How To Install Under Cabinet LED Strip Lights with LIFX Z Strips

[@CraigsTechTalk]

🔴 CHECK OUT 🍿 Install TV LED Backlighting the “Correct Way” - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qniZpoSVeqaib7s 🍿 TOP 10 Smart Home Devices For Alexa and HomeKit! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnrEanaHm9dgZqc

[@DiamondKing4SnJCustoms]

I have that exact same tape measure

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That’s funny that you noticed it.

[@Wakeywhodat]

11:34 Well said.. For those that don’t like the dip you could notch out the bottom lip to keep the LED strip flat on the cabinet bottom without damaging the structure of the cabinet. If you don’t like to see The reflection of each individual LED on the countertop you can mount the LEDs in an aluminum channel and use a diffuser. I plan on installing extra outlets where needed inside the cabinets and hide the wires up there. It’s not too difficult to add an outlet directly above an existing outlet on the backsplash. Nice job!

[@dc7502]

Haha what diffuser have you found that actually works with the Lifx Z strip?

[@jojobrown1717]

I was putting off doing the kitchen cabinet lighting. Thank you so much for the inspiration and direction.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool. Thank you JoJo. Good luck on your kitchen cabinet lighting. I hope your project goes well and you aren’t cursing me for encouraging you to start it. 😀👍

[@F_K3NT_D]

I just installed new cabinets on a separate section area I’m calling an extended kitchen and am planning to use these lights. Trying to get ideas on what to do about the joints and I may try your solution before drilling 7/16 holes between ask of them. Thanks for the video.

[@harryp1665]

A great idea, your already drilling through the cabinets, I would have notched the bottoms so the lights lay flat. Just me, thanks for sharing.

[@MooseWRX]

Would it have been possible to drill the the supports at the bottom of the cabinet and try to route/line the LEDs up to minimize the effect them being passed through it (I'm hoping this is easy enough to understand, it made sense in my head)? Great video as always!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That’s another good option. The only downside would be the shadows created by running through the wood. It doesn’t seem like a lot LEDs would be covered but 1-2 LEDs on each side would create a shadow from the drop down. As a lighting designer, the dips in intensity would big me more. But for others the dip under would bug them more. Thanks for sharing this as an option.

[@babbit_janeway]

This is a project I am putting off too in my kitchen as well with my Hue strips - I've only got only got two power points in my kitchen (I wish I had the amount you do!) so I just need to figure it out how to run it all because under cabinet strip lighting is such a vibe. Great video as always, thanks Craig!

[@TumbleweedTom]

Use led strip aluminum tracks for a nice clean straight install. No dipping and dodging.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I thought about that, but the track would have to come down to the lowest point. The dip now is on the edge if you are sitting down to eat. The track may make it too visible. I may order some and try it for another video.

[@neverman3398]

Yeah ngl, I’m really surprised that he didn’t use track. Not only does it give that pro look to it, it also defuses the led lights better.

[@Chaucer89]

@@CraigsTechTalk any issues with homekit/mdns on your mesh network?

[@techwithneekster]

I did this with Govee's RGBWW strips, and it's been awesome! I made a video about it, but it's really changed the way I use my kitchen.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool. Have to check it out.

[@DHSFEMA]

Hey thanks for the reminder of the microwave plug that I could use, great video and I appreciate it

[@iridium.090]

Great video. I’m doing this hopefully this upcoming week. I’ll be doing both top and bottom of the cabinets and I’ll be powering the led driver with my island lights. The driver I’m using says it’s compatible with my existing dimmer switch

[@Deadmanvlogs1992]

Hither love your videos really helped me out with our house now I want to do something simular to my teardrop as I want a rgb setup in their

[@b-n-nd9568]

Thanks for sharing your installation method. Question: What happens if the house gets sold? Will there be a provision for the new owners to be made aware of the app.?

