Just an observation why not use the ground to trigger the contact switch and apply 12V to the led.... then if the wire ever gets damaged you are not causing an electrical short.

 

cool mod bud. not my cup o tea but way to be creative. nice write up

 

Good point, you coud easily do this too:

 

That is a fine dog there Butch. I bet that baby is waiting for a ride to check it out with you. Know what you mean about the toot is watching every move. I have two. The gate-up indicator is a clever, useful mod. No telling how many gates you'll see between here and Dallas wheres lady ranchers have backed into a 12 inch post. I'm plan'g to add a sm on-off pot to adjust the brightness as needed. Clever idea. 2nd best LED idea of the week.

 

Yep she is the best dog I have ever had......Mix breads are the best!

 

Its a simple and great idea. I plan to do this to my truck. I'm curious if I could wire it into my "door ajar" light

 

i've left the tailgate open. luckily nothing fell out...i don't think. this would be a good mod for me. thanks for the DIY!

 

EvlKenEvl, 'door-ajar' light circuit may work. I believe the door-ajar sw is open when the door is closed. So, to use the reed sw that Butch is using, the magnet would have to be located on the bottom of the drop gate to close the sw attached on the bed's end when the gate is fully down. Reed switches are normally open, turned on (closed)w/magnet.

 

you can order those magnetic contact switches either way N.O. Or N.C. I am not sure how you would tie into the Door Ajar thing though? It would be cool!

 

Butch, thanks for the correction about the sw. If the Door Ajar indicator lamp is a common light for any door, you can tap the nearest door sw, run it out to the reed sw, out the sw to gnd. Good to go!