bed lights

[Reptar]

My bed lighting is from roundeyes.com. I tapped into the hitch plug running lights. My switch is from my rigid industries wiring harness. I'm happy with the set up. AUX usage seemed the wrong way for me to go. I like having the switch back at the tailgate.

lol what a website name. They implying they're not made in China? lol

I like the idea except that the vehicles electrics are built for a certin wattage... You should make sure you are not over working the system... So, if you have a power source and it has 20 watts available and you are using 15 and you add 7 more you are drawing 22 watts now and the lights will not be as bright and you can burn fuses or the wiring itself...

If you're on the same circuit that the trailer lights would be hooked up on, you're fine. LEDs under the bedrails are going to be drawing such little current. Especially if they're on the circuit that if you plug a trailer into, you're running all those lights off the same one.

 

[Squid 3]

Could you run a micro style switch that only activates when you drop the tailgate.
Just thinking.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Could you run a micro style switch that only activates when you drop the tailgate.
Just thinking.

When my truck gets here I'll be installing a similar set up and all you have to do is use a pin switch to activate when you open the tailgate... I'll of course document the install once I get a truck to instal stuff on.. lol

I have an absolute MOUNTAIN of stuff to put on the truck in the garage and my wife's absolutely beside herself.. /shrug

~BGM

 

[ironside]

Could you run a micro style switch that only activates when you drop the tailgate.
Just thinking.

Yea I have a friend on my other forum for my Titan that custom made led bed light kits out of two led strips and a wire harness. He had a pressure switch that shuts off the lights when shut the tailgate plus he includes a toggle in case u need to haul something with ur tailgate down

 

[Hockster]

lol what a website name. They implying they're not made in China? lol






If you're on the same circuit that the trailer lights would be hooked up on, you're fine. LEDs under the bedrails are going to be drawing such little current. Especially if they're on the circuit that if you plug a trailer into, you're running all those lights off the same one.

Ya true as long as you are not towing a trailer at the same time... I never to add to a vehicles system unless like you said its such a little draw there will be no problems...Like the SVT light tape. Its not a big draw and can be added... I always wire a relay into it...

 

[Reptar]

Ya true as long as you are not towing a trailer at the same time... I never to add to a vehicles system unless like you said its such a little draw there will be no problems...Like the SVT light tape. Its not a big draw and can be added... I always wire a relay into it...

Even if you are hooked up to a trailer, I really don't see any issues with it. You're not hooking up a light rack with 6 halogen spotter lights to run off it, you're running a few LED's in the bed. Their draw is so small I wouldn't hesitate to hook them up at all.

 

[Hockster]

Even if you are hooked up to a trailer, I really don't see any issues with it. You're not hooking up a light rack with 6 halogen spotter lights to run off it, you're running a few LED's in the bed. Their draw is so small I wouldn't hesitate to hook them up at all.

Like I said, it all depends on how much they draw... But, I can tell from being in the business for 30 years that they dont make them robust enough to just add lights or other things. There is a reason they added upfitter switches...

 

[mblgjr]

The wattage draw on that handful of LED's is minimal. Def. no need to run through a relay/upfitter switch.

The 3M kit uses 6, 1-watt LEDS. Most other kits are very similar in design/function.

So, 1 watt divided by 12 volts 1/12 = 0.083 amp per LED x 6 = 0.5 amp draw total.

You have no worries about tapping into the trailer harness for one of these kits and lighting a normal trailer lamp setup together.