Alternative power source for aux lights, brainstorming

I would like to start a brainstorming session for alternative power source to power aux lights. Let me start by saying that I have a hybrid model and my battery is underneath the rear seat. Also my truck didn't come with aux switches. I have purchased an auxbeam ar600 switch control unit to control some lights that I like to ultimately buy and install, baja designs reverse lights (not purchased) and possibly some roof rack light bar (not purchase). I would like to install the ar600 to control those light and install the main brain somewhere under the hood and bring 1 line in the cab for the switches Because my battery is under the rear seat, getting positive 12v cable from battery to switch is no easy task. I started to think that since I have a ecoflow power bank delta2 in the bed there has to be a way to power that switch from the delta 2 and leave my truck battery alone. Has anyone done anything like this? I am thinking if I bought a 12v cigarettes lighter like this i can plug one end in the delta 2 and the other end on the ar600 switch. All I would need is connect the fused power to a fuse box. The questions I have, will those wires handle the amp draw? Most people who connected lights say they connect them to 10 amps. So it looks like it would handle it! Let me know your thoughts.

Also on the other hand, the truck has it's own Cigarette lighter plug on the left side of the bed. That could be another way to power the switches.

RWUJILONG 12V/24V Heavy Duty Cigarette Lighter Extension Cord 26FT 14AWG with LED Light for Car Vehicle Tire Pump Air Compressor Refrigerator Coffee Maker etc. (1*Spare Fuse)

$19 RWUJILONG 12V/24V Heavy Duty Cigarette Lighter Extension Cord 26FT 14AWG with LED Light for Car Vehicle Tire Pump Air Compressor Refrigerator Coffee Maker etc. (1*Spare Fuse)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMPX96JL

https://auxbeam.com/products/switch...GUTPIVXGeLLIEWam3j-P2dZI-iLctkBNf1mUoqvYc1Z4y

 

It is very easy to run wiring out of the 12V battery. There is a rubber grommet at the firewall, driver's left foot if you need engine access. There is a rubber grommet under the right rear passenger seat for rearward access. All the trim pieces pop out easily with trim tools if needed.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-new-overpriced-heaping-pile.840870/page-15#post-30157622

 

The Hybrid battery is under the rear seat. Isn't the 12 VDC battery under the hood?

 

Under the left rear passenger seat.

 

No, under the rear seat.

 

Are you suggesting to make my own long cable and go thru the grommet on firewall? How do you seal that grommet afterwards? I saw a small nipple that I was going to use for the switch wire that will go to the inside of the cab, but I didn't see any more napples for the 12v cable.

 

Sure, run your own wiring. Butyl tape around the slice is good enough for me. Others can suggest something more elegant.

 

Did you add any plastic insulation to that 12v cable to make sure with time it doesn't rub and short?

 

In my case, for the winch wiring I have a loom on the engine side. Under the door panels there aren't any sharp points and being 2 gauge, not much room for looming. Your use case will not require that much wire and sure you can run a loom. If you are unsure you can have someone else do it.

 

Yes, I am still not sure what awg guage cable i will need and how to protect it.

 

I don't have a hybrid and we haven't had to do any of this to a 4g taco but I've seen other hybrids with heavy gauge terminals in the engine bay. Depending on what you are looking to do, this may or may NOT be a good idea but a set of BD reverse lights would be ok to hook up to something like that.

 

Those terminals are probably for use if a jump start is needed or to attach a battery charger.

 

There is a + stud in the hybrid fuse box along with a jumper blade.

https://youtu.be/xhIZcGDeoZY?si=d3c-QPhtO0EBkGNH

 

If you go the auxbeam route, they are significantly cheaper on Amazon.

 

You can connect to that stud for the 12v positive?

 

I don't have a hybrid, but note in the video where the guy attached his (ditch?) lights. There's a hot post in one corner.

 

Yes, I just saw that and I checked on my car. There is a plastic piece acting as a cover that could be removed so wires can reach that post. It has 1 clip where I have the screw driver but I am unable to slip it out. There must be another clip or that nut has to also be undone for it to come out.

 

Isn't the bolt a hex head?

 

That clip release the plastic a little bit but something else is holding it. Maybe the nut also needs to come out.

 

You would need to loosen it to add a wire ring fitting.

I don't have this problem since I'm a gas-only guy. Just trying to help.