Notes for installing color changing LED strips

Here are some common considerations to help you avoid common installation mistakes and make your installation smooth.

1. Each group of LEDs form a working section that can be used separately. Cut the light strip along the cutting line, so that each unit can still be a complete section and work properly.


2. When selecting the LED connectors for strip lights, pay attention to choose the matching connectors. RGB color changing light strip needs to use 4pin connectors, while RGBW strip uses 5pin connectors, so the RGB and RGBW connectors cannot be interchangeable. Also make sure that the width of the connector matches the strip. Generally, the width of RGB LED strip is 10mm or 12mm. The width of RGBW LED strip is generally 12mm.


3. There are positive and negative signs on the connectors. When installing the connectors, pay attention to the positive and negative polarities of the connector, and match the positive and negative of the light strip.


4. If the color of the light strip is irregular when controlled by RGB controllers, it may be a problem with the light strip, or it may be a problem of the controller. You can check it one by one.
   
   Warning. A very tricky detail can also cause this problem, that is, the circuits of different colors are accidentally connected together. Therefore, remember to check if the wires are accidentally connected together when the colors display irregularly during installation.


5. When choosing LED power supply, firstly, the voltage of the power supply should match with the voltage of the light strip, and secondly, the power of the power supply is recommended to be 20% larger than the power of the LED light strips.


6. Start with a good setup plan before installation, lay out the light strip and controllers on the sketch and on the scene before tearing off the protective film of 3M tape for the actual mounting of LED strip. If there is no overall planning before installation, during actual installation you may need to tear off the LED strip and reinstall it. Removing and reinstalling may damage the light strip. Re-use will also reduce the viscosity of the 3M tape, and the light strip may fall off in the future.


7. Please note that the power marked for the RGB strip and the RGBW LED strip refers to the maximum power consumption, which is only achieved when all color channels (R, G, B and white) are set to full brightness. Although the maximum power consumption of the light strip must be considered when selecting the appropriate LED power supply, the power consumption is not as large as the indicated in daily use, because not all channels are turned on and run at full brightness.

After choosing LED light strips, you will need to choose a proper LED power supply. Recommended reading: How to choose LED strip light power supply.