DiamondBack Cover Bed lighting Solution

I've tested out a few different solutions for lighting up the bed while both sides of the cover were closed and the solutions that exists weren't bright enough for me.

I made this solution that lights up my bed with the cover closed and it lights up the entire bed front to back .

It's utilizes 2 KC cyclones with my own wiring harness using XT-60 connectors and a li-on battery.

It's been in the bed installed since July of last year and has been functioning perfectly since. The battery can be removed and recharged as well.

Here is a photo of the bed covered and the lighting solution on.

If you are local I can demo the light system for you.

I wanted to offer this solution to other members who have been looking for a lighting solution if you own the diamond back cover.

Full Set up : $135 shipped ( Wiring Harness , 2 KC Cyclones , 6000mah Li-0n Battery)

 

@Bannerman

 

I have lights!

 

Do you have photos of the bed with items put on top of the wheel well? When I tried this solution it always blocked light to the middle of the bed.

 

I dont have a picture but you can see that you would have to block 14 linear feet of light to not get light to the middle of the bed.

 

Here is a thread with a billion pictures.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-waterproof-under-bed-rail-led-lights-3rd-gen.391380/

 

Not at all trying to knock your solution, this just seems to make a lot more sense and has worked for me. I dont sell these products or have a dog in this fight at all.

 

Maybe it's just me and my age but I didn't like the amount of light other solutions had.

When I didn't have a cover on the bed I was lighting up the back of the truck bed with baja designs s2 sports.

When I put the cover on I wanted that same amount of coverage along with as much light as possible . With the two cyclones that's over 1000 lumens just for the bed.

 

I've created another wiring solution for forum member. Put a sleeve over everything to make for a clean looking install .

 

Can this kit be use for other brand software or hard tonneau cover or is it only for the Diamond Back?

 

What cover were you interested on using this on ?

 

I got a soft top American Tonneau Company.

 

Why use an external battery instead of using truck battery?

 

If I used the truck battery then I would need a wire that would have to be long enough to reach from the cover to where ever I drilled a hole in my bed and then go all the way to the battery. This way everything is on the cover and I can open and close it without having a wire in the way .

Also this is a not permanent install on the cover and makes it portable. Everything is held onto the cover with 3m Velcro which allows me to take it on and off over and over. . I can take these lights off my truck cover and use them at camp to light up the cooking area.

 

Is there a hard metal or plastic surface you can adhere a velcro strip onto ? I can't tell from the photo. If so it can be installed.

The light output might not be as good as the diamond back because due to the reflective aluminum on the back side the light just reflects and skaters throughout the entire bed.

 

There are metal support beams where the fold is when tri folded up. So a total of 2 metal support beams.

 

How do u charge it?

 

The lithium Ion battery comes with a charger.

I take it off my cover and charge it at home and the next morning take it and put it back on the cover.

With a 6000mah battery that gives you 5 hours of run time on the LED's before you reach about 20% charge which is when you should charge the battery.

I don't use my bed lights in that manner though. When i'm coming home after a fishing trip or camping. I turn on the lights and unload everything out of the bed and turn it off which is no more than 5 to 10 minutes.

In the past 6 months I've only had to charge the battery 3 times. 1 time was because I forgot to turn the light off.

 

That would work. the two KC cyclones and the battery would be held onto those pieces utilizing velcro strips.

In the photo with the KC lights installed the member wanted to purchase the lights from me as well so It would be a simple plug ,velcro and play install.

 

Curious as to why you want it lit up while closed.