Bed lighting with magnetic tailgate switch installed

[Dean S]

Just picked up my Maverick Thursday and have been working on it since, mostly projects inspired by this forum. I've seen other bed lighting setups here but none with a magnetic switch connected to a relay, initially I wasn't planning on using a relay until getting the switch. Seeing the thin gauge wire, then reading reviews of them burning out from this application because too much current. So far very happy with how it's working, other than the odd behavior of the power timeout to the flexbed pigtail.

Magnetic switch positioned next to cutout for tailgate wiring, a rare earth magnet is positioned inside the tailgate to trigger when closed (got the idea from a post on this forum)

3D printed cover plate with hole for switch, painted black for better color match than the ASA plastic I printed. Found a STL file on Thingaverse but it wasn't even close to fitting so I started from scratch

Had the back of the truck opened up less than 24 hours after bringing it home

I made up a wiring diagram for future reference and to keep everything straight in my head. I'm not an electrician so it might not follow drawing conventions but makes sense to me.

This is the relay all wired up, I installed it in the cavity behind the taillight, bolted through an existing hole. I'm considering changing the power point timeout in forescan to keep the power on longer but haven't decided yet.

Items used:

LED light strips: https://a.co/d/4cIY7pG
Illuminated switch: https://a.co/d/7ssUuFs
Magnetic switch: https://a.co/d/20JsUo4
Magnet: https://a.co/d/5yM0xg1
Relay: https://a.co/d/dhyirhQ
Wire connectors: https://a.co/d/bYipA5g
Wire: https://a.co/d/c1SMuMJ
Wire loom: https://a.co/d/atY8DBH
Zip ties: https://a.co/d/8pENj8J
Heat shrink tubing: https://a.co/d/e0AvYhT
Liquid electrical tape: https://www.harborfreight.com/4-fl-oz-liquid-electrical-tape-36821.html

Some of these things I had from other projects, others I bought to have extra for future projects, certainly don't need to buy the whole list for this project. I will say that I was not very impressed with the quality of the waterproof connectors and probably wouldn't use them again.

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[campngolf]

Very impressive.

 

[Peter Lukasch]

Nice job, and a
clear wiring diagram

 

[Breathe2112]

This is so awesome, would you be able to post parts list?

 

[Dean S]

This is so awesome, would you be able to post parts list?

Sure, I just updated my original post.

 

[BoboysTruck]

That looks awesome and clean install. One question though, is the relay necessary?

 

[Dean S]

That looks awesome and clean install. One question though, is the relay necessary?

I've seen installs without it and initially wasn't planning on using it but when reading the reviews of the magnetic switch people had them burning out as they're designed for very small loads, probably less than an amp. From what I remember the wires to it were only 24gauge or so. I decided to play it safe and use the relay to avoid future problems.

 

[BoboysTruck]

Thanks for the info.
I've got my bed lighting wired with a switch but I'm going to mod it with a mercury switch so it comes on as well when I open the tail gate.

 

[Dean S]

Thanks for the info.
I've got my bed lighting wired with a switch but I'm going to mod it with a mercury switch so it comes on as well when I open the tail gate.

How are you powering the lights now? I'm finding the behavior of the flexbed pigtail maddening, needing the key in ignition, forescan changes didn't help, looking for ideas.

 

[BoboysTruck]

Just using the flexbed pigtail for now and yes, it's frustrating at times.

 

[Breathe2112]

Sure, I just updated my original post.

Thank you so much!!! My maverick is “In production” so I’m starting to order more pets for projects

 

[Dean S]

Thank you so much!!! My maverick is “In production” so I’m starting to order more pets for projects

I know the feeling, I had over a year to plan projects. I had the wiring mostly done before I had the truck which I only got a few weeks ago. I took a few days off and got almost everything I wanted done, I have another post about it. The truck is worth the wait IMO, love it.

 

[Dean S]

I thought I should post an update to this with the changes I made to my setup. I decided to add a battery that can power the lights when the key is not in the ignition as well as a 12v-12v charger to keep it topped off. Having to have the key in the ignition for the lights to work was really annoying and as I've had deep sleep issues already without the lighting I didn't want to draw on the trucks 12v battery. So far I'm really happy with the setup though it was definitely more involved than I originally intended when I started.

Battery in cubby, foam blocks to wedge in place

Harness with 12v-12v charger

Battery: https://a.co/d/bOIJ60h
Charger:https://a.co/d/5DG79l8

 

[KSC Grey Ghost]

Man Dean it looks great you sure did a lot of work Woo . . Makes me fill like I cheated I bought two LED license plate lights , mounted them on the back corners of the bed and tapped into the existing LED light in the bed . They come on when I open the tailgate or when I turn on the existing LED switch . Cost me 12 Dollars .

 

[Dean S]

Man Dean it looks great you sure did a lot of work Woo . . Makes me fill like I cheated I bought two LED license plate lights , mounted them on the back corners of the bed and tapped into the existing LED light in the bed . They come on when I open the tailgate or when I turn on the existing LED switch . Cost me 12 Dollars .

That looks like a great solution, unfortunately I have an XL so no existing light to tie into. That would certainly be a lot cheaper and easier, mine evolved into quite a project.

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