Fitting Digital Controls to 'Manual' Rear Heater

[Simon Jones]

The slider is either a variable resistor or a series of switch contacts. definitely no mechanical connections on the electronic version (pictured below), hence why it can't be used without the use of motorised actuators. I think there are also some relays & control circuitry required to make it all work. Extending the existing mechanical cables definitely seems do-able, but you'll probably need a solid core rather than the stranded type you get on bikes as it won't work well under compression.

[BongoBonkers]

Thanks for all help. It appears that I may be able to do what I ideally want if I can find a donor of the rear digital controller plus the gizmo at the other end of the wires that physically moves the flaps in the heating ducts. I did some work regarding extending / re-siting the original cable operated controls but found it too difficult for my poor talent quota. As others have mentioned, the cables need to work in both tension and compression and it was hard to find a suitable product but then joining the ends was just not happening. I also found the geometry of the cable route perfect as done by Mazda but it did not like being re-sited and the delicate little arms on the flaps started jumping out of their guides and then I broke a little bit of it and lost a bit down the ducting and then I smashed the garage up and set fire to it (not really but you know what I mean....it was getting frustrating)

The van works great as it is so this may be one of those little jobs I'll get around to one day and just keep my eyes open for the appropriate parts. I think it's ultimately worth doing and it'll give the kids one more set of buttons to press to delay the onset of 'are we nearly there yet?'

Thanks to all

[haydn callow]

No sliders in the back of mine....all push button digital

[missfixit70]

No sliders in the back of mine....all push button digital

Can you control the temp from the front then Haydn? What year's yours?

[haydn callow]

Dunno about the temp....will check in the morning...1995 ..but it is a special limited edition ..whatever that is.....graduated tint windscreen ..everything

[haydn callow]

No sliders in the back of mine....all push button digital

Rubbish.....get yer facts stright.....there is a single slider which "I think" controls the fan speed.
I have a button at the front marked "rear" which allows the rear to operate.

[missfixit70]

Slider controls the temp Haydn