ummm wow.....that is crazy but very interesting!
nice research!

[WyrreJ]

So, the seat needs to upholstered in gore-tex to make adding a fan worthwhile?

[Raque Thomas]

Sure like to get my hands on that power base for the seat and convert mine to power operation!

[MZ-N10]

So, the seat needs to upholstered in gore-tex to make adding a fan worthwhile?

i dont think so...the porsche seats looks leather to me.....
________
Peak Towers Condominium Pattaya (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)

[dkmiller68]

I was reading about the RECARO Vent system and was wondering if my seat was upgradable? I have a Isuzu Vehicross that came standard with your fine seat.
Please advise.
Thanks,

Don Miller

Don,
Thanks for your e-mail. Unfortunately, there is not a vent system upgrade for OEM Recaro built seats. Your only option is to replace the whole seat with an aftermarket Recaro seat that comes with a vent system built in.

Best Regards,

Andrew Morrison
Speedware Motorsports
7509 159th Place NE
Redmond, WA 98052
425-869-5680 (p)
425-882-0799 (f)
www.speedwaremotorsports.com

[Moncha]

The Gore-tex is a membrane under the outer material. Problem is, you'd have to recover the seats to have some sort of perforation to allow for the airflow unless they do it completely by channels in the seat padding.