Flex Bed powered up w/ Charger Socket Panel

[ADKjake]

Like to see that when you're done with it...

Thank you, Tim. No more P.C. bullshit. When I said Amazon, that was code for CHEAP CHINESE GARBAGE. Do yourself a favor and do a bit of research. Even if it's made in the same factory, the BSS one is going to be better.

https://www.bluesea.com/contact
https://linkstyle.com/pages/about-us

Will post what I come up with!

As far as shopping for these items I did look at the Blue Sea Systems and even they have some reviews of items just falling apart, and doing a lot of 12v wiring in the past I'm actually very impressed with the quality of this "knock-off". I shop by most positive reviews since 99% these items are manufactured in the same area, but if I were to purchase an item of more complex nature such as Lowrance gps and sonar stuff(one of the parent companies of Blue Sea), I would go name brand.

Also, installing in project box and not cutting into my cubby except to thread the wire through the top because If I want to modify this later I don't have to worry about four 1.25" holes. So, re-doing this is not a huge concern of mine.

Let's please not get into calling people out on this forum, even just any level of aggressiveness is just not needed, everyone can be right and everyone can be wrong and make mistakes, help each-other, as I see so many people hyped for each-other on this forum even for silly, ridiculous things. Not to be a "teacher" but what would have been wrong with "I personally would have went with Blue Seas Systems, just in case it's a bit better built and prevent future issues"... . I do still appreciate your input and I personally read it as above and do need reminders that cheapest isn't always best.

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[Sea48!]

Thank you, Tim. No more P.C. bullshit. When I said Amazon, that was code for CHEAP CHINESE GARBAGE. Do yourself a favor and do a bit of research. Even if it's made in the same factory, the BSS one is going to be better.

https://www.bluesea.com/contact
https://linkstyle.com/pages/about-us

What is that link style site? seems sketchy! and is based in the place you just called garbage?? not understanding your aggression ?

 

[tom_tucker]

What is that link style site? seems sketchy! and is based in the place you just called garbage?? not understanding your aggression ?

1. I never called the place "China" garbage. All I said was Amazon sells a lot cheap stuff made in China.

2. Blue Sea is surely also made in China, but likely built to a much better spec. Many quality electronics are produced in China, but so are many cheap ones.

3. I provided 2 links. One for Blue Sea, one for Linkstyle, which was the brand the OP installed. I'm suggesting not to buy a $16 unit from LInkstyle. Find something better.

4. I first installed a cheap 12v and had problems with it that took my time an effort. Blown Maverick fuses, even a silly trip to the Ford dealer. I had to uninstall it, buy and install the Blue Sea one. Lots of wasted effort, hence the warning.

 

[Sea48!]

1. I never called the place "China" garbage. All I said was Amazon sells a lot cheap stuff made in China.

2. Blue Sea is surely also made in China, but likely built to a much better spec. Many quality electronics are produced in China, but so are many cheap ones.

3. I provided 2 links. One for Blue Sea, one for Linkstyle, which was the brand the OP installed. I'm suggesting not to buy a $16 unit from LInkstyle. Find something better.

4. I first installed a cheap 12v and had problems with it that took my time an effort. Blown Maverick fuses, even a silly trip to the Ford dealer. I had to uninstall it, buy and install the Blue Sea one. Lots of wasted effort, hence the warning.

Sounds like you got burned by a bad product before, thanks for sharing the link to one that worked for you. Will look into the brand once my Maverick is in my possession! Hope you are enjoying your Maverick .

 

[LaVernWinston]

It's bizarre the someone would take the time to install an Amazon cheap-o.

4. I first installed a cheap 12v and had problems with it that took my time an effort. Blown Maverick fuses, even a silly trip to the Ford dealer. I had to uninstall it, buy and install the Blue Sea one. Lots of wasted effort, hence the warning.

The irony here. No need to act all high and mighty if you've done the exact thing that you're criticizing. Besides, it's very possible you could've screwed something up. Plenty of people using these units without issue.

