7 Common LED Strip FAILS and How To Avoid Them

[@victormiranda9136]

Imagine spending hours setting up LEDs and loving it... then seeing your room on the “what not to do” part 😂

[@elissakate]

What did you do?

[@rabidsmith5388]

Yeeeaaaaahhhh

[@jaycardona6924]

Lmfao

[@Elizabeth-nz6ws]

same

[@williammaes2026]

ikr

[@bsenka]

I was reluctant to get into using LEDs because I thought it seemed too complicated. After watching this video, I now know that it's far more complicated than I imagined.

[@jamesdonnelly7194]

Ikr 😞

[@saturncrush]

😂

[@elijahchin4733]

Don't listen to that guy. Do whatever is easiest for you.

[@bobswaget118]

honestly the only thing i recommend from this list is the channels and picking the right power supply, power supply one can be ignored if you dont plan on chaining 2 strips together.

[@yeemawheaver1387]

This man is just being nit picky. You don't have to do all of this unless you want to.

[@tyronechua451]

Take note!! This video is meant for professionals and interior designers who's main goal is to make their room look elegant and stylish, so if you're a teenager having fun and your lights ended up making it to the "What not to do" list, it's OK you're not a professional :))

[@eggplantforeskin1975]

Thank you for this i was getting a bit worried reading the comments before i started the video

[@aswerty911]

@@eggplantforeskin1975 Whew, I don't have to get a hack saw and some aluminum tubes!??!

[@ccnut9172]

@@aswerty911 lol feelin the same

[@Toxic_Goat15]

I barely got led for my tv and this video got me confuse. Idk even know how to connect them 😂

[@KytuzuMastema]

Lol, I just did it for my room up there. Then, rule 1 called me out lol

[@holohulolo]

It has 6.5m views but I find it surprising that not a lot in the comments are talking about how incredibly informative the video is,especially considering the title. Normally youd get the same amount of information from other channel in 5-7 videos. I mean if you dont care about hot soits or exposed led and think it looks better just ignore it. But stuffs like hot spots is something that an amateur might not even notice when setting up led strips. Great stuff.

[@joannekaiser1380]

I totally agree with you. I thought this video was I incredibly informative in helping to consider issues a person would never know to ask or address until it was too late. The video helped me decide LED lighting is doable.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

People might be watching this in quick succession to other LED guide videos, or in the process of setting up their LED's and aren't trying to spend more time than necessary to finish the project. But yes, the comment about hot spots is especially helpful. I just watched a video from someone else who installed a strip under their desk, but used the twist method at the corners. I already intended to buy channel strips for mine but had forgotten about corner connectors existing. I should go back and inform the person about them and put it in my comment. This way others will know that they exist and won't twist their LED's.

[@quinosonic82]

index 1. Exposed LED strip 1:04 2. Hotspots 2:48 3. LED strips don't need to be RGB 4:42 4. Choose the right power 5:59 5. Choose the right number of LED per meter (density) 7:08 6. Individually addressable LED 9:10 7. Spend a little extra to get better control 10:28

[@MeredithDomzalski]

Thank you!

[@olgaolgaaglo8386]

Thank you!

[@lunablackpink9603]

Tysm ❤

[@breannanunn1865]

Thank you!

[@Miabiediheihrurrrf]

u are god

[@insanejughead]

Holy shit... You gave us all the right info with absolutely no fluff, and it STILL took 12 minutes to get it all out there. Bravo, sir!

[@miamijim5964]

I love videos that just focus on the needed information... this is how it's supposed to be done.

[@brndto]

I was expecting a lot of pauses and slow talking but he does it in a continuous, readable(listenable?) speed.

[@aldo9564]

Insanejughead the alternative is usually a result of those “video personalities” liking to hear themself, usually A Lot more than We do ....

[@lightupswitchfan2902]

Not my problem is there

[@lisettegarcia]

I thought he spoke way too fast. I literally caught every sixth word - gross, hotspot, sagging disaster, adhesive fail, connector, rbg, diffused, fancy, etc...

[@aleksandar9873]

Thanks man! I followed your guide so I could help a friend when he was switching flats. Those 90 degree connectors are worth every penny. People loved how I did the job and I got payed to install led strips for 3 more people. You made me 150 euros, huge amount for a student and it didn't take too much time. I can't say thank you enough times.

[@ccatt93]

Did you run into any issues with those connectors? I grabbed a pack and Idk if the pins are lose but every so often I'll get a dim section or a section where the color doesn't exactly match

[@im_Spade_]

@@ccatt93 4 months late but I found the connectors are really shoddy, tried different brands but never trusted them to work. I either looped the LEDs or soldered jumper wires where needed.

[@KeenyNewton]

I didn't know that so much detail and variation existed within the LEDs. You've done a phenomenal job to keep the video interesting and 100% informative .. cheers

[@casperbieglecki1569]

Tomorrow is the end of the quarter and i have multiple large missing assignments, yet here I am, watching a tutorial on how to make something I don't even own look good.

[@doms2395]

Same my Ela grade is 69 “nice” and I have a 30 point assignment due tonight.

