Is the cargo bed outlet worth it?

[dslfreak]

So I already have an outlet in my back seat, will the wiring for the below already be there or is there another wire that would have to be run for this that I also have to order?? Does anyone have any problems with the outlet? does fair ok being in the elements?

https://www.moparpartssurplus.com/a...6_8648281/Power-Inverter-Outlet/i2561812.html

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[Mr._Bill]

There are several threads on this. One of them has a list of the parts needed to add the bed outlet and make it work.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Being in the elements - you don't have any type of bed cover, or run a rack or something?
If I had one, it would be better protected than the one on the side of my shop or the side of my house. The truck bed stays clean and dry with a tonneau cover.
Worth it - only you can decide that. No one else can say anything other than if it's worth it to them and their own needs.

Do you need one? Could you use one? Can you think of ways it would be handy or save you time or effort?

I do wish I had one, but don't feel like going through all of the work for the install. (lately, after my last doc visit, I don't feel like doing much at all so my other mods may not happen any time soon)

 

[Mball488]

As others have said there are many threads on this. I did the complete install in less than an hour with all the parts on hand. I will go ahead and leave you with a complete parts list here, if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

"I do know that if you have the 115v 400W power outlet inside the jeep it is as simple as buying these parts below and youtubing the install.

1.) Headlamp Switch bezel - 6NU24TX7AB

2.) Inverter Switch - 68370049AA

3.) Jumper Wiring - 68398209AB

4.) Inverter Power outlet - 68312754AC

5.) Tapping Pan Head screw and washer - 6104610AA (4)

6.) Plastic Nut - 6509748AA (4)

Most were bought from www.bamwholesaleparts.com but I did have to ebay the inverter power outlet and also find the Headlamp Switch Bezel after calling multiple websites and dealerships".

 

[sarguy1941]

To be honest I find the 12V port I put in the bed much more useful than 400 watts of AC....

 

[ShadowsPapa]

To be honest I find the 12V port I put in the bed much more useful than 400 watts of AC....

400 watts of AC could handle my tablet, my laptop, charging a drill battery or impact battery, my hearing aids charger, my phone charger and possibly all at the same time. (or close to it)
A 12v outlet could handle an emergency light I have, or plug a USB adapter into that and charge a phone or a USB reading light before bed time.

 

[same_O_G]

Maybe I'm getting lazy as I get older (or maybe it's because I always have a thousand house projects to do), but I'd rather (and do) just carry/run an extension cord from the center console outlet than to go to all that trouble to have another one in the bed.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Having the outlet in the bed is nice and convenient. Unless I was needing it frequently, I likely wouldn't go through the hassle of adding it. Mine came with one, so that's one less thing to worry about. A portable fridge is next on my purchase list.

 

[mrmo]

Installing the factory outlet is easy, but max of 3 amps stock outpit will not do much work...laptop, chargers for batt op stuff, light, small stuff. I put in a 1500 watt inverter and a higher rated marine type outlet in the bed, now i have in the 12 amp range and can run small power tools, etc

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

To be honest I find the 12V port I put in the bed much more useful than 400 watts of AC....

I agree with this.
I have the bed outlet and will be running a switched 12v.
Thinking about it post purchase….. I went with it, with the thought of plugging the fridge in! But it’s on an inverter…. Power loss factor because of the inverter and it’s only powered with the truck is on or in acc (and it will only stay motor off power accessories on for so long….).
So, if I had to do it over again- I would Not have this.

Someone made a comment on how 400watts can charge things….. that’s true- but almost everything I take in the jeep can be powered with 12v. I carry a Milwaukee impact, and grinder, but I also carry a Milwaukee charger with a 12v power end…. ??‍ I vote 12v is better. (Plus zero inverter loss on the battery draw….- when the Jeep is off)

@Mr._Bill fridge is going to need a power source that is on when the Jeep is off…… something to consider.

also if you are in the market for a fridge- check out snomaster. They have a really low draw. I can go jeep off 2 days with the fridge plugged in on a factory battery and not cross low voltage threashold. ?

