Running Board + Bed Lights Question

[MJL88]

So I already installed LED strip lighting for my running boards and tied them into the cargo light wire so they come on when I open a door, hit the cargo light button inside or hit unlock on the key fob. Ultimately I want the same setup for my bed lights and while I know LEDs don’t draw a huge load I’m worried about having too much on the one circuit. Any thoughts on this?

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[Danager]

Should be just fine. LED strips draw about 2 amps per 5 meters. I would guess that is approximately the total length including both running boards and bed lighting.

 

[MJL88]

Should be just fine. LED strips draw about 2 amps per 5 meters. I would guess that is approximately the total length including both running boards and bed lighting.

It would be 20 feet total. 5 feet per strip. 2 for running boards and 2 for the bed. So roughly 6 meters.

 

[Danager]

It would be 20 feet total. 5 feet per strip. 2 for running boards and 2 for the bed. So roughly 6 meters.

2.4 amps. I think you should be okay.

I did run a relay to mine, because I also have a switch that turns on the bed lights.
I believe the schematic was posted by Bludrok.

 

[MJL88]

2.4 amps. I think you should be okay.

I did run a relay to mine, because I also have a switch that turns on the bed lights.
I believe the schematic was posted by Bludrok.

Thanks.

I’ve considered just finding a constant hot circuit and putting a pressure switch on the tailgate so the bed lights power on when I open the tailgate but I think I prefer the idea of them coming on with the cargo lights regardless of tailgate open or not.

 

[Danager]

Thanks.

I’ve considered just finding a constant hot circuit and putting a pressure switch on the tailgate so the bed lights power on when I open the tailgate but I think I prefer the idea of them coming on with the cargo lights regardless of tailgate open or not.

That circuit will do that. And allows you to draw from a source rated for the lights you are adding. I ran directly to the battery.

 

[melficeapoll]

So I already installed LED strip lighting for my running boards and tied them into the cargo light wire so they come on when I open a door, hit the cargo light button inside or hit unlock on the key fob. Ultimately I want the same setup for my bed lights and while I know LEDs don’t draw a huge load I’m worried about having too much on the one circuit. Any thoughts on this?

Where did you run the ground wire for the running board lights to?

 

[Tom_C]

Where did you run the ground wire for the running board lights to?

Anywhere you can get a hunk of clean metal

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Where did you run the ground wire for the running board lights to?

Hi Matt,

This question comes up from time to time. Anywhere on the body or chassis can work if clean metal. Scrape away some paint maybe, but do not just ground and forget. Paint over the area, spray with some wax based compound for battery terminals or otherwise protect the area...you then have a robust ground for years to come... I like the star washers as they bite into the metal to give very good ground path for electrical items. JMO.

Best,
Phil

 

[MJL88]

Where did you run the ground wire for the running board lights to?

I actually ran the power wire under the trim and behind the back seat under the carpet/backing and did the same with the ground and grounded it on one of the rear seat mounting bolts.

 

[melficeapoll]

I actually ran the power wire under the trim and behind the back seat under the carpet/backing and did the same with the ground and grounded it on one of the rear seat mounting bolts.

That's a great idea! Thanks for that. I plan on doing this when the weather eventually gets above 50⁰f where I'm at.

 

[Tim H.]

So I already installed LED strip lighting for my running boards and tied them into the cargo light wire so they come on when I open a door, hit the cargo light button inside or hit unlock on the key fob. Ultimately I want the same setup for my bed lights and while I know LEDs don’t draw a huge load I’m worried about having too much on the one circuit. Any thoughts on this?

Can you elaborate on the cargo light wiring part? Where did you hide the wires and how did you tap into the + wire. Any pictures? Thanks!

 

[MJL88]

Can you elaborate on the cargo light wiring part? Where did you hide the wires and how did you tap into the + wire. Any pictures? Thanks!

If you’re referring to the running board lights, if you pull the door floor trim on driver side back seat there’s a white wire with green stripe, that’s the cargo light wire. I drilled a small hole in this area to run the LED wires into the cab, tie into the white/green wire, routed the + and - under the trim, behind the rear seats to the other side, drilled a hole to run the LED wires on passenger side in. I grounded it on one of the rear bolts holding the back seat in. I used heat shrink butt connectors to tie everything together, rubber grommets in the holes I drilled and filled empty space in the grommets with clear silicone.

I ran the bed light wires down this hole:

out the bottom and into the same hole I used for the running board lights. Tied them in the same way.

Hopefully that makes some sense, if not I’ll try to get more detailed pictures of the whole setup. Too cold out right now. ?

 

[Tim H.]

If you’re referring to the running board lights, if you pull the door floor trim on driver side back seat there’s a white wire with green stripe, that’s the cargo light wire. I drilled a small hole in this area to run the LED wires into the cab, tie into the white/green wire, routed the + and - under the trim, behind the rear seats to the other side, drilled a hole to run the LED wires on passenger side in. I grounded it on one of the rear bolts holding the back seat in. I used heat shrink butt connectors to tie everything together, rubber grommets in the holes I drilled and filled empty space in the grommets with clear silicone.

I ran the bed light wires down this hole:

out the bottom and into the same hole I used for the running board lights. Tied them in the same way.

Hopefully that makes some sense, if not I’ll try to get more detailed pictures of the whole setup. Too cold out right now. ?

Awesome explanation. I‘ll post pics once my boards are installed with lights. Much appreciated!

 

[MJL88]

Awesome explanation. I‘ll post pics once my boards are installed with lights. Much appreciated!

Happy to help!

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