WLFPIR8
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Ethan
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2019
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 175
- Reaction score
- 393
- Location
- Central Ohio
- Website
- whor.us
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 Ranger Lariat FX4/Sport in Saber Orange
- Occupation
- Systems engineer by day, maker and multimedia guru by night.
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
- Thread starter
- #1
Finally got around to building and installing my bed lighting. Going to try and make a short video on the process soon, but here's the overview and pics!
For the bed, I wanted something dimmable, and dual color (RED - WHITE) for doing astro photography, or late night camping needs, and other work I may do out of the bed of my truck.
Originally I was going to go with some stick-on sign LED lights (https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-module-strings/) but decided on the KC Hilites because they are more robust, and can be screwed in.
(NOTE ON KC HILITES.... THE CASING IS COMMON GROUND AND IS NOT ISOLATED....)
The dimmer function is performed via a PWM dimmer circuit, which then feeds a color selector.
Got all of that mounted in a nice little sealed control box that fits right under the lip of the bed cover.
Measured and pre-made all the "harnesses" for each light to go to the control box.
Everything is powered off the 12V plug in the bed, and I rung that though a Jackery 500 to keep it topped off, and allow lighting whenever I need it.
I also installed dual lights in the engine bay with a fused, directly connected toggle switch to give me plenty of light.
Here's how it all looks at night.
All the bed lights can be dimmed to a nice low level, but I can open up the back and illuminate an entire large area if needed. Otherwise, the whole project was pretty straightforward, just took me forever to decide how I wanted it all laid out and connected. Be careful attaching the KC Hilites units to metal as the aluminum casing is grounded, so for most applications on a vehicle that's fine, but in my case the PWM controller I bought is COMMON POSITIVE so I had to isolate the led pucks with some neoprene and spacers. I'll end up making my own PWM controller or a current limited controller later on.
For the bed, I wanted something dimmable, and dual color (RED - WHITE) for doing astro photography, or late night camping needs, and other work I may do out of the bed of my truck.
Originally I was going to go with some stick-on sign LED lights (https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-module-strings/) but decided on the KC Hilites because they are more robust, and can be screwed in.
(NOTE ON KC HILITES.... THE CASING IS COMMON GROUND AND IS NOT ISOLATED....)
The dimmer function is performed via a PWM dimmer circuit, which then feeds a color selector.
Got all of that mounted in a nice little sealed control box that fits right under the lip of the bed cover.
Measured and pre-made all the "harnesses" for each light to go to the control box.
Everything is powered off the 12V plug in the bed, and I rung that though a Jackery 500 to keep it topped off, and allow lighting whenever I need it.
I also installed dual lights in the engine bay with a fused, directly connected toggle switch to give me plenty of light.
Here's how it all looks at night.
All the bed lights can be dimmed to a nice low level, but I can open up the back and illuminate an entire large area if needed. Otherwise, the whole project was pretty straightforward, just took me forever to decide how I wanted it all laid out and connected. Be careful attaching the KC Hilites units to metal as the aluminum casing is grounded, so for most applications on a vehicle that's fine, but in my case the PWM controller I bought is COMMON POSITIVE so I had to isolate the led pucks with some neoprene and spacers. I'll end up making my own PWM controller or a current limited controller later on.
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