Why can't I extend my RGB LED strip? (weak trial connection?)

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pretzelz

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Hi all,

I have a RGB strip (5050) which I'm trying to extend with another short offcut. I don't (yet) have a proper plastic connector, it's in the post, to link the two ends together. However even after lining up the four metal connectors where the strips meet, and pressing them on-top of each other (in various ways, over/under/bentdouble) I'm unable to make the extension offcut light up. I'm pretty sure I've got the orientation the correct way around, the 12v and R,G,B writing is aligned. The offcut also comes from the same ordered RGB strip (2x5meter).

I tried with another offcut, similarly, and no luck.

Is it just the case that the connections need to be damn good where the strips join, or am I missing something?

(photos attached, showing the two strips I'm attempting to connect, separated with gap in the photos)

Many thanks
 

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Soldiered my joins , doubt you could hold the two section together successfully to test.
 
The copper contacts are only on the top, so you have to connect the two top parts the same way around to both strips.

Therefore pushing them on top means the connections are the wrong way around, underneath means there’s no connection etc.

You can solder tiny pieces of cable between them but you may as well wait for the proper connectors
 
As Iggifer has said, the contacts on these are only on the top and not the underside of the strip. Pushing them together one on top of the other means no contact will be made.

I have used these as discrete under-cupboard kitchen worktop lights in my kitchen (RGBW) and had to solder very thin pieces of automotive wire between the strips.

I see you seem to be putting these in a car, what are your intentions?
 
Thanks all for your replies.

I did try removing the film from underneath that may cause issues. I also tried bending over the end contacts (of main strip) and pressing this on-top of the extension contacts, with no luck. However, I'll await the straight plastic RGB connector (£1 off ebay) and hope that solves this problem.

As for the led strips in the car, aye, I'm a big kid at heart, and as unsophisticated as it may look during the day (if inspecting closely) at night (or from 4pm these days) the car is now illuminated around the interior base perimeter, colour/brightness changeable. Even the mum and wife like it! We also keep the lights on if driving during the day inside, so at a glance you just see coloured lights rather than taped-on led strips.

I also want to line a strip under the car both sides, (beneath the doors) but not immediately sure how to get from the interior footwell (led controller) down and under. (For another thread)
 
Whatever happened to that law about not having inside lights on while driving?
 
flameport said:
Car electrical systems do not operate at 12V, so unless there is some form of regulation included with the controller, they may not last very long.

Typical car voltage is around 14V with the engine on.
Click to expand...
The LED tape in the back of my van has been working fine direct from the battery for at least 18 months, more like 2 years in reality - no failures.
 
Iggifer said:
The LED tape in the back of my van has been working fine direct from the battery for at least 18 months, more like 2 years in reality - no failures.
Click to expand...
Same here. Replaced the lights in the back of my Transit with white LED tape around 2 years ago and they still work fine.
 
Even if you get it working - that's gonna look crap!
It's also very likely to be damaged easily.
 
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