Constant 12v power to bed pigtails?

[dhill59]

I discovered the 12v pigtails in my bed are only powered while the truck is running. Anyone know how to make them hot all the time?

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[Grand Nat.]

I believe the light circuit is controlled through the BCM and is timed. Mine line stays active up to ten minutes after the key has been shut off. To be safe run a fused circuit from the battery to the bed. There are many ways to do this.

 

[dhill59]

I believe the light circuit is controlled through the BCM and is timed. Mine line stays active up to ten minutes after the key has been shut off. To be safe run a fused circuit from the battery to the bed. There are many ways to do this.

I hoping to make the factory pigtails work and not go with “old school” fixes.

 

[Grand Nat.]

I hoping to make the factory pigtails work and not go with “old school” fixes.

It's not old school. It's not a fix. It's a modification. Fords lighting circuit run through a few modules one of them is the BCM that controls everything from trailer controls to interior lamps and high beams. Unless you have the the knowledge and expertise to change that you will most likely use another method. It's possible that there might be a way to change it in the Forscan program. But am not sure. If you want to keep that circuit

live for an extended time you can switch on your tail gate lamps on your dash panel after you turn your Maverick off and the line will have voltage for at least 30 minutes.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

I discovered the 12v pigtails in my bed are only powered while the truck is running. Anyone know how to make them hot all the time?

Mine are hot all the time.

 

[ryan2366]

You could always change the time out like Pastor_Zatx did. I tried it and can confirm it works. Just have to pick a timeframe in seconds that works for you.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ts-always-hot-or-change-delay-variable.19548/

 

[dhill59]

Mine are hot all the time.

The pigtails on my 22 XL were always hot too. That might have been part of the reason the truck was always going into sleep mode. My 23 XLT has not gone into sleep mode since I’ve had it.

 

[Ranch]

I discovered the 12v pigtails in my bed are only powered while the truck is running. Anyone know how to make them hot all the time?

What are you planning on running that requires constant power?

 

[dhill59]

What are you planning on running that requires constant power?

Just some LED lights so I can see in the back. I have them set up with a magnetic switch so they come on when I drop the tailgate.

Maybe I can just use a small 12v battery and stow it in one of the cubbies.

 

[Ranch]

Just some LED lights so I can see in the back. I have them set up with a magnetic switch so they come on when I drop the tailgate.

Maybe I can just use a small 12v battery and stow it in one of the cubbies.

That's not a bad idea.

I had an old Harbor Freight jump pack that went bad and I removed the battery to power a small LED light strip over my backyard grill. The battery test's bad but can run the LED light for hours. I just charge it up when needed.

 

[Akuma72387]

Ya mine have power contant also but I don't use them for anything (I checked after seeing this post and had 12v to the lines after 10hrs.) I don't know I having something wires to them would change this when the truck recognized a draw though. But a small battery pack or maybe a deep cycle or lawnmower/motorcycle battery that fits the 12v requirement may work. Especially if y I u wired a maintainer to the factory.pig tails so it would top.off the battery as you drove.

 

[RichardCranium]

I plan on adding a small 12 volt battery as well, just need to figure out how to charge it without cycling backward. Someone mentioned using a cheap solar charger in another post, and there was this as well, but I have not had a chance to read.

I'm looking into "mini UPS" 12v ones - they are used for routers it seems. I think that would be a perfect solution to providing battery power to our bed lights to get around the power timeout (that annoyingly won't come back on with lock/unlock from the fob, as I just learned).
Bad thing -most of these get poor reviews. All I really need is one that uses 1 or 2 18650 batteries. Nothing huge or complex. Going to cost more than the Nilight bed light kit, though. Also lame.
Wish I just went with battery light strip - didn't realize the 12v pigtails hard cut out like this.

I don't know if something like this would simply work, or if a controller is required...
https://batteryint.com/products/12-...ium-battery-protection-board-12-6v-1a-charger
So something like this could be better, once spliced in? https://www.amazon.com/Konnected-Backup-Battery-Mini-UPS-7800mAh/dp/B08JTVY87T


Finally, there's:
https://www.freeform-tech.com/
This company (which I can't find any info on besides they list a US address, and Iceland - ships from EU) might have what we need - but you buy the battery module, UPS and 5v to 12v stepup. - $43 ish

Mini Modular Power Station (Fast Charging up to 4A)
Qty 1
You receive (1) Battery module (6800mAh) + Gifts:1 Power Module (2A,USB-C), 1 Power Module (1A,USB-Micro) & 2 Velcro Double Coated Straps to Attach it Everywhere! Random Colors. Non-Cancellable/Non-Returnable (“NCNR”) Product. Ships from Europe.

$14.99

Mini USB Boost Line Step Up Converter cable DC 5V to 12V
Qty 1
You receive (1) Converter Cable USB Boost Line Step Up DC 5V to 12V. Random Colors. Cancellable/Non-Returnable (“NCNR”) Product. Ships from Europe.


$11.99
Mini UPS module
Qty 1
Use your Mini Power Station as a UPS with this add-on. You receive (1) UPS module (1A, USB-Micro) Random Colors. Non-Cancellable/Non-Returnable (“NCNR”) product. Ships from Europe.

$9.99

International Shipping (5-10 business days)
$6.00
Total due$42.97

Shipping from Europe sounds better than China - lol.
Maybe I'll try it if I get annoyed enough after the next camping trip and having newly installed LED lights that won't have power after the truck has been off for 15mins.

 

[Sugarbush Bob]

I discovered the 12v pigtails in my bed are only powered while the truck is running. Anyone know how to make them hot all the time?

 

[Sugarbush Bob]

I have a '23. It times out. I turn key on and off every 20 min. In order to maintain power

 

[dhill59]

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