extang b lights
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=133423
Printed Date: June 12, 2024 at 4:05 AM
Topic: extang b lights
Posted By: joeeyo
Subject: extang b lights
Date Posted: January 25, 2013 at 1:27 PM
Hey all, and many thanks in advance for any info you many be able to provide.
Just picked up my 2013 F-1150 2 weeks ago and put an Extang Trifecta Cover on the 6 1/2 bed. I am hoping to find a way to wire the Extang B-light kit to the Vanity (bed light, interior lights or puddle lights on side mirrors) lights so that when I lock/unlock my truck with the remote and these lights come on (which I can program how long to stay on) that it will also trigger and light the bed lights. They are 6 LED pods with I think 6 lights in each so I do not think there is a power concern, but what/where is the best place to hit the wires and WHAT WIRES!!!! Not very good with wiring but if directions are step by step and clear, I normally can get by.
Again, my many personal thanks for reading and/or posting!
Joey O
Replies:
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: January 25, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Their installation instructions lack two important things:
- a fuse (a BAD omission from their diagram!!)
- current ratings.
Normally I'd say their current is almost insignificant, but since they say the units "may get hot"...
If they are using 6 x 5W LEDs, then that's ~3A per unit (30W), but I doubt they are that powerful judging but their brightness reviews.
Or maybe they are using 6 single LEDs each with their own resistor (surely not?!).
The above not only impact what fuse and wire rating should be used, but what other circuits may tolerate them.
They should be able to be wired in parallel to existing lights that have the behavior you want provides the controlling circuit handles their current (switch, electronics, dimmer etc) noting that a dimmer needs to be a PWM type (not resistive) for linear dimming.
You only need 2 wires for the lot, namely the the +ve & GND which can be daisy chained from one to the next.
GNDs could be replaced by local body screws etc unless the controlling circuit/switch is a grounding type, but I'd recommend GND wires rather than (else in addition to) chassis/body grounding.
And having been reintroduced to the beast by Sir Howie II Esq yesterday, maybe the DEI 528t relay is a suitable option for adding to existing circuits (central locking, door switches etc). That has various sensing options and a 0-90 second delay.
The DEI 528t handles 30A, hence a max 30A fuse and wiring, or less if needed (ie, a 5A or 10A fuse etc where the fuse equals or exceeds the wire rating).
But maybe others can provide a more specific reply...
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