Wayne and Caleb explain how to get stubborn connectors to work.
1) Make sure your cut is precise and clean
2) Make sure your contact pads are clean and free of debris or dust
3) Connector prongs need to be putting enough downward pressure to 'grip' the LED strip and make contact.
4) Remove waterproofing material (if applicable)
If using our Luma 5 High Density strips, be sure to use matching High Density connectors, as the regular density need some additional modification to work.
Installing Dimmable Drivers
Check out a list of compatible dimmers here. Most installations are simple - the dimmer switch simply interrupts the LIVE (black) wire, but check the instructions included with your dimmable driver to make sure.
How many strips can I hook up?
All electrical conductors, including our LED Light Strips, offer some level or electrical resistance that impedes the flow of electrons. This resistance results in lowered voltage (voltage drop) that results in lowered light output as the amount of strip increases.
There's technical material available to calculate voltage drop, but our engineers have designed our strips to make it relatively simple.
If you're using regular density 12V strips, you can hook two of them up (32.8 feet total) before you experience noticeable voltage drop and associated dimming.
For high density, you can only use one strip (16.4 feet total). For 24V (and higher) strips - give us a call or talk to your electrician. In general, you'll get much longer runs with these higher voltage strips.
By splitting your runs in two directions, however, you can double the amount of strip you can run from one connection - as explained in this video.
What color is that wire?
American and European standards vary, so you'll need to know both. Some of our power supplies use European wire codes.
If you're in another part of the world, your local wire might vary beyond what you see below. Read here for more details.
High Voltage (AC)
LIVE : Black or Brown
NEUTRAL :White or Blue
GROUND :Green or Green/Yellow
Note that sometimes ground wires can be bare*
Low Voltage (DC)
POSITIVE : Red
NEGATIVE : Black
Can this strip go outside?
HitLights sells varieties of strips that are designed for either:
Indoor (IP-20)
Outdoor (IP-65)
Waterproof (IP-67)
Used as governed by the International Electrotechnical Commission's Ingress Protection (IP) code.
Ip 20 Strips are for indoor use only. Moisture, even splashed, can cause these strips to short out and possible fail. They're fine in almost all indoor applications, but you might be careful installing them near showers or sinks.
IP 65 Strips for indoor or outdoor use. They're coated in a silicone material that protects the strip from water. They're not 100% waterproof, however, so we don't recommend exposing them to heavy or regular rain. They're great for installing in covered areas outside, like patios.
IP 67 Strips are for indoor or outdoor use. They're fully encased in a rubber sleeve, meaning that they're impervious to all kinds of weather conditions. You can install these strips almost anywhere you like. They are not, however, 100% submersible - so you can't use them underwater.
What's wrong with my controller?
If you've picked up one of our LED strip remote controllers and it's not cooperating, there are a few things you can try.
1) Make sure the battery works. Open up the battery compartment, make sure the plastic tab is removed, and reinsert the battery. If you have another battery available, swap out the original one to see if that helps.
2) For IR REMOTES - Wipe remote's IR transmitter and the controller's IR receiver with a household cleaning spray to make sure the signal travels cleanly.
3) For RF REMOTES - Re-sync the remote to the controller according to the included instruction manual.
4) Ask us for help if you're not sure what connector or wiring product you need?
Visit our Learning Center or Contact us for support in choosing the proper LED Lighting Accessories