[@MrFrosty888]

Amazon has these adaptor to allow to go around corners for these strips they are awesome

[@davideyres955]

If you were happy drilling into the cabinet then I would have been tempted to take the led strip up and between the cabinets to avoid the drop between. Small multi tool to create a flat hole. Then you can use aluminium led strips to cover the route up into the cabinet. Personally I would be looking at addressable strips and split and solder them together. Use a dig uno and wled. Probably could have got away with a single power supply and injecting power if the runs were long. You’d only need 3 cables between the cabs so probably less than an 1/8th inch hole. I think the drop would set off my OCD too much, especially with your nice shiny counter tops. In the UK we have kettles what produce lots of steam so I think the adhesive would give up before too long. I already have some rgb+ww twin strip led lights and have a similar problem with the route between the cabinets so will have to use wires and I’d already bought the strips a while back otherwise I would be doing the addressable route. Good video btw.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks David for sharing your thoughts. I can completely see and understand what you are saying. My reasons that does not work is a strict no modifying the cabinets for me to play with LEDs. Drilling a hole in the corner is one thing. Doing the multi tool is a great idea and something I though about. It’s a great idea in the right hands. My amateur hands would chew it up in 5 different places. As for what I use, it’s important for my channel to share products and ideas that are easily available and to use. I want a smart home that works with all 3 assistants and has good color. You tend to sacrifice something in the mix. The LIFX satisfies all the wants with an easily consumer product. As for the OCD, I am with you. I am thinking of mounter the aluminum track but at the height of the drop down. Then make little blocks to make up the drop. I think it will improve the look. It will diffuse the LEDs and the channel will block light from being seen out the sides of the LED. Thanks for watching and sharing a great way to do it.

[@alyssawilberg2535]

Omg thank you for this suggestion! I wanted to put mine in tracks and was going crazy over those ridges between cabinets

[@superskoolie]

If you moved the "dips" forward a little bit as they went over the edges, closer to the front from the rest of the lights, would that not cause the reflection to be an optical illusion of being straight altogether? Just a thought.

[@JasonNpos]

I’ve had LIFX Z strips under my kitchen cabinets fir about a year, but they’ve stopped responding. Won’t connect to the network. From what I’ve found online, it seems that it’s been ruined by a firmware update. I’m wondering if I can get a replacement controller box.

[@futbol1972]

Iam debating between buying the RGBW strip or just the black and decker lights to install under kitchen cabinets?

[@oneshotjay]

I've just found your channel and came from the LIFX v Govee LED comparison. A feature we'd love to implement is the music reaction with LIFX or any commercial unit for that matter. As a pro, what do you recommend? I'm obviously not looking at budget units. I have seen talks of WLED software etc, but I'd love to hear your pro opinion. Here or DM if you prefer. Great channel man!

[@angellas.1314]

What was the tiny vacuum you used there? BTW. you could also have used a multi tool to cut tiny little grooves into the cabinet bottoms. Still looks great.

[@ronm6585]

Hey Craig, thanks.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you again Ron for the support.

[@zoellr135]

Do you happen to have the link for the 10 foot extension cable you bought? I have tried one from online before and it didn't quite fit right.

[@kenn2347]

Hello, i have 2 banks of cabinets on each side of a range hood. Is there a splitter for this or do i have to purchase 2 of them. I have power above the hood. If i have to purchase 2, are they controlled at the same time with the App?

[@melissamartinez7877]

Looks Great Craig!! Thanks for sharing.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Melissa. I really appreciate that. You are welcome. Have a good day.

[@Joseph-ko2kl]

Nice video Craig, You could have went a different way and get to that 100% solution though. (IMO). You could have used SK6812 RGBW, cut them where you wanted and simply soldered them back together. You could have drilled a small hole ( you already drilled into the cabinet anyway) ran the 3 wires through that hole which would have solved the drop down issue. Then mounted your power supply on the top of the cabinets or inside along with your controller of choice (I like the dig-uno using WLED) still would be able to control it all with your phone and you would have more options as far a scenes/effects go.

[@futbol1972]

hello If I wanna do this to my kitchen what exacly would I need? It sounds that the SK6812 RGBW are a better option since you can cut them any where and solder them back toguther? Can you please tell me which parts I would need for these specific lights to work? I am so new to this

[@futbol1972]

so whats the difference between SK6812RGBW and this ones (BTF-LIGHTING WS2812B RGB) besides price??

