12v Bed Outlet Install Write-Up

Hello,

Ran across your thread while searching for ideas for 12v power to the bed of the truck.

How did you wire your rocker switch to turn USB/Voltage meter on/off? I also want to have these accessories off since I don't want them drawing power from battery overnight.

The current plan:

-4 gauge wire from battery with 100A circuit breaker to the bed of the truck where it will connect to a 6 circuit fuse block with negative bus.
-12 volt accessory port (cig lighter)
-4.2A dual USB plug
-Voltage meter

 

The rocker switch is inline to the USB and voltage meter.
Basically:
subPanel(+ 3Amp) > Rocker > USB/Voltage
subPanel(-) > USB/Voltage

If I were to do it again, i wouldn't put in a USB, I'd put in 2x 12v power ports and use a cig->USB adapter. That way you can upgrade later easily (and I find myself wanting 2 power and rarely use the USB).

 

OP, where did you find a good grounding point near the back of the bed?

 

Didn't end up grounding in the back, I ran two 10 gauge wires (POS and NEG) straight to the battery (with a 40 amp fuse on the POS at the battery).

 

Great install and write up!

How did you drill into the bed for the outlets? Did you use a hole saw?

I'm doing this myself and actually have the wires routed from the battery ready to go and was wondering where to put the fuse box. Was originally thinking of inside the cubby but was having second thoughts and saw this thread.

Also, is there risk of water corroding the fusebox at that location? Has it held up these few years?

Thanks!

 

I used a forstner bit. I like them better than hole saws.
I placed the fuse box on the outside of the cubby (between the cubby and the 110v) mounted to the side of the cubby. It's high enough that I've never had any water issues or corrosion since installed.

Traded the truck in last week, so now get to do it again on the new rig.

 

Cool, Thanks. I have some forstner bits but I think they are for woodworking. What kind of forstner did you use to drill into the bed? I've tried my forstner on plastic and they didn't work too well which is why I'm drilling into this ( so to speak ).

 

I put my fuse box inside the cubby to provide it a bit of protection and installed the outlets in the cubby door, which is replaceable. I marked the holes and pre-drilled the center w 1/16th bit, then used a paddle bit. Worked well.

 

The bed itself is more like fiberglass than plastic. Using the cubby is nice if you don't mind losing the storage space.
If I had to do it again (and will soon) I'd dump the USB and voltage and just have 3 12v ports.

 

Thanks Guys, I'll have to think about which way to go. The advantage of outside is that routing wires becomes easier while with inside the cubby you'd have to drill a hole to accommodate new wires as needed.

 

Correct - i did have to drill a hole in the side of the cubby, which also seems to be more fiberglass than plastic. I ran two 8ga wires inside of 3/4" convoluted tubing to protect it, so I drilled a 1/2" hole. When the tubing was compressed a bit it made a tight fit, and I used a zip-tie around it on the inside of the cubby to prevent it from falling out.

 

Great write up!
I'm going to do something along these lines but I'm going to do a 12VDC terminals for a compressor so I don't have to pop the hood every time I might need it. Heavy duty switch with a in-line fuse.
I might even put some bed lights in the side cubby.

 

How did you run your wire from the battery to the bed? What route did you take? Looks awesome

 

i have decided to do the same thing generally speaking. i am going to put in a 12V outlet, USB charger and Bed lighting. i have decided to go with a pin switch for when i open my hard top bed cover, the lights will come on. they are cheap on Amazon.

i have opted for #12 wire to allow for voltage drop and to allow myself some wiggle room if i wanted to run my air compressor and forget to turn something off, etc.

i like how you accessed the bed using the storage pocket. i want to do that, but cant figure out how to get the pocket out of its place. it looks like it wants to pop out with a butter knife wedged in there. how did you do that?

 

I'm also doing something similar so this thread is great, thanks for the writeups! Super pumped about the idea to mount the fuse block on the outside of the cubby, that's going to make wiring so much easier.

Has anybody found a good place to ground to in the back? At this point I've only got enough wire for a + feed from the battery.

 

Have you had any issues with the fuse panel getting dirty where you have it mounted?

 

My thoughts exactly. Curious on this....

 

Currently planning on doing something similar. I have seen OP post that he just ran an inline fused wire straight to the battery, while some people are running a 100amp breaker, and am curious as to the advantage or the larger breaker. In the bed I will be running a dedicated plug for my ARB fridge wired to the fuse 6 spot fuse block, as well as one of these Amazon panels that has a standard 12v cigarette plug a couple USB plugs, voltage meter, and rocker switch. I will also be running a diesel heater, likely plugged into the cigarette lighter while running overnight. Looking to see what size wire I should be running to my battery(which is a 27 group X2 power from Batteries Plus). Also, if the 100amp breaker is overkill and I am fine to run fused wire, and if so, what size fuse should be inline going from the fuse panel in the bed to the battery. Thanks all!

 

Bravo OP! Thank you!

 

I gotta say your setup is hands down the most clean, and thorough one I've seen so far. Basically I see that you have the fuse panel in the rear attached to your outlet obviously, but since I'm new to all of this wiring stuff I want to ensure I don't screw anything up. Basically my question is what exactly do you have attached to what, if you have the patience could you please break it down like you were explaining it to a toddler, lol. (degrading to myself I know, but I really don't wanna see my lovely rig up in a pile of smoke and ash). And secondly with this set up would you be able to install the DECKED system in the back and still have access to the outlets? Thank you for your time good sirs.