Exploring and hacking some mains RGB strip.

This was a difficult question to word, Is there an ideal way to utilize your RGB controllers? I've decided to use a constant current buck converter on each of the three colors for my 3 watt RGB 6 pin leds. The question, should I wire these leds in groups of 3-series leds or keep them all in parallel with individual resistors like the blinking blue projects.

Jim

One of the reasons i ordered your (Knob Based RGB Controller) was to have a better chance of calibrating the white temperature/color or warmth. Then I wasted an hour trying to design a schematic that utilized my pile of common cathode rgb leds. I eventually realized I needed the six pin RGB led bulbs to maintain control over the individual colors with your wonderful controller. if I may, how do the fairgrounds wire their RGB leds with this controller? series high power leds?

Jim

There's a knack to terminating it properly. You have to be aware of loose strands poking out and warm the plastic slightly to get the spikes to go into the wire ends easier.

Big Clive

I bought a strip with a similar controller and managed to stuff the connector in slightly wonkily - cue a loud bang and smoky black controller when plugged in - very easy to short! Exciting

Saladman

That was an interesting exploration and experiment to be sure! Clive you explained it beautifully and created a "temporary hack of elegant simplicity". I think this also shows that hardware hacking cheap stuff has its perils and pitfalls even for the experienced wayfarer! Not only were the wire colors wonky, but they used not copper coated aluminium wire, but copper COLORED aluminum wiring, which is stepping up their game a notch. The thin tape on the seams isn't a bad idea for adding some more moisture resistance I suppose. Yes, lovely time thank you!

Michael Thompson

How does the microcontroller survive having a pin be at AC line voltage? I thought even at high impedance, any CMOS device would fry. Is that incorrect, or is this a special-purpose chip with some kind of crazy buffer on that one pin?

Jeremy Impson

The 12V strip can be cut at shorter distances and is less flickery. If you get a 5m roll you will have spare for routine replacement as it ages.

Big Clive

The low voltage stuff allows you to cut it at shorter distances. Check my other videos for LED neon.

Big Clive

It's full wave rectified AC. So two humps per cycle.

Big Clive

I need a string like this to replace some RGB tape i picked up from Lidl last year, it's used as accent lighting along a shelf with the wife's decorations on it. She changes the color according to the season. We just let it run 24/7, makes for a nice night light. Enjoyed the explanation of how phase angle control works, might have to watch that section a couple times.

Looking at the versions we get locally I see that a slightly less insulated version is cheaper. I note that the title says waterproof and the body says "use in the kitchen but not near the swimming pool". I presume Chinese kitchens don't have sinks in them? https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/240V-RGB-LED-Strip-220V-SMD-5050-Waterproof-Commercial-Rope-Light-AU-plug-1-100m/293033447919?hash=item443a2791ef:g:KWsAAOSwZwxa2vVp

Moz in Oz

That is some chonky tubing, but it looks nice. I need to get some to make a Cyberpunk "neon" sign before the game comes out, it would be perfect.

Myrk

Don't you mean 50HZ in the UK and 60HZ in the USA?

Charles Bruckner

They emit sideways and bounce the light to diffuse it. The downside is lower efficiency than the spotty forward facing LEDs.

Big Clive

The hot wired Rectifier worked much better than I expected I expected very flickery lights without smoothing

Nice effect those LEDs make very neon effect.