Bed lights with on/off button and magnetic auto on switch - my DIY

[GHeine27]

Correct

Hey Dean, thanks again for the ideas and help with the bed lights battery setup. I have an issue that I can't seem to find an answer to and was wondering if you would know the answer. I added the battery to the bed lights setup as you did about a month ago. Initially, everything was perfect and worked as expected, but recently the lights are dim when I open the tailgate and seem to range in brightness based on the day/time. The only difference in our setups is that I don't have a relay in the circuit. Do you know why the lights would be dim or not work occasionally?? I initially thought the problem was with the circuit and not having the relay in there, but the more I research I am leaning toward the battery being the source of the problem. Would this setup drain the battery that quickly? I have not done any longer drives lately which could allow the battery to be recharge from the truck's 12v. Let me know if you have had a similar issue with your setup and if you know why this may be happening. Thank you!!

Sponsored

 

[Dean S]

Hey Dean, thanks again for the ideas and help with the bed lights battery setup. I have an issue that I can't seem to find an answer to and was wondering if you would know the answer. I added the battery to the bed lights setup as you did about a month ago. Initially, everything was perfect and worked as expected, but recently the lights are dim when I open the tailgate and seem to range in brightness based on the day/time. The only difference in our setups is that I don't have a relay in the circuit. Do you know why the lights would be dim or not work occasionally?? I initially thought the problem was with the circuit and not having the relay in there, but the more I research I am leaning toward the battery being the source of the problem. Would this setup drain the battery that quickly? I have not done any longer drives lately which could allow the battery to be recharge from the truck's 12v. Let me know if you have had a similar issue with your setup and if you know why this may be happening. Thank you!!

Lack of relay wouldn't be a problem. Does your switch have illumination when off? That could drain the battery. Otherwise probably not driving enough for how much time the tailgate is open, the breakaway charger isn't very fast. Mines been working fine so far. You could test the current and see if you have a parasitic draw.

 

[GHeine27]

Lack of relay wouldn't be a problem. Does your switch have illumination when off? That could drain the battery. Otherwise probably not driving enough for how much time the tailgate is open, the breakaway charger isn't very fast. Mines been working fine so far. You could test the current and see if you have a parasitic draw.

Thanks. Yes, the switch light is on when the lights are off so it is almost always on. That could be it. I'll test the current and probably rewire the switch to be off when lights are off.

 

[Dean S]

Thanks. Yes, the switch light is on when the lights are off so it is almost always on. That could be it. I'll test the current and probably rewire the switch to be off when lights are off.

That would definitely kill the battery. I think once you rewire the switch to not have the illumination in you'll be set

 

[GHeine27]

That would definitely kill the battery. I think once you rewire the switch to not have the illumination in you'll be set

Thanks

Sponsored