[@kiarapena1126]

Why are you calling me out rn

[@azmi1560]

ayoo sameeee lmfao

[@leesewhite258]

omgggg sameeeee lmaooo

[@auqoaakiauo9603]

bro same

[@Marizyth]

*talks about exposed leds* Me: looks at ceiling with exposed leds going all around it. Shut up hammock

[@pixelhype498]

Does it look good

[@elvanamuka5274]

@@pixelhype498 looks good at night when theyre on, I suggest govve smart led's bc u can control it with your phone but the price is about to go back up because prime day is almost over

[@pixelhype498]

Dash thanks about to buy them I’ve been looking for ones that have a good price and can control with my phone

[@asduhaisjdjasd]

omg bottom gear reference

[@vemleo1395]

I was gonna go for a haha react but rememberes im not on facebook

[@WilliePeck]

This was in my recommended and now I really want to get LED lights for my room

[@TechTune]

Wow me too

[@foulninjaplayz5297]

You should honestly consider tho its pretty cheap and it makes your room look more amazing

[@WilliePeck]

@@foulninjaplayz5297I'm definitely looking into it! I've already everything picked out it's just a matter of buying and installing everything lol

[@wishingwell_333]

I've been thinking about it and i was like :0 let me learn

[@Leonvolt28]

I'm using the sonoff L1 myself. It's an amazing led strip because everything you need is included with it. I have it placed under my desk and was previously using it with the ewelink app. I've now flashed it with tasmota to use it locally with home assistant. I can easily long press my light switch now to toggle the LED strip on and off.

[@craigeryjohn]

I'm late to comment, but something not mentioned here is where you tap into the strip to supply power. Ideally for longer runs you want your power to start in the middle of the strip so you don't get as big a voltage drop across the strip. You will need more current from your power supply, but it makes more consistent lighting and they're much less likely to fail.

[@mariaantonietabernal7542]

what length do you consider a longer run to be and also would you do two strips? one to one side on to the other? or how would you go about doing it in the middle?

[@ianvillaluz8279]

"You shouldn't have exposed LED strips" Tik Tok teenagers: We don't do that here.

[@bullydancer69]

So true lol

[@hayfordsarfo6623]

i literally only ordered my leds so i could look at them..

[@zrnnn]

I see most people put in on their ceilings and I was like why would you do that to your room?

[@glimmerell]

@@zrnnn i feel attacked here

[@zrnnn]

glimmeraep most people did lol. When I bought mine I thought about putting it on the ceiling instead the floor because of the doors I couldn’t go all the way around. But I was like I don’t want people to see them in the ceilings coz they look so ugly and cheap if they don’t reflect on something. I put them behind my bed and they look really good.

[@giulianamendoza13]

"How many times are you gonna use a color other than white" me: and I took that personaly

[@supermananimationsstudios8519]

Tik tok teenagers: Ugly blue and red

[@almostpaperboats4835]

Mine are always set to purple... oops.

[@keldonjohnson1]

michael jordan: and thats when i took it personally

[@sunsetzebra5546]

I got mine to cyan all the time it just best color In my room and the color gives off a peaceful feeling 😌👌

[@giulianamendoza13]

@@sunsetzebra5546 it's all fun and games until mom walks in and turns on the lights ;-;

[@AC8X]

"You don't have to have an electrical engineering degree." Me: * fastening an LED strip to the back of my electrical engineering degree *

[@dougscott6284]

AC4X Very true

[@AC8X]

I ended up just breaking out my soldering iron because, you know, EE degree.

[@martabubiak5768]

OK

[@mikehunt6946]

@@martabubiak5768 yikes, you're a little resentful. any STEM-field popularity should be celebrated.

[@AC8X]

@@martabubiak5768 glad you approve

[@EpicATrain]

I have been using LED strips for years in different projects and this has been an eye opening experience. A good portion I knew already but man, I've been doing this wrong all these years. lol

[@shelbzzz3705]

Him at the beginning: LED strip lights are super cool! Him on the first tip: LED strips are ugly.

[@aphr0d]

The lighting is amazing but the exposed strip isn’t that cute. It just looks like exposed wiring, not that neat

[@aphr0d]

@Jordin Camille and that’s fair! Taste is subjective. I don’t think either look particularly ugly or nice lol. Maybe it might look a little weird if it’s off but who cares.

[@simonsays1507]

@@aphr0d I agree. It looks like ur trying to flex it.

[@gabrielflores9565]

This was in my recommended and now I really want to get LED lights for my room

[@simonsays1507]

@@gabrielflores9565 make sure you put them whine something. To make it ILlimnate behind something.

[@robertpeschke7746]

Thank you for successfully un-inspiring me to do anything with LEDs

[@ajmalbinsalman2049]

Yea fr fr😂

[@sweetbrownsuga504]

🤣🤣🤣

[@AshTheGreatness]

😂 I was seeing who else was with me on this... I placed am order today and was excited and started watching this video and just canceled my order 🥴😂

[@sweetbrownsuga504]

@@AshTheGreatness I was in the middle of ordering and never resumed😂

[@saint2972]

Frfr

[@jangoreagas4857]

As someone who wants to set up his dorm room with lights , This video has given invaluable information. Thank You for this.

[@FullNelsonEats]

totally agree, and he doesnt over complicate it, just kinda lets you in a friendly and informative way

[@DJ2punto0]

I'm planing on doing some LED projects at home, your video was a HUGE help. Thank you very much for the tips!

