Help with LED Strip lighting

[Malbo]

Hey all,

 

I'm looking to install some LED lights on TV cabinet and need to have four runs of LED lights. Each run is 1.5m long. Looking for some advice on how to set it up without any need for soldering. I've done some research but cant seem to find any clear help on how to set up four runs from one power source or one controller. I don't need them to be fancy, and just simple warm white is what I'm going for so strips don't need to be RGB or remote controlled. Do you think its possible or do i need to have multiple PSU's and controllers?

 

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

[Poinkachu]

31 minutes ago, Malbo said:

Hey all,

 

I'm looking to install some LED lights on TV cabinet and need to have four runs of LED lights. Each run is 1.5m long. Looking for some advice on how to set it up without any need for soldering. I've done some research but cant seem to find any clear help on how to set up four runs from one power source or one controller. I don't need them to be fancy, and just simple warm white is what I'm going for so strips don't need to be RGB or remote controlled. Do you think its possible or do i need to have multiple PSU's and controllers?

 

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

So, single color 12v led strip yes?
You might need an amplifier for LED strip that long, to avoid dimming due to voltage drop too much. Unless you set them up separate, each with their own power supply.
Or 1 power supply but don't put all the strips on series.
You don't need to worry about color sync since you plan to use single color ones anyway.

As for connecting without soldering, you might be able to use this :
https://www.amazon.com/Connectors-Connector-T-Shape-Solderless-Adapter/dp/B08T9BT5C2/ref=sxin_16_ac_d_rm?ac_md=1-1-bGVkIHN0cmlwIGNvbm5lY3RvciAyIHBpbg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm_rm_rm&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08%3Aamzn1.sym.ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08&cv_ct_cx=led%2Bstrip%2Bconnector&keywords=led%2Bstrip%2Bconnector&pd_rd_i=B08T9BT5C2&pd_rd_r=024a3c49-2d40-46d6-8be8-c4785bfe12ec&pd_rd_w=9DipE&pd_rd_wg=Uodxw&pf_rd_p=ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08&pf_rd_r=657Y3H5PX4ZT4HJKDYBK&qid=1671464196&sr=1-2-7d9bfb42-6e38-4445-b604-42cab39e191b&th=1

Keep the rating for the quick connector in mind. There might be a more heavy duty version out there.
 

As for connecting to the power supply, utilize something like this :
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Barrel-Connector-Cameras-LED/dp/B01M0P34E8

Or get a power supply without DC barrel jack, like this :
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Switching-Transformer-Converter/dp/B09J4GDJ4Y

If you want to be able to atleast dim it, then use a dimmer :
https://www.amazon.com/RGBZONE-Dimmer-Controller-Switch-5630LED/dp/B07RP836LM/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1XTBJQE5XHE2K&keywords=single%2Bcolor%2Bled%2Bstrip%2Bdimmer&qid=1671465350&sprefix=single%2Bcolor%2Bled%2Bstrip%2Bdimme%2Caps%2C379&sr=8-4&th=1
 

[Malbo]

12 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

So, single color 12v led strip yes?
You might need an amplifier for LED strip that long, to avoid dimming due to voltage drop too much. Unless you set them up separate, each with their own power supply.
Or 1 power supply but don't put all the strips on series.
You don't need to worry about color sync since you plan to use single color ones anyway.

As for connecting without soldering, you might be able to use this :
https://www.amazon.com/Connectors-Connector-T-Shape-Solderless-Adapter/dp/B08T9BT5C2/ref=sxin_16_ac_d_rm?ac_md=1-1-bGVkIHN0cmlwIGNvbm5lY3RvciAyIHBpbg%3D%3D-ac_d_rm_rm_rm&content-id=amzn1.sym.ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08%3Aamzn1.sym.ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08&cv_ct_cx=led%2Bstrip%2Bconnector&keywords=led%2Bstrip%2Bconnector&pd_rd_i=B08T9BT5C2&pd_rd_r=024a3c49-2d40-46d6-8be8-c4785bfe12ec&pd_rd_w=9DipE&pd_rd_wg=Uodxw&pf_rd_p=ea2988fd-eb01-4865-b164-a09daab74e08&pf_rd_r=657Y3H5PX4ZT4HJKDYBK&qid=1671464196&sr=1-2-7d9bfb42-6e38-4445-b604-42cab39e191b&th=1

Keep the rating for the quick connector in mind. There might be a more heavy duty version out there.
 