 

[Mr._Bill]

I do have 12v power available in back from the third battery I installed. I may have to extend something to inside the cab. The fridge may end up in the back seat for easy access while traveling.

 

[OngsterA]

I agree with this.
I have the bed outlet and will be running a switched 12v.
Thinking about it post purchase….. I went with it, with the thought of plugging the fridge in! But it’s on an inverter…. Power loss factor because of the inverter and it’s only powered with the truck is on or in acc (and it will only stay motor off power accessories on for so long….).
So, if I had to do it over again- I would Not have this.

Someone made a comment on how 400watts can charge things….. that’s true- but almost everything I take in the jeep can be powered with 12v. I carry a Milwaukee impact, and grinder, but I also carry a Milwaukee charger with a 12v power end…. ??‍ I vote 12v is better. (Plus zero inverter loss on the battery draw….- when the Jeep is off)

@Mr._Bill fridge is going to need a power source that is on when the Jeep is off…… something to consider.

also if you are in the market for a fridge- check out snomaster. They have a really low draw. I can go jeep off 2 days with the fridge plugged in on a factory battery and not cross low voltage threashold. ?

Can you give an example of a switched 12V outlet that will work/fit in our bed's stock location? Links or diagrams? Thx I'm thinking to connect an ARB compressor back there, don't want it in the passenger compartment because of the noise and heat generated. Power tools access would be great also.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Can you give an example of a switched 12V outlet that will work/fit in our bed's stock location? Links or diagrams? Thx I'm thinking to connect an ARB compressor back there, don't want it in the passenger compartment because of the noise and heat generated. Power tools access would be great also.

Any 12v diagram for a cigarette outlet would do. Battery, fuse (or circuit breaker), switch, plugground.
Just looking to have a switch in line between source power and 12v plug.
Blue sea systems makes nice 12v stuff ???

For an in bed arb setup you could put the switch in the cab on the dash- or in the bed with the compressor.

 

[sarguy1941]

Can you give an example of a switched 12V outlet that will work/fit in our bed's stock location? Links or diagrams? Thx I'm thinking to connect an ARB compressor back there, don't want it in the passenger compartment because of the noise and heat generated. Power tools access would be great also.

Do a search in this forum. Plenty of options. Mine is the standard 12V Marine port in the plastic cap that is in the outlet location. Ran mine with 12G all the way to the engine compartment and put on the AUX switch so i didn't leave it on. I used it on my last trip to charge tool batteries (12v charger), air compressor, charge laptop and tablet, run a fan and at one point my little 300watt invertor to charge our camera.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Someone made a comment on how 400watts can charge things….. that’s true- but almost everything I take in the jeep can be powered with 12v. I carry a Milwaukee impact, and grinder, but I also carry a Milwaukee charger with a 12v power end…. ??‍ I vote 12v is better. (Plus zero inverter loss on the battery draw….- when the Jeep is off)

That's fine - but doesn't help when every single thing you have is 110v. I used my battery powered equipment in my shop 90% of the time - makes no sense to have 12v charger cord ends. I'd be running my equipment out to a vehicle to charge it. I have quad outlets all over both floors of my shop, though, so an outlet is never more than 4 - 6 feet away.

I know why they limit the power drawn - and shut it off after 30 minutes - some fools out there would run it for hours, kill their batteries and then bitch to Jeep about being stranded. They have to make these for the best dummies out there, idiot proof them - they know a better idiot will come along and kill the batteries otherwise. You know they would.

Yes, the drawback of the inverter (factory inverter) is that it's ACC or RUN only.
Power loss is likely 5 - 15% and considering these are factory installed units in a truck, more like 10-15%.
The better ones are 5% and some companies are achieving 1% loss.
The dual conversion power supply for my wife's expensive quilting equipment is extremely efficient but we paid dearly for that efficiency. I can monitor it, and the heat output is very low as well (it's converting from AC to DC, then back from DC to AC to power the equipment)

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