Adding a 12v to the bed using Aux 15amp switch

[Netcycles]

Just purchased my 2024 Willys which has the truck bed 115v. I also ordered a Pack Out camper which will have 3 12v led lights.
For convenience I want to put a 12v including USBC/A and a 12v receptacle and switches all in one panel. My usage all together would probably not be 15amps but I am still waiting on the light info. Even if it was I could use the 115 to charge phone, iPad, camera etc.
After looking at the Blue sea chart it looks like 8ga for the amps and the distance, even with RT I think 8g is correct. I’ve looked here at all the info I could find here on how and where to run the cable. Some use the Aux 1-2 40amp/ 12g but I will be using the
Aux 4 15amp Tiny wire.

what is the safest way to connect a 8g to a ?? 14ga I am guessing. I looked at Butt connectors but they seam to be for larger applications and expensive.

I want to use the switch as a failsafe to be able to cut it off the truck cabin, (did you turn off that tent light?)
If I need 30 amp I will use trailer hitch adapter. My compressor is the Vair 88P 20 amp
My power needs are uncertain at this pint and basically ran this same stuff on my JKU with a Ursa Minor on the jeep battery without problems.
Thanks for any info and please correct any errors

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[Jaxmax]

Remember the bed 120v outlet only works when truck is running , so charging while driving is good plugged in at night not so good. Ten gauge wire is good for 30amps you don’t have to run the negative back to the battery as there is a ground point above spare tire or make your own on the frame. Are you adding anything other then the air compressor say a fridge? I never thought I would have a fridge in bed but do and it is in all the time. I don’t have factory aux switches but do have a Voswitch and have four conductors going to box in bed I have air compressor, fridge , solar tie in, and general power for water pump and lights. The Voswitch does have a master off which I use mostly as a safety to be sure everything is off…..Jack

 

[Netcycles]

Good point! Another reason I wanted to use the aux switch so it would be live turned off.
yes I do see myself having a small say Iceco 21-32OT fridge but would need another power option maybe even a heating source besides my Mr heater buddy I use when there are fire bans. I Ursa Minor is fairly warm and we managed in minus 22 a few weeks ago in Canyonlands which made me want a heater In the new rig which I don’t get for a few months so am coming up with a plan here i even thought a large gauge say 6 to the front of the bed and run my jeep battery based item to a fuse box there.. here is the chart I used for wire gauge. Iv’e seen folks here use both 14-8ga for this project
round trip and grounding other then the battery was a bit confusing on wether it mattered with wire and to size up..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

12v outlet, double USB charging, volt meter, and switch, so if I was sleeping in the back I could reach over and turn off the power to that panel. It was all run through an aux switch. There was no way a 12v outlet was going to handle very many amps anyway....... but can't recall the gauge wire I used right now.

This is how I interconnected things on the back of my home-made panel -

I use crimp connectors and marine type heat shrink in most cases

 

[Netcycles]

Thanks, I’ve looked at a lot of your post on the subject including that you used the what for me would be 40 amp Aux switch. I am hoping to just keep the little stuff on the jeep battery with one circuit on the 15 amp. Perhaps down the road put in another circuit for a fridge and heater with an aux battery… they have change a bit recently. If I can’t find a box I will make my own box out of Copper, aluminum or steel I have laying around when I decide on wire gauge/ connections and order it all..

I’ve only ever done house wiring and it’s been awhile and yes its still standing. Would round trip be running a third black wire back to the battery?
The wire I looked at is red/black so ground on the side wall in the engine bay and run back to the new panel with usb and such in the bed then also to the frame there in the back? So the run would be closer to 15 ft?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I figured 15' to the side of the bed where I put the 12v outlet.
I figure 16' when I wired back into the tail light area on the right side to run the bumper mounted backup lights.