 

[TheWizziard]

Very nice. I just bought a driver's side cubby when it gets here I am going to look at measuring up a cutout to support a small inverter in it then maybe add one of these in line before it to keep it off when I don't want it.

Nice Idea but please note. If your going to use the existing 12v FlexBed power point the maxim inverter you can use is about 180 watt.

 

[Maverickman74]

Nice Idea but please note. If your going to use the existing 12v FlexBed power point the maxim inverter you can use is about 180 watt.

Ohh yeah, thinking more about having a small battery in the fender charged by solar and/orthe 12v.

 

[tom_tucker]

Sounds like you got burned by a bad product before, thanks for sharing the link to one that worked for you. Will look into the brand once my Maverick is in my possession! Hope you are enjoying your Maverick .

If I had to do it again, I'd get the blank 4 hole square panel and wire it myself so I could have the voltmeter. The voltmeter is the only thing missing from my Blue Sea 4363, which is also listed in the below link. Blue Sea doesn't make 4 hole square panels (they fit nicely in the cubby), so I understand why the OP went with the cheaper Amazon option.

https://powerwerx.com/panel-mounts#?sortId=10

 

[TheWizziard]

Great minds think alike! I did the same thing and it was a real pain getting those cigarette plugs to slip behind the metal bed, but it’s worth it!

The trick is to get plugs that have screws on the face so you can install it with the cubbie in place.

 

[ADKjake]

One thing about the setup is that some forum posts on here reported the flexbed stays on for 90 minutes then shuts off, but it in fact turns off as soon as the truck key is turned off of acc mode.

I have a bunch of dewalt 20v batteries that i'm going to get an adapter for so when im just tooling around in the back and dont mind leaving the keys in its hooked to the flexbed system then for camping and such I can deplete my 20v batteries to run my truck cap lights and have no worries about any car battery depletion.

Also! I thought of this the other day, a perfect housing for an inverter near the back would be in the panel on the tail gate (depending on the size of the inverter).

 

[TheWizziard]

One thing about the setup is that some forum posts on here reported the flexbed stays on for 90 minutes then shuts off, but it in fact turns off as soon as the truck key is turned off of acc mode.

I have a bunch of dewalt 20v batteries that i'm going to get an adapter for so when im just tooling around in the back and dont mind leaving the keys in its hooked to the flexbed system then for camping and such I can deplete my 20v batteries to run my truck cap lights and have no worries about any car battery depletion.

Also! I thought of this the other day, a perfect housing for an inverter near the back would be in the panel on the tail gate (depending on the size of the inverter).

I have the hybrid. I installed the inverter behind the back seat and connected it directly to the battery. I wired an outlet in the passenger side cubbie. (post #24)

 

[ADKjake]

I have the hybrid. I installed the inverter behind the back seat and connected it directly to the battery. I wired an outlet in the passenger side cubbie. (post #24)

I think I may do an inverter in the end, one that has a low voltage shutoff. I don't plan to use a big inverter or a lot of power but its nice to have peace of mind with the auto shutoff.

What inverter did you go with?

 

[TheWizziard]

I think I may do an inverter in the end, one that has a low voltage shutoff. I don't plan to use a big inverter or a lot of power but its nice to have peace of mind with the auto shutoff.

What inverter did you go with?

Renogy 1000w Pure Sine Wave
I liked the hard wire output and the remote control input.

I plan to connect the remote input to a relay operated off an "ACC" on fuse or the "start" circuit if I can find a connection to the start circuit.

By connecting the remote "ON" to the start circuit my inverter should operate until I run out of gasoline.

 

[Deleted member 5749]

45 minute install
1.25 hole saw
wire

I just mounted mine on the access panel on the driver's side but I haven't wired it yet. Dumb question: which of the wires is pos/neg? Assuming the black is negative but I don't want to assume.

45 minute install
1.25 hole saw
wire

I mounted mine on the passenger side access panel but haven't wired it yet. Dumb question: which wire is positive/negative? I would assume its the black one but I prefer not to assume.

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