Cargo/Bed lighting that won't drain your truck battery, No wiring needed.

[MasterCylinder]

Just thought I'd pass along an idea in case someone else can use it. I repurposed one of those under counter/closet lights that are rechargeable by USB for quick an easy cargo lighting. I found it fits nice in the corner of the bed out of the way. They are magnetic so you can put them where you want. Has motion sensor and or on/off switch. They come with double sided tape and metal strips for non-magnetic mounting. Can remove for a work light, camp light, charging etc.... measures 12.5 inches(31.75cm) long, 2 inches(5.08cm) wide, 3/8 inch(.9525cm) thick. What I bought ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08CF4H5XZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Enjoy!

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[ryanO]

Just thought I'd pass along an idea in case someone else can use it. I repurposed one of those under counter/closet lights that are rechargeable by USB for quick an easy cargo lighting. I found it fits nice in the corner of the bed out of the way. They are magnetic so you can put them where you want. Has motion sensor and or on/off switch. They come with double sided tape and metal strips for non-magnetic mounting. Can remove for a work light, camp light, charging etc.... measures 12.5 inches(31.75cm) long, 2 inches(5.08cm) wide, 3/8 inch(.9525cm) thick. What I bought ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08CF4H5XZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title) Enjoy!

This may be a great solution for under hood lighting too. Attach it to the underside of the hood....? I guess moisture may end up destroying it there though?

 

[John E Davies]

Don’t count on these lasting very long past your first car wash or rain storm! My suggestion is find a dry location inside the cab to store them, for example in a seat back map pocket, and click them onto the sheet metal when you actually need some light.

However, crappy Amazon lithium ion batteries are a serious fire hazard, don’t let them get too hot! A 12volt corded or LiFePO4 battery trouble light won’t have any fire risk. I don’t keep any lithium ion rechargeables, including flashlights, in my vehicles long term, I use regular battery types.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[MasterCylinder]

Don’t count on these lasting very long past your first car wash or rain storm! My suggestion is find a dry location inside the cab to store them, for example in a seat back map pocket, and click them onto the sheet metal when you actually need some light.

However, crappy Amazon lithium ion batteries are a serious fire hazard, don’t let them get too hot! A 12volt corded or LiFePO4 battery trouble light won’t have any fire risk. I don’t keep any lithium ion rechargeables, including flashlights, in my vehicles long term, I use regular battery types.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Safety reminders are nice. Thanks. So far so good through several rain storms. Many washes, I wash vehicles at home. I have bed cover. It gets charged in shop or house. Nearly all problems associated with lithium Ion batteries is from damage. I've had it in bed for almost 3 months now, taken out to charge once. They've never even become warm to touch when charging. Have had in some closets for over 6 months, this was an extra lying around so made good use of it. All but one of my many power tools use Lithium Ion and they get pretty hot in use and charging. Led lights use very minute power draw. The exception are my powerful flashlights which get warm in use and charge.

 

[SLJ]

I use these in our camper and our larger kitchen cabinets. However, that's indoors. Under a good, no leaking cover might be okay as long as you put them in the cab when the bed is open.

 

[CaptAngry]

I think I'd be most worried about they getting too hot in the summer. I would think it could get well over 150°F under that bed cover in the summer Texas sun. I have had batteries balloon in my garage before.

I had the genius idea years ago to use an old iPad for a "shop computer". It didn't survive one summer. One of the cells ballooned and ripped the screen right off the iPad. And I've had an iPhone battery I was replacing catch fire because it got a tiny puncture. Burned so hot it melted the kitchen tongs we used to try and carry it outside

So these are legit warnings. YMMV

 

[MasterCylinder]

T

I think I'd be most worried about they getting too hot in the summer. I would think it could get well over 150°F under that bed cover in the summer Texas sun. I have had batteries balloon in my garage before.

I had the genius idea years ago to use an old iPad for a "shop computer". It didn't survive one summer. One of the cells ballooned and ripped the screen right off the iPad. And I've had an iPhone battery I was replacing catch fire because it got a tiny puncture. Burned so hot it melted the kitchen tongs we used to try and carry it outside

So these are legit warnings. YMMV

Per my back ground all warnings with the science and testing to back it up are legit. All Lithium ion and other batteries sold in the USA must meet or exceed testing to be sold here. This all happened because of the iPhone battery fiasco back in the 2000's. One s a temperature runaway test of 170F. Overcharging by more than recommended voltages to induce heat and breakdown. Many more test are done and repeatedly. As any battery ages so does it's materials so 140F might cause swelling verses 170F testing when new. The second you pierced that Lipo battery your shorted it out. All cell batteries are never fully discharge as the circuit keeps them from dropping to low so they will accept a charge, I've pulled swollen no good cell batteries still showing 3.2 volts. Laptop Computer batteries still showing half their rating but are bad. I've seen wet cell car batteries exploded, AGM ones exploded, Ni-cad batteries exploded, cell batteries swollen from constant charging etc... Even a wet cell battery with the side busted out that would still start the car. All those types are still in use. If someone has concerns about any battery powered item like John E Davies says, move it or don't use it, or use another type. To each their own. I certainly will not lose any sleep over it myself. Ranger On!

 

[Pithouter]

If you ever toss a small battery-powered accessory in the bed too, I’ve had good luck swapping the stock button cells for an lr1130 battery equivalent to keep things running longer before a recharge. It pairs nicely with those magnetic lights since everything stays low‑maintenance and you don’t have to worry about wiring or digging around for power.

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