Led lights in bed

Im a newbie at electrical stuff. I received a led band of lights to install in the bed of my truck. I want it to only work when my headlights are on. Which wire do I splice into in my rear tail light to make this work? Thanks.

 

Are you talking about the led strip that goes in the tailgate gap?

 

No, its a strip around 10 feet long and has double back tape to go around the bed. I have a tonneau cover so its not exposed. It has a on and off switch. But I only want power to it when I have my lights are on. That way they will turn off when I turn off my lights in case I forget to turn them off. Thats why my tail lights would be perfect to splice into and in accessible to where I plan on putting them.

 

I would run power from the battery and put in a bed switch which is how I did mine. I would avoid tapping into the factory wiring whenever possible given how sensitive it's known to be.

 

Thats what I have kind of. It has a switch but I need power to it

 

So run a 12-14ga wire from a connection on your battery along the frame and up into the tail light well. That's how the recommended install goes.

 

I guess I can do that. I was trying to avoid running a wire from the battery post. So you go straight down and under the truck? I was thinking you have to go through the cab which I was trying to avoid.

 

Thanks guys

 

Yes I went from battery down through the front driver's side wheel well and straight to the frame then followed it down to the taillight

 

Pull power from the trailer connector, and wire in a pin switch that is actuated by the tailgate; that way the lights will only be on when the tailgate is open.

 

So then every time you're chilling with the tailgate open the battery is getting drained? The led strip comes with a switch you can easily mount in the bed.

 

You're gonna turn your lights on first every time you want to go and turn the bed lights on? Seems like an extra unnecessary step and if the main body ECU shuts off the headlights on you then you have to go turn them back on again to get your bed lights back.

 

No, you use both switches; the pin switch ensues that irrespective of what you do with the switch on the LED strip, power is cut when the tailgate is closed. That said, you can run that strip off of your battery for a LONGGGG time without any issues whatsoever.

 

Most of the time it would be for loading and unloading when my truck is running in the dark

 

I dont know which wire to splice into on my trailor connector

 

I ran it straight to the battery, yes its a little extra work but trust me it's worth it. Slap a inline fuse on the red wire and you're good to go. I put a waterproof switch inside the bed so i can turn it on and off whenever i want without having to turn the ignition on.

 

Fair enough, just wanted to make sure.

 

Pin 3 is your running lights, pin 4 is aux 12 v - either will work. Pin 3 will control it with the truck's running lights.