[@ChadwickNHill]

Wow, dude. Where have you been all my life? You really answered a few vexing questions I've had about LEDs and LED strips in this one short, concise, WELL EXPLAINED and ORGANIZED video. Too many creators unleash a stream of consciousness in their videos due to either poor planning or writing or a maligned attempt to keep the video longer. You do none of that and I really do appreciate it. I'll definitely recommend your channel to others... Thank you sooo much.

[@aaronprasad214]

As someone trying to get my first LED installation right, this was a very powerful, informative video of pitfalls to avoid and general advice. Thanks man!

[@Cygore2012]

Same!

[@YellowPinkie]

But I might want my house to look like a cheap nightclub...

[@TheHookUp]

Haha, more power to you then!

[@YellowPinkie]

@@TheHookUp Actually, serious point; is there still a difference in LED drivers - constant current vs constant voltage, or has the technology settled down?

[@sergeyk9060]

@@YellowPinkie Sorry, im not a native speaker, please excuse my Engrish: for a 12V led strip you will need a 12V power supply with current regulation if you want to regulate the intensity of light. If you don't need to regulate the intensity, get any 12V power supply since led strips already have current limiting resistors (they look like tiny black bricks next to leds). Note that power supply should have at least 25% more power (Watts) than your led strip consumes. For example: for a 12V strip that consumes 1,5 Amperes get at least 12V 2A power supply(3A if that strip is usually used for extensive time to avoid overheating the power supply). Buuut don't listen to me or other youtube commentators or bloggers :D especially, if just now you had trouble converting VA => W. ask a local professional worker that does lighting(at least an electric) and will provide you with warranty.

[@sergeyk9060]

Since you want a night club, Note that RGB strips should have a controller that is either "built in", or should be in set with the strip.

[@Tony-tj5fs]

LED’s on the walls in bedrooms. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@hoyaV1]

Here’s a cheaper alternative: What you need: -3M double-sided tape -translucent scotch tape The 3M mixed with the LED’s adhesive make the sticking foolproof, and is easy to cut to size if you’re picky, while the tape dims the harshness. No need to spend so much and wait for it to come thru the mail

[@GreenEyedJade]

Omg this is a brilliant idea! Why didn’t I think of this?! Thanks for sharing.

[@hussammarzouk3159]

and how to use the scotch tape on the strip?

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

@@hussammarzouk3159 Over the top, as the dissipator to cut glare.

[@Birdborb4]

Would this be considered a fire hazard or no- seriously considering this

[@negotiable_terms1848]

​@@Birdborb4I don't think so but this video is complicated..

[@ashwalkerson1934]

It was kind of mentioned, but not explicitly: Keep in mind what kind of surface your LED's are going to be pointing at. If they are pointing to open air it's fine - but if they point directly at a reflective surface, you are more likely to 'see' the LED dots on your surface (eg. countertop). In that case, test them before mounting to see if the surface reflects the dots too much and if so, can you angle the LED strip? As in: instead of pointing straight down at your countertop from the underside of the cabinet, put them on the front lip pointing at the back wall - or if the backsplash is reflective too much, point them down - or if both counter and backsplash are showing the dots reflection, do the diffuser thing. Just something I had to contend with on my install.

[@dionh70]

In my upcoming installation, mine will be mounted on the top edge of crown molding, aimed upward into barrel-vaulted ceiling painted with eggshell finish paint. I'm guessing that I won't get much spotlighting effect thanks to the combo of the paint finish, curved reflecting surface, and the distance between strips and reflecting surface. Plus, I'm using the 45deg aluminum mounting channel without diffuser, but I plan to test the LED tape directly onto the crown molding first, so those clips he mentioned in the video might be vital.

[@rjeption]

This was really in depth for something to simple😭

[@jimewelsh]

Dude: How often are you going to want a color other than white? Me: Always!

[@beverlytate2669]

Duh. Who is this guy?

[@jamesonvparker]

Right?

[@kmiller0402]

Thank you for making this video. I am a low-voltage electrical engineer looking to branch out and your channel is very informative. ❤

[@rafaela8909]

Him:exposed LED lights are ugly Me who put them up like 8 minutes ago:👁👄👁

[@niyatisur3912]

oml same!!!! 😂😂😂

[@og_cooper1235]

did they fall tho

[@hunnies4600]

literally me

[@normanyyy2253]

LMAO SAME

[@crescentaeds]

omg same lmao

[@rubberonasphalt]

“Purple and gross”.. Me: I guess I’ll just switch colors then

[@ynmy4519]

@Harvest I got some from amazon from LEDpro and all of these fixes come in the box

[@desireeschmidt3722]

@@ynmy4519 can you drop a link?

[@KeithOlson]

