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Bed Lights On A Timer....??

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Crow Horse, Dec 9, 2020.

  1. Dec 9, 2020 at 5:44 PM
    #1
    Crow Horse

    Crow Horse [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Central NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB TRDOR
    I'm looking into installing bed lights and ideally I would want them on a timer. The Southeast Toyota kit ties into the dome light and a door would have to be open for the bed lights to activate. That's not a good option if it's raining. I could tie them directly to the battery but I can see that at some point I would forget to switch them off. An illuminated in cab switch would be helpful in avoiding that situation but not fail safe. A timer switch would have to be waterproof and I'm not certain something like this exists. Are there any other options a sometimes forgetful Tacoma lover might consider? Any ideas?.....
     
  2. Dec 9, 2020 at 6:48 PM
    #2
    Soylent Green2012

    Soylent Green2012 RestoRides MotorSports

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    jake
    Apopka, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tacoma Pre runner SR5 V6 Limited Edition
    chrome bull bar, 20" vision wheels, LED lighting, Custom grill.
    Mine are connected with a separate trailer pigtail that splits off the one at the rear bumper.
    The harness has a switch and relay installed in the compartment on the bed side.
    The switch is mounted on the left upright bed pillar. Next to the left rear tail light.
    You just raise the hard cover drop the tail gate and hit the switch.
    All white LEDS all around the front and both sides of the bed. and very bright.
    Works great.
     
  3. Dec 9, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #3
    j8food

    j8food Well-Known Member

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    I have my camper lights run to a motorcycle battery under the hood. It's on a big diode so that it charges but won't drain the main battery.
     
  4. Dec 9, 2020 at 7:14 PM
    #4
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Eric
    Sparks, NV
    Vehicle:
    07 AC 6mt>03 SR5 >08 Sport and 17 6MT TRD OR
    Relentless Armored! Too many others to list.
    Could do a timer with a Switch Pro's SP8100 accessory power panel. You can select different triggers with their system, as well as timers after key-off on any switch on the panel individually. Ex. some of the switches on our rig are always hot like connected directly to the battery, some are based on ignition-on and some have been set up to allow you to turn on a switch for xx minutes after key-off. Useful for things like you stated- bed lighting, rack/scene lighting, etc where you want to use after the truck is off, but don't want accidental battery drain if forgotten on.
     
  5. Dec 9, 2020 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    JAGCanada

    JAGCanada Well-Known Member

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    2010 TRD Sport V6 Auto Double Cab MGM
    I wasn't happy with the light in my topper (too dark) and want to install some new lights. I was concerned about leaving them on, so decided to install 5v led strips and power of a standard 5v battery pack, used for charging phones etc. I just put a rocker switch in line between the battery pack and the lights. The battery pack has 2 usb ports and needed to hook up the wiring in parallel using both ports as the current draw using 1 port was too much. Works great. If I leave the lights on, I'll just unplug the battery pack and recharge it while I drive.

    20201009_185040.jpg
     
  6. Dec 9, 2020 at 9:33 PM
    #6
    bikerx

    bikerx Member

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    Vancouver BC
    I have lights in my bed hooked up directly to my 2nd battery .
    I used an oem Door switch for my ground. i mounted it beside the rubber stopper that stops the tailgate when it closes . when you close the tailgate the door switch breaks the ground so when ever the tailgate is closed it will never draw power. i kept the switch that came with my lighting kit as a master kill , if i have the tailgate open for transporting dirtbikes or setting up camp. i have the ability to turn off the lights in the bed.
    https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=940788&cc=1441488&jsn=1344
     
    JAGCanada likes this.

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