Add power center in Ranger bed.
Other than commuting I use this truck to haul my R/C stuff. Decided to install an onboard charger so I didn't have to charge off battery in the engine compartment. Was difficult as there is no room to set stuff, and if there is a problem, could be a big deal. Arcing something on battery is like instant weld or worse. Charging on the seat you can end up burning it. Stuff happens. Plus it would just be easier sitting on tailgate to work on stuff and charging batteries.
So I ran a 10 gage wire (see light page) to old cigarette lighter/tray i had out of 91 jeep. Originally I was going to put a cigarette plug on old charger and just plug it into cigarette lighter. After I installed charger and cigarette lighter/ash tray is when idea for a panel that could be used for multiple things crept up. I started scrounging the shop...
Ended up building this panel-really, it started out WAY simpler. But as I progressed the panel grew. It plugs in to cigarette lighter to power panel. Panel has lights- pilot and switched area light, switched 12V +&- charge posts (most chargers have alligator clips), aux 12V receptacle, amp meter to see charge rate, switched volt meter to monitor truck battery. The charge post have separate panel fuse, the aux plug has separate inline fuse. The panel is aluminum diamond plate from an unused Wrangler frame cover. The volt meter was ...don't remember, been sitting round shop forever. The amp meter was from dead charger. The charge post assy is an old 12v-110v converter, pulled out receptacle, cut some plastic to isolate posts add fuse, switch & pilot. Pilots are from 30 year old sprinkler timer.
All I purchased was the 2 lighted switches for license light & volt meter and handle for door. Cool-I love building stuff out of spare parts. The door below holds chords that come from old charger.