A good video that covers a lot of the main issues I ran into when digging into LED lighting, but I honestly wasn't expecting you to miss some of these: 8. For longer life, *don't* use the rated voltage. A slightly lower voltage will barely be noticeable, but will *drastically* extend your LEDs' life expectancy. For example, a 19.5v laptop power supply can work pretty well with 24v strips; just match the power rating. Another option is to get a power supply that has voltage adjustment. You can also use a PWM motor/LED controller between the power supply and strips to adjust their brightness as needed. 9. When choosing LED's for your main source of light, all LED's are NOT equal. Look for a CRI rating of 90 or above for good *quality* light. (I once bought a 50W COB for a project. That LED is now sitting in my junk box because it gave everything a purple/green hue that was unbearable--the CRI was probably 60 or below. Instead, I now use the LED strips + dimmer that DIY Perks suggested and my living room is lit with sun-quality light even in the dead of night.) 10. For strips that need to be able to follow a bend, buy some aluminum flat bar stock from your local hardware store. You can bend it into any shape needed and cut it with regular woodworking tools, then attach the LED strip to it, using clips/epoxy/etc. as needed to ensure the strip stays in place. 11. Pro-level bonus: For even *better* light diffusion, use a 'light guide plate/sheet', which is an edge-lit sheet of acrylic/PMMA/etc. that has horizontal & vertical v-shaped grooves cut into the back of it to reflect the light towards the front surface of the sheet. (Some use dots, but they don't work *nearly* as well.) The grooves get deeper, wider, and closer together the farther they are away from each LED to maintain a uniform brightness across the entire surface. To prevent light from escaping out of the back, either reflective paint is applied to the back surface or a separate reflective plate is used. (This is the technology used in modern laptop backlights.) Please note that this is *NOT* something that your typical handyman can do a good job with; a CNC and a lot of time and money will be needed to ensure good uniformity. OTOH, you can buy the sheet and reflective backer from the usual Chinese suppliers.

[@TheHookUp]

Good tips Keith, I've actually never done #8 before, I always just use a PWM controller.

[@aldo9564]

Is it a “universal truth” that one needs to be willing to buy from chinese suppliers, to accomplished the discussed outcomes ? I have a personal bias Against buying from China, whenever possible. Even if the products are fundamentally produced in China, I Still was a US point of contact to resolve PROBLEMS

[@KeithOlson]

@@aldo9564 Of course not! If you wish to buy locally to support local business and have better assurance of a properly vetted product while understanding that it will cost substantially more, feel free! I encourage you to do a search for 'high CRI LED strip "made in USA" ' to locate such products.

[@aldo9564]

Keith Olson made in USA is not the primary objective, as I stated. It is Not buying from China direct. At least with a local “middleman”, you have recourse, for Notoriously Grossly misrepresented products. (Our) constant pursuit of CHEAPER is what has allowed China to be The World Economic Superpower that it is. If even 10% of consumers gave a second’s thought to that, perhaps the division of economic prosperity would be different. And ultimately, we might even (influence) China to becoming a civilized nation, where human rights are concerned.

[@brodriguez11000]

Have number 11. Didn't last long but the idea is sound. Might even help with the number one problem with LEDs vs incandescent and that's their point-source nature. It's hard to hide even with a diffuser. There's also the idea of using light pipes with LED source on one end.

[@User_PC_Loadletter]

extremely helpful. I just returned the led pucks to Lowes, and I am going to go with strips instead. Thank you for the advice!

[@g30ffm0rt0n]

I swear, this video popped up in my feed while I was contemplating LED strip lighting ideas for my office desk. The algorithm is telepathic, I tells ya!

[@nortonofnorthamerica]

I’m guessing you have you microphone permission set to “ on “

[@tomstonemale]

I just installed mine on the kitchen. I didn't google anything nor did I buy them online and somehow this video gets recommended to me despite never watching a video about LEDs. This sh*t is crazy.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

This is a fantastic professional straightforward no nonsense practical guide to using LED strips. It has been extremely useful in helping me make the right choices and avoid some cringeworthy mistakes. Thanks

[@annapatton4544]

This video just scared me away from led lights lol.

[@Mahi.12830]

@@annapatton4544 bro literally the same happened with me,,,, I ordered led lights and before they arrived I decided to watch how to apply and found this video and by the end of the video I cancled my order

[@bobbybeaugard7952]

What do you do when you install the lights and they come on and just keep blinking

[@lifehackertips]

4:01 those corner connectors leave a gap. Better option is leave the loop there and use black electrical tape to cover the extra LEDS so you still have one or two in the corner instead of zero

[@xxstrawberriesxx785]

Agreed

[@mardlack]

The hero we needed

[@mindsunwound]

Or to use the cable connector, and loop it and tack it down, most good tv bias kits use this method.

[@truongsinhtran-nguyen7129]

Physics students will yell "heat dissipation!"

[@FrozenBusChannel]

@@truongsinhtran-nguyen7129 yeah the tape will probably melt a bit

[@baronvonschnellenstein2811]

Really glad I found this video. It might be 2 yrs after you made it, but really appreciate the tips. Thanks heaps!

[@GEniusg1gi]

Talking about exposed led lights: Me looking up at my led lights on:

[@heyylollx5513]

has anything gone wrong with your lights because mine are coming today and they are going to be exposed😭

[@GEniusg1gi]

@@heyylollx5513 nope but if anything goes wrong tell me

[@heyylollx5513]

@@GEniusg1gi heyy, i just finished setting up mine rn and they look really good☺️😛!

[@heyylollx5513]

@@GEniusg1gi hopefully nothing goes wrong but if something does i’ll tell you😭

[@GEniusg1gi]

@@heyylollx5513 Mk😂

[@johnclark8759]

Great video thanks. I have a lesson learned to share. When mounting kitchen cabinet downlighting I used connectors to a cable so I could hop across the cooker hood with my own cable run. The problem is that the connectors get very very hot and this is because they are carrying the current for the majority of the kitchen. I don't have this problem at the start of the strip because it's a soldered connector. I've got around this problem by soldering onto the strip instead of using the connector but if I knew about the problem beforehand I'd have used the existing soldered connection at the start of the led run on the side of the cooker hood that had the longest run and only used the small clip on connector for the short run on the other side. TLDR: clip on connectors get hot if they carry a lot of LEDs so either solder your own connectors or carefully use the provided soldered connector at the start of the strip for your longest run.

