So I had an idea....

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Rzrman328

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Posts
5,808
Reaction score
3,146
Location
The treeline
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Before I go any further......It works lol.

So I get bored and try random **** and so I already have led pods installed in the rear. Those are running off my trailer harness to come on in reverse only.

Before I had wired them up that way I had toyed with the idea of having them come on with my cargo lights but really wanted them to come on with reverse mostly.

So getting to it.....tonight I tapped the cargo light while still having them tapped into the trailer harness and these are the results:

When in reverse illumination occurred from:
Reverse lights, led pods and cargo lights.

When I push my cargo light button such illumination occurs:
Reverse, led pods and cargo lights.

And now the best part...when I unlock the truck:
Heads, reverse, cargo and led pods light up.

Like I stated first sentence....it works lol

Any wiring gurus see any future issues?
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Do you have an in line fuse for the pods on both power sources ?
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
For the cargo lt power source , did you get power at the push button by the dial , or @ the 3rd brake light or else where ?
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
No but those can easily be thrown in.

Throw'em in for peace of mind?
I would , this way if an issue with the pods caused a short it wouldn't blow fuses for reverse lights and cargo light , and would make troubleshooting much easier .
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
So long as the additional power draw on the reverse and cargo circuits arn't causing any messages or light out cautions it should be fine .
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Subscribed . I like this idea !
 
OP
OP
Rzrman328

Rzrman328

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Posts
5,808
Reaction score
3,146
Location
The treeline
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Nope, all is good.

I was a lil surprised no messages showed lol.

what size inline fuse should I go with?
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Nope, all is good.

I was a lil surprised no messages showed lol.

what size inline fuse should I go with?
Look on the pods they should have an amperage rating on them . Just multiply that by the # of pods you have and install one near the pods on each power source in line .
If they are LED the amperage will be very low .
 

reek

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2014
Posts
1,592
Reaction score
733
Location
Sacramento
Ram Year
2015 RAM 2500 CC 4x4, 72 D100, 73 D100, 01 RAM 2500 field truck
Engine
6.4 Hemi
if there's any draw issues, just use the cargo light tap as a relay signal and run a 12V line (from battery or other constant power) and wire in a Bosch type relay.
 

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,082
Reaction score
1,572
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
So in other words your truck looks like a space ship when it the un lock button? hahah


That's one thing I wish they made is brighter cargo lamps.
 

GoatLocker

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2015
Posts
69
Reaction score
19
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Cummins 6.7
When I push my cargo light button such illumination occurs:
Reverse, led pods and cargo lights.

Perfect for when someone is tailgating (or has their brights on). I've used my cargo light for this, but your setup will be much more effective.
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I've been thinking of installing a lightbar or pods for additional lighting for the backup camera kit I installed , and I like the idea of yours also having it operating with the cargo light button for when I'm straping down the boat at night .
 
Last edited:

BlownGP

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Posts
6,082
Reaction score
1,572
Location
Houston/Baton Rouge
Ram Year
2018 RAM Harvest New Holland Blue
Engine
5.7
This is what they get....ha..

Man, I like that idea of wiring it to the cargo light so when you hit it the pods come on.

How did you route the wiring to the cargo light? You go inside the cab?
 

turboguy327

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2014
Posts
67
Reaction score
40
You need to be careful when you do stuff like that. You could have power back feeding a module and fry some EXPENSIVE stuff. Use diodes in the future. Much safer than just splicing and powering circuits.
 
Top