DIY: Adding the 12V Power Outlet Option in the Bed

[renewedcaper]

Slowly. The switch adapter is pretty good now, and takes any "long" 12mm pushbutton style switch (the anti vandal type). Working on the LED adapters, and those should take any 11mm bolt style LED.

But focusing on getting a coffee roaster installed at our farm soon, so that's been the priority … lol

I see you teasing us with that video on Facebook. Getting closer it seems.

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[Secousse]

Yes, there's 2 batteries inside running parallel. The Powerbox is designed to run off of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. But they are VERY very expensive. ( one is nearly $700) So I did some modifications so it can use lead acid batteries. All I did was remove the large power adapter and placed the smaller Anderson powerpoles. All I want to do is charge up my phone and use the light for emergencies.

Head to this site. ----> https://powerwerx.com/ You'll be like a kid in a toy store!!

Here's a direct link to the powerbox.
https://powerwerx.com/megabox-portable-power-box-bioenno-batteries

If you want to build your own, There's a few on Amazon I recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DJUXES/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That one above has a lid to hide the panel mount USB ports. And it has a tray inside.




This one below is smaller. It comes in many colors.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BWTMC6J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

This is fantastic, thank you!

Do you know if this MEGAbox can jumpstart the Ranger?
Also, any chance to have a pics of your modification, along with cost and links?

 

[Figarou]

This is fantastic, thank you!

Do you know if this MEGAbox can jumpstart the Ranger?
Also, any chance to have a pics of your modification, along with cost and links?

No, it can not jumpstart the Ranger. It's not designed for that.

Here is a picture of the modification. You can pretty much see what is needed.

 

[TN Ranger]

Finished a little DIY bed lights and 12 volt outlet. Used some leftover stuff from work. Turned out nice and the price was right free

Sorry soccer stuff for kid still in back.

 

[Secousse]

No, it can not jumpstart the Ranger. It's not designed for that.

Here is a picture of the modification. You can pretty much see what is needed.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Phrosty]

I didn't want to put any holes in my bed, and I have a drop in bed liner so I just rerouted the wires around instead of through. I think there is enough room to mount the socket in the bed liner itself under the access hole for tye downs.

Have you mounted this on the plastic yet?

 

[Cristhian]

I just did my DIY setup for my bed. I used the Wolf Haus harness and a small fuse box. connected the bed lights and a small power inverter to the fuse box already and have some connections available if I need to add some stuff later...

 

[FiveChime]

Does any know if we can use forescan to make this circuit active after an unlock? The bed light will be great when I arrive in the dark, but if I need to load in the dark it would be nice not to have to put the key in the ignition to enable the bed lights.

THIS! Anybody know? I’d love to use this outlet but what good is it if I unlock my truck and need to put something in the bed before starting? I’m thinking I may have to direct wire from the battery and use a relay to trigger the circuit power off of the unlock lights.

 

[renewedcaper]

THIS! Anybody know? I’d love to use this outlet but what good is it if I unlock my truck and need to put something in the bed before starting? I’m thinking I may have to direct wire from the battery and use a relay to trigger the circuit power off of the unlock lights.

I think this might be as close as it gets without extra wiring.

 

[micl9]

I think this might be as close as it gets without extra wiring.

Correct!
Thanks for searching that out!
That's exactly the post I was going to respond with.
That does work.
I would go with a long timeout rather than off as I have done. I think max is 18 hours, check the wiki

 

[Phrosty]

OK so finally I got my setup. I bought and returned the Ford 12v outlet ($35-$50), I bought the cabling, cut the end off on one side and wired this. Seemed the Ford outlet was super huge and really wouldn't fit anywhere unless you had no bedliner and cut out a hole in the metal of the bed.

I decided to go with placing the plug there, because there is a space for a tie down (fuse easily accessed through rubber seal), it will never be used because with the diamondback Toneau I can toss stuff on top of the toneau up to 1600lbs or the full weight of what the bed can hold and if I did for some reason need to tie something down inside, there are hooks on the 4 corners of the bed and they aren't obstructed.

For those that said the switch only works with the truck on, I can confirm that isn't true. It shows 12 when truck is off and 14 when truck is on.

If you decide to go with something like this, I recommend switching out that glass fuse. Also know that you don't need to install the panel you can put the outlet plugs where ever you want,I almost did it without, might have been a cleaner install and I could have probably put the switch on top with the 2 plugs below if I did such.

Links to plug:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GX4Z9N...abc_HBGY2FYP4ECBEP170XXR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Link to cover:
https://diamondbackcovers.com/products/diamondbackhd?variant=28732457161

 

[micl9]

For those that said the switch only works with the truck on, I can confirm that isn't true. It shows 12 when truck is off and 14 when truck is on.

First off, Nice install and LOVE that cover.

But the power WILL time out - its controlled by the same Forscan setting that sets the interior USB ports. So unless you changed this setting in Forscan it will turn off after 1.5 hrs.
Try and see if you have power 1st thing in the morning.

 

[Phrosty]

First off, Nice install and LOVE that cover.

But the power WILL time out - its controlled by the same Forscan setting that sets the interior USB ports. So unless you changed this setting in Forscan it will turn off after 1.5 hrs.
Try and see if you have power 1st thing in the morning.

Thanks, and yes you are correct I forgot to put that part. I just meant it can be powered without the car on, some were stating its off as soon as the car is off.

 

[VegasRanger]

I completed mine today. Best of all, it was free since I had all the parts already from a previous project I never completed. Works great. I just tapped into the existing wiring. I did cover the wire taps with electrical tape after the picture was taken. Easy job.

If anyone is wondering, the fuse for this is 20A and it’s the number 17 fuse in the engine compartment.

 

[renewedcaper]

I completed mine today. Best of all, it was free since I had all the parts already from a previous project I never completed. Works great. I just tapped into the existing wiring. I did cover the wire taps with electrical tape after the picture was taken. Easy job.

If anyone is wondering, the fuse for this is 20A and it’s the number 17 fuse in the engine compartment.

Any comments on that power station? I’ve had a Jackery 300 in my wishlist for a while, but yours is a bit easier on the wallet.

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