Bed outlet

[swink55]

Ok. So I apologize in advance if someone has already done this but I’ve been googling for a few hours with no luck

I have a 2020 sport s with the aux switches and a 240 alternator. I want to add the outlet to the bed. I do not have the factory inverter. My plan is to buy the oem plug and screw that into the bed. And then somehow (this is where I need help) connect it to the aux switches.

I’m assuming I can cut the connector off and wire up connectors to a wire and run it to the hood. I just don’t know if it can go straight to the aux switch cable or if I need a relay type situation.

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[Hootbro]

Without the inside inverter, doing the OEM bed inverter plug setup is not a realistic endeavor. Been a few threads started just like this one and everybody comes to the conclusion to just go aftermarket for the inverter install and run it to the bed with a aftermarket plug setup. You can setup switching of the aftermarket inverter with your Aux switches.

I have yet to see anybody post a A. to Z. instruction on doing this. Just installs after the fact.

 

[swink55]

Without the inside inverter, doing the OEM bed inverter plug setup is not a realistic endeavor. Been a few threads started just like this one and everybody comes to the conclusion to just go aftermarket for the inverter install and run it to the bed with a aftermarket plug setup. You can setup switching of the aftermarket inverter with your Aux switches.

I have yet to see anybody post a A. to Z. instruction on doing this. Just installs after the fact.

Ok so I couldn’t just run the wires from the plug direct to the aux switch? I’m kind of lost. I need to go aux switch -> inverter -> outlet not just aux switch wired to plug

 

[Hootbro]

Ok so I couldn’t just run the wires from the plug direct to the aux switch? I’m kind of lost. I need to go aux switch -> inverter -> outlet not just aux switch wired to plug

Aux switches are just a 12vdc power switching. To have 115 VAC at the bed outlet, you need the inverter that converts the DC to AC power.

If electrical is not your thing, you may need to have someone local like a custom car stereo shop or even a shop that deals in Marine equipment .

Plug and pray is a good way to burn a vehicle to the ground if you have no clue about electrical.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Like already said - the aux switches can't possibly power 110v outlets.
Your truck is 12 volts.
outlets are 110
To get from 12 to 110 you need the inverter.
I think you need to have someone install this for you.

 

[Jefe1018]

You can probably install an inverter and wire it to to the OEM plug in the bed yes, and have that inverter be turned on or off by one of the aux switches, but how often would you really use it? Seriously? For what and how often? I don't even use the one in the cabin.

 

[JRobes]

I'd also plan around what types of devices you want to power. If it's just units with 12v plugs (fridge, air compressor, heated blanket, or cigarette style chargers), just keep it DC power straight from one of the aux wires in the engine bay to a 12V barrel female plug in the bedside.

If you have only devices with AC plugs, then yes go with a hidden inverter somewhere and run the 120v wires to the wall plug type outlet on the bedside.

Keep in mind you can always run 12V to the bedside, then plug in an inverter into that DC plug, which allows you to have an inverter you can swap between vehicles if that's appealing. Whatever route you take, make sure to use heavy enough wire for the amp draw and length of run (roughly 20 ft once you factor in wire routing from the engine bay) and use fuses as appropriate to prevent fires from overheated wires.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You can probably install an inverter and wire it to to the OEM plug in the bed yes, and have that inverter be turned on or off by one of the aux switches, but how often would you really use it? Seriously? For what and how often? I don't even use the one in the cabin.

Hey, I used the outlet in the back of the console in my JT!
Yeah, I used it to test a cheapy air compressor I found in Dad's garage years ago. Shocked - both the outlet and the compressor worked! (don't get too excited, I mean it's a discount store air compressor, maybe 300 watts)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'd also plan around what types of devices you want to power. If it's just units with 12v plugs (fridge, air compressor, heated blanket, or cigarette style chargers), just keep it DC power straight from one of the aux wires in the engine bay to a 12V barrel female plug in the bedside.

If you have only devices with AC plugs, then yes go with a hidden inverter somewhere and run the 120v wires to the wall plug type outlet on the bedside.