As for connecting to the power supply, utilize something like this :
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Barrel-Connector-Cameras-LED/dp/B01M0P34E8

Or get a power supply without DC barrel jack, like this :
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Switching-Transformer-Converter/dp/B09J4GDJ4Y

If you want to be able to atleast dim it, then use a dimmer :
https://www.amazon.com/RGBZONE-Dimmer-Controller-Switch-5630LED/dp/B07RP836LM/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1XTBJQE5XHE2K&keywords=single%2Bcolor%2Bled%2Bstrip%2Bdimmer&qid=1671465350&sprefix=single%2Bcolor%2Bled%2Bstrip%2Bdimme%2Caps%2C379&sr=8-4&th=1

 

 

Thanks for the response. The cabinet in questions is below. You can see the yellow lines are the runs i want to do and then bring all four stripes out the top for power.  It sounds like a simple barrel jack and power supply for each run is the best idea yeah? I have space at the top of the cabinet i can hide a 4 plug power strip. Probably simple run each line on its own

[Poinkachu]

12 minutes ago, Malbo said:

 

Thanks for the response. The cabinet in questions is below. You can see the yellow lines are the runs i want to do and then bring all four stripes out the top for power.  It sounds like a simple barrel jack and power supply for each run is the best idea yeah? I have space at the top of the cabinet i can hide a 4 plug power strip. Probably simple run each line on its own

Calculate total amps for all the strips. Then add some more amps, for leeway.
Buy a power supply that can supply that much amp.

Buy a dimmer that can handle that much amp (if you want to use dimmer).
Connect all the strips to that very same power supply, or dimmer.
That's what I'd do.

Or separate them to 2 power supply, or 4, up to you.

Caged type power supply is usually easier to connect multiple strips to 1 PSU, although you can also use barrel jack splitter for non open cage type of PSU.
Just that caged type PSU is more exposed to elements, but they will run cooler than the non caged one when it comes to high load.

https://www.ledsupply.com/blog/powering-12-volt-led-light-strips/

 

Also, do yourself a favor and buy a better doubletape, I suggest VHB tape, or use a more robust mounting (example below), because the double tape the strips came with usually not that good, especially after being subjected to heat.

Screw method :
https://www.amazon.com/Mounting-Bracket-Transparent-Waterproof-Included/dp/B0B1PZPLDP/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2KSY3ASUYZJ43&keywords=led+strip+mounting&qid=1671465532&sprefix=led+strip+%2Caps%2C1330&sr=8-4

Clear VHB method :
https://www.amazon.com/Threetwofour-Installation-Mounting-Adhesive-0-31-0-39in/dp/B08F5G7SRQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2KSY3ASUYZJ43&keywords=led%2Bstrip%2Bmounting&qid=1671465532&sprefix=led%2Bstrip%2B%2Caps%2C1330&sr=8-6&th=1

Or pick your own poison :
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=led+strip+mounting&crid=2KSY3ASUYZJ43&sprefix=led+strip+%2Caps%2C1330&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
 

Additional note, this is my personal thing, but I prefer adding a fuse when it comes to that much strips. Just in case, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/MCIGICM-Inline-Fuse-Holder-Blade/dp/B081DHT8Y7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OM5GJJ5B43AO&keywords=fuse+holder&qid=1671466295&sprefix=fuse+hold%2Caps%2C427&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/BOJACK-Holder-Inline-Values-Assortment/dp/B0813Q4S6P/ref=sxin_14_ac_d_br?ac_md=4-3-Qk9KQUNL-ac_d_br_brs_brs&content-id=amzn1.sym.6e5839ef-173a-469e-9144-6369d9efedac%3Aamzn1.sym.6e5839ef-173a-469e-9144-6369d9efedac&crid=OM5GJJ5B43AO&cv_ct_cx=fuse+holder&keywords=fuse+holder&pd_rd_i=B0813Q4S6P&pd_rd_r=b5c4d9a9-6b49-4dda-b5f0-09db2b6f67a9&pd_rd_w=E4sUt&pd_rd_wg=w0GoH&pf_rd_p=6e5839ef-173a-469e-9144-6369d9efedac&pf_rd_r=5RTRD6XAD85YQM7EJVWF&qid=1671466295&sprefix=fuse+hold%2Caps%2C427&sr=1-4-66a9a48c-983d-48d6-91a8-55e5ebc7ab50

Additional item that you might want (since based on the pic you gave it looks like the strip will be fully exposed.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=led+strip+diffuser&sprefix=led+strip+diff%2Caps%2C474&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14

[Poinkachu]

Here's an example of a 12v 5050, single color, non waterproof led strip with and without a diffuser :

 

[Malbo]

Any recommendation on the actual led light brand to use? Looking for 120 LEDs/m. Don't need it to be any brighter than that.

[Poinkachu]

10 minutes ago, Malbo said:

Any recommendation on the actual led light brand to use? Looking for 120 LEDs/m. Don't need it to be any brighter than that.

Brand, idk. I'm kinda cheapskate so I just buy cheap stuffs in excess, and replace when needed.
IMHO, just buy whichever cheap.
I've used my cheap chinese one for like almost 2 years by now.

One note, try not to use them at full brightness all the time, it will make them last longer.