[@Joseph-ko2kl]

@@futbol1972 the difference is the "W" which will give you a real white channel vs the RGB which only tries to give you a white channel but comes out as a yellowy white. the RGB would be ok for somewhere you did not need a true white. As far as the cut/solder thing you can do that with most all addressable LED's, just check the info before you buy or ask the place providing them if it is not clear. What you would need is going to based on your project. at a min. you would need the LED's, power source and a way to control the lights i.e. a DIGUNO or DIGQUAD running WLED. There are other ways to drive/control the LED's, just do a Google search and you will see. I would say keep it as simple as you can. as long as it does what you need you will be OK, if you just want white lights don't buy multi color capable LED's, if you just want to turn them on and off but maybe change colors there are strips out there where it is all built in if you want to be able to design your own light show then you will need to go with a WLED type option. Hope this helped you.

[@stevenpersinger6577]

I use a Dremel too open a hole to feed led through. Clean and flat

[@kaffepojke]

Perfect is the enemy of good.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You are so right.

[@RealStevenBanks]

Thank you.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Steven.

[@DisembodiedScreams]

Looks nice.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much Anthony. I appreciate it.

[@jonvirgi7215]

Did you consider using any of the more professional low voltage led strips for this like wac lighting or others? I’m curious how the light on those strips compare vs lifx for the white light which is typically the only use for under cabinets.

[@cpete0079]

Good clean install, nice job!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Chad. I appreciate you saying that and watching.

[@davidwalker8345]

Good video Craig, 👏👏I’ve done the same with mine👍

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you David. You are too kind. Very cool. I hope yours turned out well.

[@thomaslee3]

flip the plug upside down and use the upper receptical to limit how much of the wire is exposed

[@sosguy1893]

Well done, thanks.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

[@Zanemaynard]

How sore was your back bending like that and how many times did you knock your head on those cabinets? I did this work. Literally back breaking. LOL ! Knocked my head too.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is funny. Luckily nothing pinched that hurt for days. Since I can hurt my back sneezing. I can only imagine the back pain from that kind of position. Thanks for watching

[@michaelbuckelew]

Do you have any cabinets with clear doors? My parents have these and I lit them with the cheap option of three battery-operated LED dots on copper wire. I would love to be able to run a strip through them but haven’t figured out how. My mom also talks about wanting lights on top of the cabinets because there is space up there.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Hey Michael, I don’t have clear cabinets. But that does look good lit. If you can get away with some dimmable white LEDs that have frequent cut points, you could clip on connectors and by little connects to go between cabinets. You would want the smallest connections possible. Or you could drill a hole in between cabinets and run them straight through each shelf. My buddy @moderndaytech did something like that for his LIFX z strips on his shell behind him. The space above the cabinets look cool too.

[@angieharpist]

So helpful, thank you x

[@BreakTime10101]

What if you notch out slots in the wood cross members? I don’t think it would hurt the integrity of the cabinets.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I could do it. But it’s the cutting into wood cabinets with very little skill. I could pay someone and have a beautiful job that is meant to me there. But for me to do it, I can think it’s going to look great, but then really can slip in. I also look at these strips as temporary and they will die. The cabinets will far out last the lights. Assuming no remodels.

[@BreakTime10101]

@@CraigsTechTalk Well if I was there I’d come over and help you. Maybe someone local will volunteer. It shouldn’t be too hard to do, maybe with a small hand wood saw? Great video. Love your videos and live feeds on Saturdays, I always enjoy watching them, keep doing what you’re doing. Stay safe.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I appreciate that you would help. I did float the idea of notching it and she was very adamant that I cannot cut into the cabinet for LED lights. As another option, I may take them down and try the track idea. I think it could be a simple switch and another way to do it. Thank you for all of your support and being there for the livestreams and the videos. I really appreciate it. Have a good evening.

[@jerseydevils8136]

What about using a Dremel to cut a flat path through those gaps? My understanding and according to someone who refurnishes cabinets you can cut into those gaps.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You can definitely do that. A big thing for me was thinking what is the easiest way to do it if you have no experience at all. But if you can put a track it definitely helps. I may do a video on doing that.

[@larrybrown1984]

Looks good!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Sorry Larry that I am just responding. Thank you. It’s not too bad if I say so myself.

[@jamesthrift6194]

I would totally zip a groove in that piece of wood (a hole really) so the strip could stay tight to bottom of cabinets. The strip is so skinny that if it were to be removed you can easily caulk the hole or just leave and nobody would care.

