12VDC Outlet in Bed

I want to install this 12VDC outlet in the bed of my truck and had a couple of questions.

What is the best tool/method to make the 1" hole in the side of the bed? I want to put it above the storage compartment on the driver side of the bed. The material seems like "sheet metal" to me, but I understand that it is some sort of composite? I don't want to screw anything up and want to get as clean of a hole as possible?

Would a AAC off of the Door Locks fuse be a reasonable place to get the 12VDC (on always)?

 

It is composite material. You can cut the hole with a hole saw, just make sure nothing is behind it before you cut.

I like this idea. Seems more useful than the AC outlet in the bed. Make it more useful by making it hot all the time.

 

Thanks for the input! I think by tapping into the Door Lock fuse with a Add-A-Circuit will provide me with 12VDC that is hot all the time. I will post my results when I get a chance to try it.

 

Depending on what you are trying to power a sperate line tapping attached at the battery with a separate fuse might be a thought, and it may/may not be easier to run the power line to the back.

 

They are super usable in the bed. 1" hole saw through the composite and then take a file and go over the edges and then mount. I wired mine directly to the second battery, so I don't know about tapping into wires in the back.

 

That is a sweet setup!

 

Nice! I like the volt meter there too. I may do that as well. Did you say that you installed a second battery? Where did you put it. I was thinking of doing that as well.

 

FWIW, I like this guy's alternate method using a project box except I would use a rare earth magnet and plate instead of velcro. The box could house a 12VDC receptacle, USB power point, and a bed light switch. It's on my list of upcoming summer projects.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/40445-LED-Task-Light-Install-Tacoma-bed

 

check out my 12v bed lights / socket link in my sig.

If your going to consider tapping a circuit in the cab, just save yourself the time, and do it proper with a home run of 10awg wire right to the battery (inline fuse just off the battery of course). No tapping of circuits needed, no need to make a hole into the cab etc etc.

 

Thanks nd4spdbh... I'll take a look at that.

 

ND4... Do you happen to have any pics of how you routed/connected the home run to the battery?

 

unfortunatly i do not. BUT

it literally follows the fuel / brake lines from the battery down the firewall, once the the fuel / brake lines meet the frame there is a main harness loom. I then followed that loom all the way back above the fuel tank to the back cubby. Routed away from anything that could cause problems / wear through the insulation and ziptied in proper places. Also grabbed a good ground from the ground on top of the frame thats pretty much just above the centerline of the rear axle driver side.

 

Thanks ND4... I'll check it out when I get home.

 

I know you want to mount it on the outside but I put mine on the inside of the cargo box to keep the weather off it on a normal basis.

 

Thanks.

Right here...

 

Thanks guys for all the inputs! This site is great. Now I just need time to get to this.

 

Heres how I put mine in the cubby, local guy made me a sweet aluminum bracket thats

$7 3m VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3m VHB taped onto the cubby.

Mine is run directly to my Aux fuse panel under the hood. I ran a harness that I made with 5 or 6 wires in wire sleeve to the rear of the truck for future expansion instead of just running them one at a time.

 

I used one of my cubby holes. 12 volt plug, double USB, switch for interior cabin lights, switch and relay for area/reverse lights on rack, and spare switch.

 

Well, I finally got around to this install. Put it on the drivers side above the cubby. I ran a home run 12VDC off of the battery (actually the 12VDC lug in the main fuse box under the hood) with an inline fuse. Got the ground off a lug on the top of the frame just behind the rear axle. I plan to add a volt meter inside the cubby later.

Thanks for all the pointers guys!

 

Did you just run everything straight to the battery? I'm installing the same usb power socket but in the back side of the center console so that passangers can charge devices! Wasn't sure if I should just run an add a fuse to somewhere or run straight to the battery.?