There are many builds, but this one is mine.

[OFC Ranger]

Well the back feeding issue has been solved.

I need a single one way diode for every line type going to the aux lights. So for now I opted to leave the "all on" function disconnected because 20 diodes came in and it took exactly 20 diodes to make this work. I just need another 10 diodes to add the "all on" function. Ill post a junction board photo before bed to show progress.

I had no clue how wacky electrical wiring could be when you need a light to have multiple functions through various switches.

Disclaimer: I'm sure there must be a less over engineered way to do this, but at this point Im done researching methods. 20 diodes cost $5.99 on amazon and are rated for 15 amps each lol

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[Dave1899]

Picture Dump. Past two days off have been fruitful. Ran into some snags with backfeeding on my junction board to power the perimeter lighting. Diodes should arrive saturday to solve that.

Love the ARB canopy. I had one on my camper with the awning room.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Thank you. The awning room will be ordered in the near future.

 

[OFC Ranger]

So I am not really happy with my bed wiring setup for rack lighting. It is basically one large line to the light with a 2 pin waterproof connector. Don't get me wrong, it works fine, however it makes wire management mapping a pain. Getting light's wiring at varying distances to flow together uniformly can be frustrating. You can sort of guestimate the wire length you need, but I always end up with some slack and I don't like having to try and hide it with additional looms, or looms not flowing right. No matter how hard you try and measure distance, it just gets out of whack when you have to go up or on the cross beams of a rack for a nice uniform professional look.

I ordered some additional waterproof junction boxes and on the back bed wall I am going to mount them so I can treat them as terminal blocks. I am going to have a box for left side and a box for right side. Also a third box with my grounding bus bar. Then I can run wire from the lights, along the proper path under the rack (secure it as I go with 3M ziptie mount), then simply cut it at the terminal block for a nearly perfect measurement.

I did get my rear panel mounted and the sequential turn and running lights up and running, but I am not happy with how it turned out so I am mulling over some other ideas.

The Feniex 4200 mini controller wiring has beendone the way I planned and it it looks proper and well hidden, so that turned out good. Ill grab a picture in the morning.

 

[D Fresh]

So I am not really happy with my bed wiring setup for rack lighting. It is basically one large line to the light with a 2 pin waterproof connector. Don't get me wrong, it works fine, however it makes wire management mapping a pain. Getting light's wiring at varying distances to flow together uniformly can be frustrating. You can sort of guestimate the wire length you need, but I always end up with some slack and I don't like having to try and hide it with additional looms, or looms not flowing right. No matter how hard you try and measure distance, it just gets out of whack when you have to go up or on the cross beams of a rack for a nice uniform professional look.

I ordered some additional waterproof junction boxes and on the back bed wall I am going to mount them so I can treat them as terminal blocks. I am going to have a box for left side and a box for right side. Also a third box with my grounding bus bar. Then I can run wire from the lights, along the proper path under the rack (secure it as I go with 3M ziptie mount), then simply cut it at the terminal block for a nearly perfect measurement.

I did get my rear panel mounted and the sequential turn and running lights up and running, but I am not happy with how it turned out so I am mulling over some other ideas.

The Feniex 4200 mini controller wiring has beendone the way I planned and it it looks proper and well hidden, so that turned out good. Ill grab a picture in the morning.

I've done wiring both in industrial applications and AV in the past. A few pointers that might help.

Start at the end, your lights, and work backwards. Start with the furthest away from the source and work it to the point of your first junction, bring all the "branches" to the "trunk" as you pass them and work towards your source, in this case your controller box. Also, utilizing drip/service loops can clean up the look some as well as protect against water intrusion.

Also, start with tons of extra wire on each light, don't cut anything until everything is secure and you're wiring into your controller box.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I've done wiring both in industrial applications and AV in the past. A few pointers that might help.

Start at the end, your lights, and work backwards. Start with the furthest away from the source and work it to the point of your first junction, bring all the "branches" to the "trunk" as you pass them and work towards your source, in this case your controller box. Also, utilizing drip/service loops can clean up the look some as well as protect against water intrusion.

Also, start with tons of extra wire on each light, don't cut anything until everything is secure and you're wiring into your controller box.

Yea I am learning just what you are saying this go around.

 

[studiowild]

Mind sharing which tune you got? I saw you posting about it in another thread.

2019 XLT 2x4 (Sport / Tow / Electronics Package)

Purchase Date: 03/31/2020

See vehicle showcase link below avatar for current modifications and future plans

Purpose: First and foremost this is not an off-road dedicated vehicle. The scope of this project is to be a self contained transport vehicle for various tasks or emergency related events. It's primary purpose is to haul vast amounts of items without the need of a trailer, and supply human beings with a means of short to medium time-frame sustainability. It is not intended to go mudding or rock crawling.

Specific Build Thread for Custom Built 120" Platform Rack

PROGRESSION NEWEST TO OLDEST:

(Current Photo as of 04/11/2021)

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Older Progression Photos:

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(Purchased from Dealership on 03/31/2020)
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Edit: Older Content Removed

 

[OFC Ranger]

5-star 93 performance

 

[OFC Ranger]

In another hour heading into where I work to get some night photos and shoot some drone footage. Will be a mix of urban / decay city and some rural.

Let me put it this way, I will be wearing a uniformed collared shirt and my badge and gun to some places I am going.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Well that was a total bust.

My drones tracking capabilities won't engage without sufficient ambient lighting. The tracking capability is what gives drone the ability to smoothly and symmetrically rotate around a locked on object.

Back to the drawing board.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Really nothing to update than to say all projects are on hold until I see if the new garage is going to be built. Once I get that greenlight (hopefully next week) I have a fair amount of land work to do to get access and pad ready so that will be taking up my time and energy.

 

[MoldyTaco]

Color me intrigued. I would not need anything like this but I enjoy following your journey.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Color me intrigued. I would not need anything like this but I enjoy following your journey.

Hi Steven,

What I like is that Jack does not just propose this, he makes this happen Not for me, but I love his ingenuity on his Mods.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[OFC Ranger]

Garage has been greenlit, prep and order should begin next week.

Also about to order some Diode Dynamics Stage Series bars.

Not much more to add than that for the time being.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Pushing that small section out has definitely given me more peace of mind when maneuvering towards the back. I still need to go back and readjust the boards and also the would needs a good power washing along with the rest of my house.

I guess also in the coming month or so I need to go get some more crusher run so I can connect the two areas.

Hi Jack,

What could go wrong around the A/C compressor....Well...here is what we do to protect things. Works very well, eh?

So get yourself a shopping cart....not a big yellow bullard!

Oh yea and some yellow crime scene tape...being a LEO...

BTW, the store front is lined with these yellow bullards too and someone plowed them and ended in the Starbucks coffee inside the building...And she did this twice, a month apart....Glad no one was hurt.....


Best,
Phil

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