Non-Addressable RGB LED Strip Hookup Guide

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Contributors: bboyho
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Large Installation

For large installation projects, there may be voltage drops depending on the:

  • amount of LEDs connected
  • length of LED strip used
  • how bright the LEDs are set
  • animation

You may notice LEDs not able to fully turn on after a certain length due to the voltage drop. This is due to the increased resistance as you move further away from the power supply. You may notice that not all the colors are turned on or the strip becomes dim. You can also check the voltage after each meter using a multimeter to see if there are any voltage drops if you are not able to visually see the voltage drops. If you see voltage drops and the LED strip not properly turning on, you will need to inject power with the power supply between each LED strip's Vcc and GND after about 1, 2, or 5 meters.

Long lengths of LED strips can also pull a lot of current when fully turned on. If you are using a high amperage power supply with long lengths, make sure that there is enough air flow, a heat sink to dissipate the heat properly, and the wires can support the amperage. You may want to lower the brightness setting.