12v outlet in truck bed

[Tom Jensen]

Folks - I’m having a cap installed on my ‘23 Lariat. I would like to install a small fan to the (inside of) the cap to provide a breeze when it gets hot and the truck is parked. Nothing is too god for my dog. I’d like to be able to switch it from up front, on the dash somewhere. I would use the type of fan marketed for boats and RVs that just needs a cigarette-lighter socket. Has anyone got advice on the simplest, cleanest way to wire this setup? Thank you.

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[RickLightning]

Get a 120v fan...

 

[Tom Jensen]

Get a 120v fan...

Hey, even this blind pig found that truffle. That’s where I started, but I set that idea aside on the assumption that I’d need to leave the truck power on to keep the outlet live, which seemed less than optimal in a situation where I’d be away from the truck for the couple of minutes it might take to get a cup of coffee or whatever. And I couldn’t figure out a way to use the bed plug for power while also switching it from inside. Meaning that I’d have to plug it in or unplug it at each stop. Am I mistaken about those hurdles?

 

[iam-s-Hon]

Accessory mode? It stays on for a bit.

Or, turn off the auto shutoff feature and be sure to lock the truck when you walk away?

 

[Ragman]

Solar RV/Marine fans likely ideal for a truck cap. If you want major air flow though the 120 is easiest.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The upfitters guides have specific recommendations.

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/upfit/publications/

 

[Tom Jensen]

The upfitters guides have specific recommendations.

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/upfit/publications/

Thanks. This resource is new to me. I appreciate the tip.

 

[Tom Jensen]

Accessory mode? It stays on for a bit.

Or, turn off the auto shutoff feature and be sure to lock the truck when you walk away?

I had forgotten that the shut-down can be de-selected. That may be the trick. Thank you.

 

[Tom Jensen]

Solar RV/Marine fans likely ideal for a truck cap. If you want major air flow though the 120 is easiest.

Yep. That’s my fall back for a 12v. I’d look for a panel that could be affixed nearly flush with the surface so there’d be little or no wind noise and add a weatherproof switch somewhere reachable on the front exterior of the cap.

 

[Henry Ford]

Yep. That’s my fall back for a 12v. I’d look for a panel that could be affixed nearly flush with the surface so there’d be little or no wind noise and add a weatherproof switch somewhere reachable on the front exterior of the cap.

Just use a 120V fan and turn it on and off using the Pro Power Onboard app on your center screen. Everything you are trying to do is possible using the center screen.

Nothing is too god for my dog.

She's not in the cab. Just sayin'

 

[Tom Jensen]

Just use a 120V fan and turn it on and off using the Pro Power Onboard app on your center screen. Everything you are trying to do is possible using the center screen.



She's not in the cab. Just sayin'

She has always ridden in the cab. Hair and slobber have been an acceptable price to pay. But she’s getting very old and has begun sharing things that are harder to clean up than hair and slobber. I may never put her in the bed, it does feel like betrayal, but I want the option if I just can’t take the clean-up duties any more while she’s still strong enough to go with me in the truck.

 

[Henry Ford]

She has always ridden in the cab. Hair and slobber have been an acceptable price to pay. But she’s getting very old and has begun sharing things that are harder to clean up than hair and slobber. I may never put her in the bed, it does feel like betrayal, but I want the option if I just can’t take the clean-up duties any more while she’s still strong enough to go with me in the truck.

It feels like a betrayal to your truck to allow that to happen.



I don't have a pet but nothing is too good for my truck. I allow my kids to ride in the cab... reluctantly.

 

[Tom Jensen]

It feels like a betrayal to your truck to allow that to happen.



I don't have a pet but nothing is too good for my truck. I allow my kids to ride in the cab... reluctantly.

My youngest son has come close to being banned from the cab, but I always fold. Weak.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

You probably already have your answer, but perhaps consider a 12V fan powered off a direct connection to a PV panel mounted to the roof of the cap. You could get even more sophisticated and put a small AGM battery and charge controller in the circuit as well. I used something similar for a ventialltion fan circuit in my old chicken coup.

Or just get an AC powered fan. Much less work, but also less fun to figure it all out.

 

[Tom Jensen]

You probably already have your answer, but perhaps consider a 12V fan powered off a direct connection to a PV panel mounted to the roof of the cap. You could get even more sophisticated and put a small AGM battery and charge controller in the circuit as well. I used something similar for a ventialltion fan circuit in my old chicken coup.

Or just get an AC powered fan. Much less work, but also less fun to figure it all out.

Exactly! Why do the easy thing?

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