[@TheHookUp]

Good advice. I've also had luck using the 90 degree connectors but then adding my own solder to the connections.

[@johnclark8759]

@@TheHookUp thanks, really enjoy your videos. Learning blue iris on reolinks because of you :)

[@bsemmel62]

Glad I watched this video. Very informative and it will help me plan my project in a way that will keep the cursing during installation to a minimum.

[@joannekaiser1380]

Extremely helpful and informative video. It helped to consider issues a person would never know to ask or address until it was too late. The video helped me decide LED lighting IS doable. I’ve always wanted to install LED strips under my kitchen cabinets. This video helped me decide to do the project. Thank you for taking the time to create the video.

[@BrazenHead76]

This video was packed with info. I appreciate all the knowledge that was shared. Very nicely put together, concise overviews, and presented in layman’s terms. Thank you!

[@TheLuvDiva-Azure]

This is the most helpful video I have seen for LED lighting installation! Thank you! I will be installing LED light strips inside my new RV. I prefer the soft glow over the overhead lights.

[@aeonjoey3d]

you're an ANGEL. I've been installing LED strip lighting in trade show booths and furniture for years and it's AMAZING how all of these are mistakes that happen without close supervision, it's like people can't comprehend what will happen, I'm sharing this video with my team so they can share with internal clients. THANK YOU!

[@JesseGomez927]

Very informative, this guy knows his stuff. After watching his video I did my homework and asked a few electricians as well. We were all pretty impressed. Thanks for giving it to me straight. Awesome tutorial.

[@larzy2007]

I’ve installed 1/4 round upside down 6” to a foot below the ceiling, then laid the led strip on top. It eliminates seeing the LEDs and the constant pull of the tape from gravity. You’ll need to solder wires to the corners where I cut to fit or you’d need the 90’s shown in the video. Great video!!!

[@CloaknDagger]

Can I see a picture of this? Sounds cool! Thanks man

[@LyenFish]

Man... I didn't need to learn anything about LEDs but this was so interesting and well put together; thank you.

[@shawnm4759]

"Remotes are bad and Apps are worse and will probably get used even less than the remotes. Here's an alternate solution to those" : *Proceeds to show an app* :

[@pianolexcat7387]

i plan to get lights for my brother's room and use the app to mess with him lol

[@gabesnead4725]

Bluetooth apps are worse, wifi apps are better

[@lukesmith8792]

WiFi apps are better and WiFi lights can be controlled from anywhere, so long as the WiFi is working at home

[@jpd1592]

Haha 😆

[@jpd1592]

Luke Smith good to know 👍🏽

[@chibicitiberiu]

For addressable LEDs, there is plenty of software already written. My recommendation would be to use WLED which is a great piece of software that runs on a ESP8266 or ESP32 compatible boards (these are low cost WiFI enabled boards, great for projects like this). WLED has a huge number of options and effects, and is very easy to setup.

[@TheHookUp]

WLED is great, I specifically recommended it in this video.

[@Bowsa]

I installed my LED's today all exposed at my ceiling 4 hours long. Been really proud if it & the light looks good, just to get told I would be on the how not to do it list. lol Jokes aside I really love the colored light they reflect & I like looking at them. The vibe is still 100x better :D

[@Nick-tm2sw]

If you like it thats all that matters. Don't let some person on youtube that is never going to see them tell you that you did it wrong.

[@Sunnygrr]

And pls don't look for 2 hours straight into led lights xp

[@JT_70]

Great info and details! I had not even thought about overlapping the joints in the aluminum channel with the diffuser. I installed white LEDs in aluminum channels with diffusers under our kitchen cabinets. I also added single color LED strips around the deck (red LEDs) and and under the dash on my boat, white LED strips in each storage compartment and blue LEDs in the live well. They are incredibly helpful and draw lots of positive comments (lust!). Bought everything from Amazon. I found that the white snap connectors can fail and are a pain to install when used with waterproof LED strips. Instead, I cut the strips and soldered them with 22ga tinned wire at every 90 degree turn. Result - no hot spots and no dim or unlit spots.

[@idriveanagerar]

One of the best setups I did for someone was lining the side of crown moulding/framing of a window with a warm led strip. The moulding around the window was just a little thicker than the width of the led strip, so it fit perfectly with just enough room to spare. It was about 16 feet in total; so up one side, across the span, and then down the opposite side, and down to a smart outlet (connected to wifi controls and etc) and it looks awesome. It’s just enough light and it disperses nicely around the window and onto the wall. Plus the strip is dimmable so it can be as bright as needed.

[@zuzanaberankova1283]

Upon unboxing, I was immediately upset at how the rails were very noticeably bent. But I kept going, all tools needed to assemble were included kzbin.infoUgkxqtX4Dxs6aecAZEuz6GY5-d81YecKCshn and I had it set up in about 30 minutes. Honestly I love this thing, make sure to read the measurements and measure your space so you know if it'll work for you. I bought this to put inside my closet, underneath where I hang my clothes and it is absolutely perfect! It is VERY sturdy and all drawers glide easily and mine are stuffed, and they are still flush when closed.

