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Hey guys
So I am looking into getting some 12v lights to light up the bed with a switch. I know I will need to wire from the battery at some point and don't know where yet. So where would I start and how would I get the wires to the bed? I have read other people's post on feeding wires along the tail lights under
/next to the fram. Wiring through the cab is where I am confused, do I need to lift up panels or the floor? Do I feed the wire on the driver side? I just want some advice before I go ripping my truck open.
Old or new 110volt extension cord wire is the best for this application, its flexible and has a bit of protection from road debris, thick outer sheath, and its usually 14 to 18 gauge so can handle up to 30amps, and it has 3 wires
Using a standard 30/40amp automotive Relay in the engine bay is best way to do this
You can have a switch in the cab using ONE smaller wire to activate the relay, so easy to run a smaller wire into cab at firewall
You need a fuse in the engine bay as well
So 12volt battery------inline fuse------relay--------------------------------------------------------------------Bed
Relay Coil has 12v all the time(from fuse), you run a small wire from Relay coil into the cab to the switch you want, and switch is then grounded to cab metal
When you turn "on" the switch the Relay coil is then grounded(in cab) and relay closes sending 12volts to bed system wiring
Most current relays in your vehicle operate this way, they have 12v all the time and are activated by Grounding from cab or computer, less wiring and safer because there are fewer 12v wires that could short out
Using a single 14gauge wire to the bed is fine as well, but I would use the Relay setup regardless, just safer
I just used three 17670 batteries to drive 12v LED strips. That way I don't have to worry about running the vehicle battery down. The holder I used will also work with the standard 18650.
Thanks guys for the help. So I don't know if I can use batteries when I deal with long winters up here in Minnesota. I was thinking of using a toggle switch by the tail gate to control the bed lights and going straight to the battery. That will allow me to turn the bed lights on when the trucks off. So any advice for hooking up a wire to the battery wire terminal or what not?
If you decide on 15-20 amp wire size then use a 15amp fuse at the battery end of the wire, MUST BE at the battery end of the wire
Always use the lower amp rating or THE WIRE becomes the fuse, you want the fuse to blow BEFORE the wire heats up and melts if there is a short
And the toggle switch must be rated for maximum amp rating, i.e. 20amps, if fuse is 15amps, or the switch becomes the fuse, lol, which is the "smoke show" and possible fire, when too many amps pass thru a switch or wires
. I had to tuck the strips behind the bed liner since it just a smidge too long. They are very helpful at night. I did use the simple switch that came in the kit and taped it to the bed liner. I didn’t think i needed to swap it for any other.
I got this simple light kit from Amazon Nilight TR-05 light kit. I had to tuck the strips behind the bed liner since it just a smidge too long. They are very helpful at night. I did use the simple switch that came in the kit and taped it to the bed liner. I didn’t think i needed to swap it for any other.
Took a look at these lights, and you mentioned tucking some behind the bed liner, you can cut some off and if you stick to the markings on the stripe lights they will work.
From the light output in your pictures, you could lose a little and not worry about it.
12-12-2021