[@_Mr.Sush_]

Would these work with a sensor? I would love to have these turn on at say 50% at night when walking into the kitchen and either not turn on during the day or at 100%. might be asking to much here... ;-)

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Yeah, definitely. I had mine come on with a button that triggers automations.

[@Chaucer89]

Why not cut a channel for the strip where the cabinets join together?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That sounds great on paper. Until an amateur does it and it’s all hacked up. The tools in the proper hands and it is a beautiful idea.

[@seanomight5401]

Awesome job. Looked like a pain after you described what you had to do. lol. You could've maybe went with tube diffusers to put them in. They'd all be down on that one level bc of that. But they would be straight. Plus get some good ones to hide the leds showing threw on the counter top. Idk. Looks great though.

[@pensiveboogie]

Why not simply build up the under-cabinet visible framing by gluing timber infills the same thickness as your framing so you have a continuous level straight run of timber on which the LIFX strips can be attached? The 3M adhesive won’t stick to raw timber so a coat of clear lacquer will finish off the path for LIFX strips.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing your idea and for watching.

[@kevindarkstar]

Or put a valance along the bottom front of the cupboards, which would give you a large unobstructed surface to fit the leds, while facing the light towards the back of the wall

[@CraigsTechTalk]

That is an interesting idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@nroman1977]

Seems very short sighted that they done have the ability to cut or attach at every 6/12" or every 16/32cm with metal contact pads so the you can easily bridge gaps. Even GoVee has them every 12ish inches.

[@marcoontingco5370]

i recently acquired a Lifx Z strip, and it's not just BRIGHT, Saturation topnotch. however i can't make it to update firmware, i went to all the tips and tricks i could find as well as their tech supports recommendations and advise which is by the way pretty responsive. if you or one of your subscribers encounter the same and have any advise it would ve greatly appreciated. thanks.

[@georgew7405]

So I'm watching your video to see how you did the most important part of the project, which is under the microwave. That's the part you didn't record?

[@JeffMoak]

Honestly, looks a little sloppy. Should have used extruded aluminum track with the polycarbonate cover that you could have attached to the base of the cabinet and then you could have slid your strips inside without having to use the adhesive. That way if you ever wanted to change it you could reuse your strips somewhere else.

[@edbtzkhud]

But if you went that route would you screw the tracks or tape them? If u screwed them wouldn’t the screw protrude into the cabinet?

[@steve0466]

@@edbtzkhud I did this and it didn’t protrude. Just don’t use long screws

[@rodeolove]

I was about to comment the same thing about the tracks… I didn’t even finish the video…

[@Alex-B2357]

Notch the cabinet

[@Kangchevy]

U need some wire connections for the dip under the cabinets

[@MrKenstar2]

Use filler blocks problem solved

[@terrydrums]

Sigh…the universe has conspired to not allow me to have under-cabinet lighting. Or hide speaker cable. I've tried. It just won't work. 😒

[@AndersonTückmantel]

You're gorgeous ❤

[@JackiePrime]

This was juicy

[@hemantkapila4317]

I think the right way is to fix an aluminium channel and fix the light in it. This is just a kind of fix up.

[@tdelrio]

Measure it but don’t notch it... 🤔 the new home owners would never know... 😉

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Unless you really know what you are doing. You can hack away at it trying to notch it flush. You get someone with the skill and right tools and you can have a very good looking notch.

[@tdelrio]

Yep! That’s why I said it.. I know you could do it! I’d do it.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for having faith me.😀👍 Might do another option that could be cool for another video.

[@billsheehy1]

Great video but just too much work. Yes, I am that lazy.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I can appreciate what you are saying. I still have those projects I say the same thing. Thanks for watching.

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

Drilling a channel between the cabinet bottoms is a low key way to run your light strips straight under the bottoms. Minimal intrusion

[@GreenAppelPie]

Lol just drill a hole between the cabinets

[@vladsrants2920]

Too much bs with cables for what exactly....to look at your kitchen cabinets....we need to get a life.

[@MrKenstar2]

Need a phone to turn it on? Wtf?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

You don’t need the phone to control it. It works with all 3 assistants