[@liegelord135]

Thanks for commenting on something entirely unrelated to the subject of this video. It was very informative 😂

[@edilsonfb]

This is video is mandatory for everyone into led strips universe. Thanks for sharing it!

[@douglasroberson]

Thanks, Rob! I've never put the time into LED strips that I really should, just basically slapped them up and hoped for results. This is great advice for people exactly like me!

[@smittyslawncare4836]

Me who's already put mine up and was happy with them until this point

[@babyn3mo]

😂😂😂

[@lacystrelec1042]

Thanks for this helpful video. I was hoping you would also explain how to hide the transformers. I read: "Installation of LED strip lighting requires a step down transformer most commonly down to 12v. The transformer must be accessible for future replacement and never tucked behind a sealed section of your ceiling or walls. Hard wiring is required." So where does one hide the transformer? I live in Costa Rica, where we build homes with cinderblock and rebar. How do I hide the transformers to gain access if one fails? Where do you hide them in millwork? Where do you hide them in concrete steps? Thank you!

[@andypaulusma3523]

Great video! For the LED strip connectors, make sure you buy the one for your width of LED strip. I made this mistake in my kitchen, bought 12mm connectors and wire only to find out my strips were actually 10mm. Guess I'll be sure to order 12mm strips next time so I can use up those connectors.

[@nimkal]

I never thought I would learn this much about LED strips in my whole life. Thank you for this really informative video it was pretty cool. I may use LED strips with the aluminum casings on the corner of my work-from-home space.

[@jurgenkoks9142]

LeL

[@philipp1960]

yeah, one mistake I made (and you didn't mention, i think) is that led (aluminium) channels are available in different depth. Most people probably choose non-transparent / opaque cover, but if the channel is not deep enough, the individual lights are still visible. Best if ordered at a place that knows about this.

[@davidmartinez5793]

Dude you are missing a lot of potential revenue. Watching your video the first thing I did was click the description to find a link to buy. You have no affiliate links. You should be linking all products. It helps your wallet and helps your viewers…

[@notsofamousdex9777]

I just realized this was my high school chemistry teacher.....

[@TheHookUp]

Haha

[@iivalsxmmer4742]

LMFAO FR

[@Sekir80]

At least he didn't cook meth. Or did he?! :D

[@brianonwonga8315]

@@Sekir80 I see what you did there😂

[@keldonjohnson1]

@@Sekir80 Walter white

[@ddot196]

Currently working on a custom closet and just installed LED strips throughout the cabinets. The LED strips are definitely ugly but the wife wanted them. Thanks to this video I ordered some of those diffusing channels. That looks sooooooooooo much better and more professional looking than the good strips exposed. Thanks for the tip!

[@saucygamer6336]

Alternate title: How to make your LED installation more expensive.

[@awtismo]

Saucy Gamer well most of them are worth it

[@andycopeland7051]

Turns out it takes a little money to keep your amateur project from looking like hacked, hammered dogshit

[@johanness6545]

Absolute bs lmao, most of this stuff can be done for nothing/barely nothing

[@Juanmaligno]

The added atuff like the things that hold them up and the corner connections are rrally cheap lol i cant believe I was able to do it myself

[@melindak6472]

Haha yess 😂

[@JWildberry]

Don't call it a fail just because it doesn't suit your personal decorating taste. The selling point of LED strips is that it can be used to illuminate anything from a toddlers room to a 90 year old's room without taking away from the intended style. The dot-light style is very much an intended expression.

[@evanwhittaker5287]

Honestly if it's in your room and you like it, WHO CARES!😂

[@ArendPerez247]

Fr though

[@Raven-bz8kl]

Super Fang it isnt like people r gonna be walking in n out of ur room like a museum 😭

[@carsonmcnamer5321]

Sounds like someone is insecure about their led’s

[@evanwhittaker5287]

@@carsonmcnamer5321 lmao how is that even possible just take them down if you don't like them

[@carsonmcnamer5321]

@@evanwhittaker5287 it was a joke lol I meant it sarcastically. As in implying you are making up reasons for why you don’t like yours. I 200% agree with you I was just making fun 🤣

[@pstreicher]

I have been looking at those aluminum channels for over a year now. You nailed it!

[@retalus]

One thing to also keep in mind is power. Your strip must have power somewhere and outlets don’t exist where you usually want them. Most of the time, the power supply will be (relatively) close to the outlet (maybe ground level?) but your strips won’t (maybe up near the ceiling?). In that case, you can either run the LED up the wall or wire your own power cables to meet the start of the perimeter.

[@jason8283]

This was the most informative video I've come across and answers so many questions. Thank you for posting!

[@Red88Rex]

Thank you, probably the most informative and comprehensive video on LED light strips.

[@RVSparky]

Ive done quite a bit of LED lighting over the years. The biggest thing I found was to reduce the voltage just a bit. From 12V to like 11.5. Yes you loose a bit of light but they will run cooler and last much longer. I think a lot of this stuff especially all the china stuff they are pushing the LED's too hard to get the maximum light output. Now im not certain as haven't played much with the addressable lights yet. Just started. But for general static color stuff like cabinetry lighting a bit less volts helps a lot. Just my 2 cents worth. Cheers :)

[@Green4321]

Dumb question: How do you achieve a lower voltage?