 

[GA D90]

Just purchased my 2024 Willys which has the truck bed 115v. I also ordered a Pack Out camper which will have 3 12v led lights.
For convenience I want to put a 12v including USBC/A and a 12v receptacle and switches all in one panel. My usage all together would probably not be 15amps but I am still waiting on the light info. Even if it was I could use the 115 to charge phone, iPad, camera etc.
After looking at the Blue sea chart it looks like 8ga for the amps and the distance, even with RT I think 8g is correct. I’ve looked here at all the info I could find here on how and where to run the cable. Some use the Aux 1-2 40amp/ 12g but I will be using the
Aux 4 15amp Tiny wire.

what is the safest way to connect a 8g to a ?? 14ga I am guessing. I looked at Butt connectors but they seam to be for larger applications and expensive.

I want to use the switch as a failsafe to be able to cut it off the truck cabin, (did you turn off that tent light?)
If I need 30 amp I will use trailer hitch adapter. My compressor is the Vair 88P 20 amp
My power needs are uncertain at this pint and basically ran this same stuff on my JKU with a Ursa Minor on the jeep battery without problems.
Thanks for any info and please correct any errors

I did exactly what you’re intending. Ran 12g grounded to a near by frame ground, Mounted just a simple round marine 12v outlet, in the plastic panel in the bed side wall. Works great!

 

[Blade1668]

You can use the aux switch to be a trigger for a relay and run heavier gauge wire for the power outlet)s) in the bed too. I'd have to dig out what I did in 2020 when I did mine. That was before I installed a separate system too.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You can use the aux switch to be a trigger for a relay and run heavier gauge wire for the power outlet)s) in the bed too. I'd have to dig out what I did in 2020 when I did mine. That was before I installed a separate system too.

How many amps can a typical 12v outlet or even accessory handle?
Aren't the 12v outlets limited to something like 15 amps? Maybe 20, tops?

 

[Blade1668]

How many amps can a typical 12v outlet or even accessory handle?
Aren't the 12v outlets limited to something like 15 amps? Maybe 20, tops?

I'd bet on less than 10 amps, in older vehicles... On new a cellphone charger is pressing it, the one in my 05 Wrangler burned out due to a small 12 v fan. I had to replace it. It's the same one as in my Gladiator 2020.

 

[Netcycles]

Yes, I’ve read the typical 12v receptacle is 15 amps, like the Aux switch, its the length of wire that i guess depending on ground would be 15-20 ft.. so 10g would be ok. I figure if I put a usb port also it could also feasibly be 10 amps so if I plugged everything in all at once it would be to much at 25 amps… so more switches in the bed to run one thing at a time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I figure if I put a usb port also it could also feasibly be 10 amps

100 watts for USB C
100/13 = ~7.7 amps

15 would be pushing it for a 12v outlet but in any case, two together maxed out to the max could pull 25.

 

[vicsvx]

12v outlet, double USB charging, volt meter, and switch, so if I was sleeping in the back I could reach over and turn off the power to that panel. It was all run through an aux switch. There was no way a 12v outlet was going to handle very many amps anyway....... but can't recall the gauge wire I used right now.

This is how I interconnected things on the back of my home-made panel -

I use crimp connectors and marine type heat shrink in most cases

I did almost the exact setup but ran the power wire to the battery with and inline fuse (to save aux switches since there's already a power switch on the outlet)

 

[Blade1668]

FYI here's a 12 v outlet that has been in use etc for 30 some years in my Comanche.

Since I've been trying to do some repair work on it.
Now the one in my Gladiator is a little better in some areas. Being hooked up with Anderson connector to house battery in cab. It has magnets to hold in place on topper.

Still a cluster #### of wires somewhat, but I can QD and remove the stuff from the bed.

If I kept the burned outlets I'd have several if not a half dozen. Few melted and few just come apart.

 

[Netcycles]

100 watts for USB C
100/13 = ~7.7 amps

15 would be pushing it for a 12v outlet but in any case, two together maxed out to the max could pull 25.

Good to know, the one I was looking at had 2 usb A and 2 usb C I went by what was advertised and doubled it. when I decide on one i will post it

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