A Few ?? about a LED Bedlight Install

Hi,

I want to add lighting to my camper shell in a project similar to this one- http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/243738-bed-lights.html . The difference is I want to add a momentary switch, activated by my liftgate, between the on/off switch and the LED strip. I'm not quite sure how this would be wired, or if I would need a relay or not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bill

 

Did anyone help you with this yet?

 

Depending on how you want them wired and where you pull power from, you could most likely get away without using a relay. The circuit would need to be fuse protected whether it's got it's own fuse or you piggy back off an existing circuit. LED's typically have a very low draw so the power should be fine going through the switch.

In stead of a momentary switch, I'd look for a door latch switch, similar to what cycles your dome light to come on when your door is opened. I'd install it so that when the tailgate is closed, the switch is in an open position meaning no power can get through. Then, when the tailgate is open, the switch closes the circuit and the light comes on.

 

I was going to use an NC momentary switch to activate the bed lights when the lift glass on my Leer topper was opened.

The door ajar switch is a good idea-I didn't think of that. I found these, I think one will work- http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Door-Jamb-Switch/_/N-9ciqb

I plan to run a wire to the cab and then into a fuse tap, so it will be fused.

Bill

 

I believe you have the correct definition of a momentary switch, the one I mentioned is a different kind of switch. The only momentary switches I've ever heard of are resetting rocker switches or resetting push button switches but they don't really accomplish the task in this case.

Just an option but you could try contacting Mach1Man001. He got ahold of a nice, sealed door latch style switch like the one I was talking about. It has a rubber boot and everything for a contact surface. Tell him I told you to ask and he should be able to tell you what it came out of so you can locate one.

 

Dammit Ben, you're right again :shakesfist:

 

OK, so I'm looking at these door switches, and I'm only seeing a few that have just two connectors. A lot have one connector or 3 connectors or
obviously take an OEM plug. I did find these and think they'll work-
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...oc=Rear&intcmpid=Product+Listings+Best+Seller
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Standard/Door_Jamb_Switch/SIDS856.html .

I did see some booted switches like this- http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Standard/Door_Jamb_Switch/SIDS857.html?loc=Front%2C+Passenger+Side --but it only has one connector.

Bill

 

Your looking for a normally closed switch, when the button is not depressed, the circuit is closed, meaning on.

 

I finished my LED install on my camper shell and thought I'd post a few photos here of the installed lights and switches.

A couple of photos of the momentary switch being used to activate the lights with the lift gate. I used angle brackets from Home Depot to configure the mount for the switch. It mounts to the window frame using an existing screw. Minor adjustments can be mad by slightly bending the mount.





This shows the wiring coming through an existing hole from the taillight and along the tailgate weather stripping. The ground is threaded through the weather stripping. It also shows the main cut-off switch mounted at the base of the shell.



Finally, a finished shot of the lights. I used a 16' weatherproof strip of 300 5050 LEDs. I made a full perimeter run and ended up with about 1' left over. This is a shortbed shell.



I ran the power wire from the cab fuse box using a fuse tap and low voltage landscape wire for durability.

All in all, a pretty easy mod, and it makes a huge difference at night when digging around in my truck bed.

Bill

 

Great looking project and pics. I'm not looking to put a top on my bed (yet), but I have thought about adding LED's to the bed right under the rails for lighting. This gave me some good ideas on how to install them and be able to active with the tailgate (similair to opening the doors). Thanks!

 

Can you provide some pictures and info on how you taped into the fuse box as well as how you ran the wires from the bed into the cabin?

I am looking to run LED bed lights soon but I am trying to do my homework before taking on such a project. My first concern is getting from the cabin switch to the bed. And my other concern is whether I can pull power from the fuse box or whether I need to run a wire to the battery? (Obviously it would be easier and cleaner to get it from the fuse box.) Also curious on how/where you grounded? (Can you ground from the fuse box too?)

What year is your Tacoma as well? (I am working with a new 2013 here.)

Thanks for any info you or anyone on the forum can provide!

 

I used an add-a-circuit ( http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=071-580 ) in an empty slot in my under-dash fuse block. I used a circuit tester to find a slot that was hot with the key off. The slot I'm using (2002 DCB Prerunner) is the bottom slot in the middle row.

I used low voltage landscape wire (it has a heavy sheath) and followed the stock wiring loom to the back of the truck. Beneath the carpet under the driver's seat is the grommet that allows the wiring to enter the cab. You can also see it if you look under the truck by the driver's door-that's where I pulled the wire from the back into the cab.

I ran the ground wire down to an existing ground I had underneath the back of my truck. In my photos above, the blue wire running into the tailgate hole is my ground.

I don't know if that will help with your newer truck, but there it is. GL!

 

Thanks for the info, I'll let you know how it works out.

 

Hey fletch how'd your light project work out ?

My GF looked on my Amazon wish list and now I have about 30 feet of LED strip to put in my truck bed and else where. I had been thinking of the bed light but now it looks like I'm going to do under door sil lights, maybe some in the engine compartment.
I'll probably have some left over the run up the antenna too.

So what did you do ?

 

Unfortunately I haven't done anything yet with the lighting. There are so many things I want to do and so little time and money! I'd like to get a cover for the bed before putting in lights, but I desperately need to upgrade my crappy system first. Hoping to do the cover and lights within a few months.

Shoot me some pictures when your done with yours, I'd love to see!

 

I know its been a while and this is a resurrection, but I was wondering what did you use to secure the lights to the shell? If OP is not around maybe someone else can chime in? That would be great.