[@RVSparky]

@@Green4321 Use a power supply that has adjustable voltage. Or add an adjustable regulator.

[@suburbannerd5586]

Not accounting for the power cables. That's caused some domestic tension in my house.

[@aphr0d]

Loooool I hope everything is alright now

[@kevinwaycaster]

Actually snorted when i read this. Soooo true!

[@christinaw9807]

Thank you! Im having some of these problems with installing leds. I didn't know these jumpers, clips, etc. existed. Now i can do this right!

[@thomaswalz3515]

I'm a noob.... I just discovered all this LED wizardry... Thanks for the tips. I just want to start out with lighting over my welding workbench in my shop. I'm old, need brighter lighting... I also have a clearance issue with a door, and have about an inch of space between the door and ceiling... I deconstructed a LED shop light, mounted the strip and power supply. It works great... but the strip blinks... something is wrong... The systems you describe do appeal to me... this is going to be fun.

[@krollgrend1888]

Thanks for the read sir. I enjoyed. I like the way you type. Like its thoughts.

[@MasterBadass]

Good call on the heat issues. I literally bought LED channels because my 6500k LEDs kept turning yellow. Took me about 6 months to realize they were BURNING to that color for under cabinet lights (attached to wood). The channels fixed the heat issues and look more professional. Also the waterproof strips are horrible for long use.. LEDs will burn under the silicone.

[@faremir]

There are even flat aluminium "channels" just to make the heatspread better and they can be easily bent (just be aware not to push too much as thay can also easily break). So in case you'll ever need exposed strip, I would recomend for the channel either way.

[@HoosierNewman]

@XBASZ don't run them at full bright. I hope you're not trying to replace standard lighting with LED Strips

[@DriftForgeDiscord]

When he said “How often are you going to have color other than white” I felt personally attacked

[@amiranda4005]

Lmao 😂

[@Loreurka]

I swear this is the whole point of the LED strip, especially RGBIC ones, my living room looks like a cheap nightclub and that s awesome

[@bladeoftheruinedking2543]

M

[@melindak6472]

Oh lol

[@Sapphire_Ace]

@@Loreurka exactly. Most people get the led strip for the colors, not so it can be white. Most of us already have white lights in our houses.😂😆

[@JagiChan]

Nicely explained 👌. I love the addressable LEDs too.

[@jackcoleman69]

Me just slaps them on the wall and doesn’t care if there “exposed”

[@ot7biasedmashups]

It doesn't even look bad

[@_festival]

*they're

[@wirebandz9586]

Big facts

[@officialWWM]

Harvest spammer!

[@officialWWM]

Harvest then you're the worst kind of spammer...

[@dominarican2228]

I couldn't figure out what the LEDs I was looking for were called. This is the exact information I was looking for. Thanks for the info!

[@nivk_Yt]

Who’s watching this after Christmas

[@beeeettll]

yeeeeaaa i got some for christmas

[@a1xace655]

Me bc its 3 am and im bored

[@davidedouble_d1673]

@@a1xace655 same

[@santimeek5063]

Who actually fucking cares

[@Strawbs..mp4]

Me I got them for Christmas

[@ludekbest3757]

Been out of high school for 12 years now and Mr. Tait is still teaching me things.

[@TheHookUp]

Ludek! You still doing the mechanic thing?

[@ludekbest3757]

@@TheHookUp I worked as a car mechanic for ten years then I did aircraft mechanic for almost four and now I’m a trucker :D

[@jareda8943]

this video was a gold mine holy cow

[@BioToxin]

I recently bought 4 strips, didn't realize 2 of them had the silicone covering which also makes them a little more snug in the aluminum channels, my tip is really think about your layout first and consider your options like vertical or floor mounted everyone's instinct is downward facing and or ceiling mounted instead of corner or diagonal and curved, I also recommend the cct strips for dedicated whites and the awesome gelid zigbee controller for pairing with Alexa, because just telling her to set light color and brightness I change scenes all the time and presets for mood lighting, work lighting, cinema or gaming, the power is addictive and so easy

[@zelevfsolrac]

K. . HIHO

[@user2C47]

Zigbee is no longer acceptable due to security concerns.

[@sisterpete]

GREAT Video!!! I'm an installer and i agree with everything you've said here. Very informative and very user friendly i would say. Great Job!!!

[@eugene188]

I always thought there was something wrong with the LEDs people have up on their ceilings. this video perfectly addresses whats wrong with it. now it totally makes sense.

[@EsotericArctos]

A note on the adhesive strip. Although clips are best, some brands work well. I have purchased a heap of strips from BTF lighting and I was pretty shocked as after 3 years, the adhesive still has not let go at all, both on the TV and under the kitchen cabinets. Just an option if clips are not possible. :) Thanks for a great video Rob.

[@JoshuaLinn]

Yes, the govee lights we have come with 3M and they have been attached for 2 years with no sign of drooping.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Yeah I can't cheap out on tape ,it'll be hard to fix, the wiring on mine is going to be hidden for the most part. 3m gray double sided adhesive is awesome and what is used for badges and trim on a car at the OEM level. I'm just putting a strip under the bed rail of a truck.

[@NoCluYT]

I think this video is meant for professionals. Not for teens trying to make tik toks for their 12 followers😂😂

[@10MILLIONcreeperplushies]

I'm not a professional and I don't have tik Tok. I only want them because they look really cool and I got money from my birthday to spend. Plus I've been using a bunch of old Christmas lights so it's nice for a change.

