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

[MichaelG]

I've used both and I like these better. You can disconnect the splice without opening up the compression piece.
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Terminals-Self-stripping-Insulated-Disconnects/dp/B07CP987BN/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3EC7PF1KVMXRQ&keywords=wire+splicers&qid=1707521034&sprefix=wire+splicers,aps,113&sr=8-4&th=1

Excellent! Those ScotckLok splicers are garbage. Nice work!

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[brandless]

Here’s the result of my bed lights install with a on/off button and magnetic switch that turns the lights on when you open the bed. The project was slightly challenging with cutting and crimping the wires in many different places and running one of the wires underneath the truck. Having a good design blueprint was super helpful. The end result works great but I noticed that after a heavy rain the lights don’t come on for a day or so, not sure what part is getting wet. Also, the 12v goes out after ~30 min so if you open the trunk before starting the truck the lights don’t come on. Overall the lights look great and are super useful, but not the easiest of mods.

Update:
Here are the parts I used to build the bedlight and switch setup.

lights: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-TR-0...Z4uVSn2Inp-JZHZ_CzjvkyeMxng0Ch_BoCwN4QAvD_BwE

magnetic switch: https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...iDTq9g3q3dHjZb8ghbw-CKRRkYY3yhbBoCI3UQAvD_BwE

butt splice connectors: https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Terminals-Electrical-Connector-Assortment/dp/B06XRCJCHP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PEUCSK86TL09&keywords=butt+splice&qid=1707523710&s=electronics&sprefix=butt+splice,electronics,119&sr=1-4

Shrink wrap: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Ins...2&psc=1&mcid=2798a81db8393e1bbbb58e5443fcc2df

wire gripper/stripper: https://www.amazon.com/WGGE-Profess...rSvtT55DEfS1I24P5LfVPYfwuZvQaAkhoC2gEQAvD_BwE

on/off button: https://www.amazon.com/Latching-But...15-b19f-4616071c20a2&pd_rd_i=B076GVZ56B&psc=1

I'm in the middle of a similar project, I just need to run the wiring more permanently under the bed.
I use the magnetic switch to turn off the lights when the bed is closed to keep from draining the battery if I forget to turn them off. I wasn't sure if the magnetic switch could handle the power draw of the lights so I used a mosfet switch I had laying around.

 

[TacoTanium]

That's a great idea, I was also planning on using magnetic switch for other things too.

If your engine isn't running how long do you think it will stay on before the battery drain protection kicks in (I think this would be the acc. mode)?

 

[Z06]

A bed rug would change your life lol

 

[Dean S]

I did pretty much the same thing but the flexbed pigtails cutting power when the key was out of the ignition drove me nuts. I ended up adding a battery in one of the bed cubby's which charges via a breakaway battery charger when the truck is on, so far so good. Also won't be contributing to my deep sleep issues.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...c-tailgate-switch-installed.37922/post-697513

 

[RichardCranium]

I did pretty much the same thing but the flexbed pigtails cutting power when the key was out of the ignition drove me nuts. I ended up adding a battery in one of the bed cubby's which charges via a breakaway battery charger when the truck is on, so far so good. Also won't be contributing to my deep sleep issues.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...c-tailgate-switch-installed.37922/post-697513

I think you gave me the idea to use a battery with the breakaway charger. I am going to do that, but I am going to use a wireless switch with a key fob. I may add the magnetic switch as well. Lots to think about! Thanks Op for the great post!

 

[RDRahn]

I did something similar a while back. Here's a link to the post...

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...-lighting-cheap-and-easy-mod.8335/post-580896

 

[Luthinator]

Just updated the original post with the parts I used. Fairly cheap but effort is required.

Oh sweet. Thank you.

 

[Deweyordeweynot]

Dammit, now there's ANOTHER thing for my 'make it so' list! (seriously though, thanks. I know I'm going to want lighting back there in addition to the insufficient stock lights)

 

[GHeine27]

All that work and no bed mats / liner? You savage

update! Bedrug finally came after some unknown issue with ford accessories.

 

[Craiger9131]

Here’s the result of my bed lights install with a on/off button and magnetic switch that turns the lights on when you open the bed. The project was slightly challenging with cutting and crimping the wires in many different places and running one of the wires underneath the truck. Having a good design blueprint was super helpful. The end result works great but I noticed that after a heavy rain the lights don’t come on for a day or so, not sure what part is getting wet. Also, the 12v goes out after ~30 min so if you open the trunk before starting the truck the lights don’t come on. Overall the lights look great and are super useful, but not the easiest of mods.

Update:
Here are the parts I used to build the bedlight and switch setup.

lights: https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-TR-0...Z4uVSn2Inp-JZHZ_CzjvkyeMxng0Ch_BoCwN4QAvD_BwE

magnetic switch: https://www.amazon.com/Directed-Ele...iDTq9g3q3dHjZb8ghbw-CKRRkYY3yhbBoCI3UQAvD_BwE

butt splice connectors: https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Terminals-Electrical-Connector-Assortment/dp/B06XRCJCHP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1PEUCSK86TL09&keywords=butt+splice&qid=1707523710&s=electronics&sprefix=butt+splice,electronics,119&sr=1-4

Shrink wrap: https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Ins...2&psc=1&mcid=2798a81db8393e1bbbb58e5443fcc2df

wire gripper/stripper: https://www.amazon.com/WGGE-Profess...rSvtT55DEfS1I24P5LfVPYfwuZvQaAkhoC2gEQAvD_BwE

on/off button: https://www.amazon.com/Latching-But...15-b19f-4616071c20a2&pd_rd_i=B076GVZ56B&psc=1

 

[GHeine27]

I did pretty much the same thing but the flexbed pigtails cutting power when the key was out of the ignition drove me nuts. I ended up adding a battery in one of the bed cubby's which charges via a breakaway battery charger when the truck is on, so far so good. Also won't be contributing to my deep sleep issues.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...c-tailgate-switch-installed.37922/post-697513

Thanks for sharing the battery and charger idea! My lights initially worked for 30ish minutes after the truck was off, but recently only work when the truck is on. Going to add the battery and charger like you did so I don't have to be annoyed by the power limitations. Do the lights come on at all times now even after the truck has been off for a while? any issues?

I saw your post with the updated diagram, super helpful, but what did you do with the blue wire from the charger? Looks like it's for a breakaway switch, so I'm assuming it doesn't need to be connected to anything.

 

[Dean S]

Do the lights come on at all times now even after the truck has been off for a while?

Lights come on whenever I open the tailgate regardless of how long the truck has been sitting. If I were doing it again I might pick a little larger of a battery for more capacity since there is plenty of room but so far capacity has not been an issue.

I believe the breakaway charger is basically just a diode that lets the power from the truck charge the battery but doesn't let the battery backfeed the truck. Charging speed is probably similar to trickle charger.

So far I'm happy with this setup, couldn't stand needing the key in the truck to have lights.

 

[GHeine27]

Lights come on whenever I open the tailgate regardless of how long the truck has been sitting. If I were doing it again I might pick a little larger of a battery for more capacity since there is plenty of room but so far capacity has not been an issue.

I believe the breakaway charger is basically just a diode that lets the power from the truck charge the battery but doesn't let the battery backfeed the truck. Charging speed is probably similar to trickle charger.

So far I'm happy with this setup, couldn't stand needing the key in the truck to have lights.

Same here, I pretty much only use the lights when the truck is off so this setup will be perfect. Thanks for the idea. Just to confirm, did you leave the blue wire loose and not spliced into the circuit?

 

[Dean S]

Just to confirm, did you leave the blue wire loose and not spliced into the circuit?

Correct

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