Keep in mind you can always run 12V to the bedside, then plug in an inverter into that DC plug, which allows you to have an inverter you can swap between vehicles if that's appealing. Whatever route you take, make sure to use heavy enough wire for the amp draw and length of run (roughly 20 ft one you factor in wire routing from the engine bay) and use fuses as appropriate to prevent fires from overheated wires.

Yeah, I decided I'd use 12v power more often and I was sure correct. I've used that 12v outlet as well as the 2 USB charging ports I installed back there for 2 years now.
Can plug a cooler or whatever into the 12v outlet and yes, could even power a small inverter if I wanted.

 

[Average Oregonian]

I use the factory bed outlet to power an electric cooler. The DC-AC-DC conversion of course is a bit inefficient, but the current demand is low enough to make it irrelevant.

It’s nice being able to verify that it is on remotely, and it’s nice that the Jeep remembers the position of the ON-OFF switch through ignition cycles.

That said, to the OP’s question: the most direct solution, if you want 110v in the bed that is controlled by an aux switch, would be a small inverter wired to one of the higher-current aux switches. The higher ones can do 40a IIRC, which would put you right around 400w on an inverter and the same output as the factory inverter setup. You’d have to do some custom wiring to adapt the factory pigtail to aftermarket inverter wiring.

Take it to an audio or marine shop as suggested :D

 

[Kevin_D]

If you’re looking for 120VAC household current in the back, wire up the inverter under the hood and run 120V to the rear.
A 400W inverter will draw ~40A, which is 8ga. wire that is expensive. The same 400W at 120V is under 4A, and a 16ga. extension cord will work, and is cheap.

Kevin

 

[ecidiego]

You can probably install an inverter and wire it to to the OEM plug in the bed yes, and have that inverter be turned on or off by one of the aux switches, but how often would you really use it? Seriously? For what and how often? I don't even use the one in the cabin.

This. I don't have the bed outlet but do have the console outlet ( Mojave has it factory no options )...

I use it 2 or 3x a year - when all doors and top are off and an inflatable snowman is in my bed for Christmas light tours.

 

[SargeDiesel]

A 400W inverter will draw ~40A, which is 8ga. wire that is expensive. The same 400W at 120V is under 4A

Would you mind clarifying this for me please... I'm a little confused.... I thought all inverters like our Jeeps use converted our 12v dc to 110/120v ac...

What is the difference in the inverters you mentioned ? Why would one be 40A and another 4A if they are both 400w converting to 120v ?

 

[SargeDiesel]

This. I don't have the bed outlet but do have the console outlet ( Mojave has it factory no options )...

I use it 2 or 3x a year - when all doors and top are off and an inflatable snowman is in my bed for Christmas light tours.

Mine rides in the cab with me... lol

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Would you mind clarifying this for me please... I'm a little confused.... I thought all inverters like our Jeeps use converted our 12v dc to 110/120v ac...

What is the difference in the inverters you mentioned ? Why would one be 40A and another 4A if they are both 400w converting to 120v ?

Not totally clear unless you key in on the word "draw" - he's comparing the input side to the output side. Draw on the 12 volt input side - the size of wire needed for that compared to the size wire running from the inverter to the AC device.

400 watts at 12 volts would pull ~ 33 amps.
On the output or 110 volt side, 400 watts is only ~ 3.6 (or round to 4 amps)

Those are round numbers because when things are running you are over 12 volts on the input side unless they regulate the input voltage on the Jeep factory install.
So 400 watts at 13 volts would only be ~31 amps - still heavy wire is needed (you can buy really good stuff in those gauges on Amazon)
On the output side, if it's regulated at 120 volts output, 400 watts is only a bit over 3 amps - so you can run almost any extension cord from the inverter to the device you want to power via 120 VAC.
More efficient to keep the inverter close to the 12 volt power source (batteries, alternator, etc. up front) and run an extension cord than put the inverter clear in the back and have to handle 30+ amps.
It's why transmission lines along the street run high voltage even though the house is only fed 120 volts per leg.
Smaller, lighter, cheaper wire with high voltages/low amperage vs. low voltage/high amperage.

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