Basic Diode Setup for Electric Tailgate

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TonyPTX

Member - Posts: 16

Joined: July 26, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: May 04, 2004 at 5:36 PM / IP Logged

Vehicle is a 2003 Ford F-150 SuperCrew w/Factory RKE

I recently installed a Retrax Tonneau cover and a DynoLock Electric Tailgate Actuator to lock/unlock the tailgate via RKE or door lock/unlock switch.

The DynoLock was a two wire actuator and I wired it to the Pink/Black (lock) and Pink/Orange (unlock) wires in the driver kick panel. Everything functions properly.

The concern I have now is that the actuator wiring exits the bottom side of the driver sill plate, runs under the cab to the frame, then runs inside the frame channel to the tailgate. The wiring is run insided of 1/4" split loom that's taped up, however NOW that the wire is exposed externally, a knowledgable theif could just connect a 12V source to the wires and unlock the cab doors (I'm speculating here). So to solve this possible security breach that I just introduced because of my laziness for not wanting to take the key out the ignition to unlock the tailgate, I'm thinking that a diode installed on the unlock wire running to the tailgate actuator just before it exits the truck cab can solve my problem.

The locks are ground at neutral and +12V on lock/unlock. If I installed a diode cathode side toward the tailgate actuator on the (unlock) wire, this should at least prevent unlocking the cab doors from an external 12V source right? Would I need to diode both wires? Let me know if I'm going in the right direction. Also, what size amp diode should I use? Would a 1A diode be good enough?

Thanks,

TonyPTX

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chriswallace187

Gold - Posts: 1,661

Joined: March 11, 2002

Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Posted: May 04, 2004 at 9:37 PM / IP Logged

You've splice into the wires for the doorlock motor leads. Since they rest at ground, the only thing that will happen if someone tries to apply 12 volts to the wires going into the cab is a dead short, which won't unlock the doors.

Besides being unnecessary, diodes would also stop the tailgate lock motor from working, since the wires need to be both ground and positive.

Bottom line-leave it alone, it's fine the way it is.

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TonyPTX

Member - Posts: 16

Joined: July 26, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: May 04, 2004 at 10:37 PM / IP Logged

chriswallace187 wrote:

Bottom line-leave it alone, it's fine the way it is.

Roger that. Thanks for the confirmation that my speculation was just that...

TonyPTX

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Basic Diode Setup for Electric Tailgate

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