[@fuelmc959]

Yeah i hate tiktok and im a teen lmao

[@Mr.Helper.]

Savage

[@HerreDePerre]

@@fuelmc959 omg you are so cool. You also led zeppelin fan?

[@fuelmc959]

@@HerreDePerre ???

[@kpapi4355]

Well made and high quality tutorial! You really mentioned every single thing you need to know about led-strips.

[@Happymrsnowman]

Love the video, great advice and tips! Hard disagree on the remotes vs smart switches/apps though. Apps are planned obsolescence and as your amazon echo/google home etc become old and obsolete your gear will crap out. A cheap remote may be cheap and flimsy but its very easy to replace, and will work "indefinitely" as long as you have a fresh battery. Keep it simple.

[@matthewjones9528]

There are some great tips but i just want to add that daisy-chaining 3 X 10m strips together from a single power supply is a bad idea - even at 24VDC with the correct wattage. 10m is usually the max run length for a 24VDC RGB strip. Forget 5V and 12V strips - you'll definitely burn them out quick with that advice. that being said, power should "home run" to each strip instead - even if it's from a single source of power for multiple strips (when using the correct wattage). Daisy-chaining is only acceptable when the maximum lengths for the fixture and lead wire length/gauge are not exceeded.

[@demonicmaleficentviciously140]

Now i know how to turn my room into the GTA stripclub! thanks man!!!

[@azaanbot3333]

...

[@waterguy7463]

Lmao

[@PeterScargill]

Hi I've watched some of your stuff - I'm sure you've seen some of mine as well - I tend to focus more on the tech blog than my videos. THIS is the first video I've watched with decent tips on the ATTROCIOUS adhesive that comes with LED strip (which I use all the time. Sometimes it just needs someone to trigger you off). I have of course already stocked a load of those corner pieces... but I'd never thought to use the mounting clips. As for white, yes, RGB makes attrocious white - and I think among the people I've chatted to, far moer perfer warm to cold white - personally I' never use cold white except in a bathroom - so warm white all around for me. Thanks for the video.... Pete

[@terrygooglewassgoogle1767]

With regard to the adhesive on LED strips, I've found it works far longer if you really clean what your sticking it to. I use isopropyl alcohol and it does a great job. This doesn't stop the adhesive degrading/failinf over time of course.

[@batziii8745]

Also, consider Wire resistance. The Strip mentioned with 120 W and 24V will draw 5 Amps, at least over the shared + Wire. So when installing, use a proper Wire diameter.

[@Zockerjimmy]

At first i read "Also, consider Wife resistance" and was like, uh damn what happened? xD

[@jpdemer5]

@@Zockerjimmy "Consider wife resistance" is excellent advice.

[@WizardOfWhoopee]

Wow, they've come a long way since I bought my clear rope light in 1997.

[@berndeckenfels]

Instead of Daisy chain two long runs make sure the power supply is in the middle and connect multiple strips directly to it, that reduces conductivity losses of the long strips.

[@marcxx131]

aaarggghhhh i wish you handn't said that .. i have 30 foot long run for my kitchen and was going to put at one end ... back to the drawing board ..

[@DoorisJ]

They also have IR WiFi controllers... you just have to train your specific remote and have it aimed at towards the strip

[@ldmatheson]

Can you point me at a tutorial on how to do that?

[@NFSHeld]

One very important detail in connection with non-white LEDs are the shadows. Each light source will cast a separate shadow, and the individual R, G and B LEDs of a single RGB spot are necessarily not in the same physical location. The are VERY close, but obviously not ON TOP of each other. Now imagine you have illuminated a room with an RGB strip set to (fake RGB-)white, and open the door to it just a little bit. In the other room, the floor will have rainbow-like colorful shadows, because for each LED, there's a slightly different angle from which a particular R/G/B LED of any RGB-spot can be seen. So when the individual colors of a wall-mounted spot are ordered R-G-B, the area on the other room's floor that gets illuminated by that spot will look blue-cyan-white-yellow-red. This effect gets stronger the thinner the slit is. Something similar happens at the border of each objects' shadow, which becomes more noticable the thinner an object is. The floor behind a bead curtain looks awful (or spectacular, depending on your taste) when backlit by an RGB-LED strip.

[@tommercer1406]

Thanks :D. Good to know I've completely unintentionally installed my LED strip perfectly

[@Yet_Another_Steve]

Once I've stuck down my strips and I'm happy with the layout, I go over them with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, which makes them stick much, much better.

[@inder.6091]

... be careful with that im not to sure if this a serious comment or not but too much heat can kill your leds just try to direct the airflow if you are doing this and dont hold it there too long (even if they are not powered heat can still destroy them)

[@Yet_Another_Steve]

@@inder.6091 Good point, thank you. The adhesive needs to be softened to allow better adhesion, so a warm setting on a hairdryer (not a heat gun) is enough, or a quick blast on hot. You don't want to melt anything...

[@clementl-c6995]

Thanks to this video I set up a nice automated light in my living room and office. Your video on wireless cameras helped set up surveillance on my driveway. As a new home owner your channel is all I needed to "smartify" my house.

[@portaadonai]

Wow man, as an electrical contractor, I completely absorbed each and everything you said in this video. I will be bringing these options to future customers thanks for the valuable intel