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1. How can I connect cut segments of LED Strip Lights?
Well hold on! First thing's first, make sure you aren't just making wild cuts on the LED light strip, as cutting on a diode or other component can damage the strip, and more importantly, hurt you too! Our LED light strips have pre-marked lines on them exactly for the purpose of being cut on. Once you've made your safe cuts, you should be able to see some copper connection ports on the cut end. That's what you'll be connecting to other strips or wiring when you make the connection. If you've got the proper know how and tools, then feel free to directly solder the cut segment's wires together, and as always make sure you use
good safety practices when working with tools. If you don't have or want to use a soldering tool, then you can use a HitLights Strip Wiring/Connection Accessory! These accessories use clasp connectors that directly attach to the LED strips for simple and efficient connections!
2. Which connection accessory do I need?
There's unfortunately not one single answer, as I so often wish I could give in these Trouble Shooting guides. However, just because there isn't one answer doesn't mean the answers aren't simple to understand. If you want your connected LED strip lights to have a seamless connection, so they look like a single strip when in use, then invisible connectors (also called LED strip to strip gapless connectors 8mm single color) are just what you're looking for to keep that consistent lighting you're so used to with strip lights. If you're trying to make your strips take a sharp turn, or a strange angle, then any-angle connectors 8mm or 10mm will give you just the kind of slack you need with a bit of flexible extension wiring. If the any-angle connector doesn't have quite the reach you were looking for, then an extension connector is going to be your best bet! Before you buy any of these connectors though, check the product page to make sure it's compatible with your strip, as the connectors are not universal.
3. How do I use a strip with a clasp connector?
Once you've made your careful cut along the pre-marked lines on your strip, peel away the 3M backing on the cut end of the strip. Next you'll want to very carefully open up the end of the connector that aligns with the strips polarity, it is integral that you attach the correct polarity to your strip. Once the connector has been opened up, slowly slide the cut end of the strip into the connector's open housing so that it fits snugly in the casing. With the cut end of the strip in the connector, carefully line up the strip's copper ports underneath the clasp connector's silver connection pins. Now that everything is properly aligned in the connector housing, close the clasp over the cut end of the strip. If the strip doesn't light up, or if the diodes flicker, reopen the connector and start from the beginning as something was misaligned. If the strip properly lights up, good job!
4. My LED’s worked before I connected them, but now they are off/dim!
Don't worry, together we can fix this! This is an easily rectifiable problem, certainly not something that spells the end for your LED hopes and dreams. Before anything else, check the connector's polarity and make sure that it aligns with BOTH strips that have been connected together. The positive end (+) of the connectors should align with the positive end (+) of the strip, and the negative end (-) of the connector should be attached to the negative end (-) of the strip that your other strip is connecting to. Two positive ends (+) or two negative ends (-) won't work well together! With most issues, this polarity check should be enough to fix the problem, but if you're still experiencing an issue, there's more we can do to fix it! Once you know the polarities are right, carefully slide the strip back and forth in the clasp connector and try to make a more stable connection between the strip's ports and the connector's pins. With some patience and a little wiggling your lights should come on, if they don't, have no fear, these connectors can be tricky! give us a call at 1 (855) 768-4135 and we will work with you to fix your specific issue!
5. What is the most secure connection for my lights?
The absolute strongest connection you can make for your strip lights is soldering the wires together. Nothing really beats using a super hot tool to melt bits of metal together into a single piece of hardcore wiring. However, if you aren't familiar with soldering, or aren't comfortable using a potentially dangerous method to get your lights super-securely connected, our alternative methods still work great. Although, soldering is still a cheaper and more long lasting option for your strips. So if you see yourself using LED strip lights a lot in the future (which you should, because they're Eco-friendly) then it might be time to swing by your local hardware store and pick up some soldering tools. Odds are the hardware store will have an employee who can teach you exactly how to safely use your new tool.
If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us at customerservice@hitlights.com or give us a call at 1 (855) 768-4135. Our team of expert engineers and electricians are here to assist you every step of the way! If you are a professional installer, an integrator, or a business owner and you want to save more to do more projects, you can join our partnership program risk-free, no contracts, no hassle process.
