Hi As per another thread I'm building a new standing desk inside Ikea PAX wardrobes and am currently looking at back lighting options. Ebay can sell me a 5m strip of RGB 5050 LEDs with controller etc, but ideally I'll be looking at not having a continuous run of 5m. Rather I'd prefer to have some backlighting behind my displays and maybe some additional lighting in a lower shelf by my printers. Maybe even have three zones. So... I have a few questions from those that know about these things. 1. Can I just cut and extend a 'generic' LED strip? Most say can be cut every 3 LEDs, do they 'usually' have solder points by the cuts? 2. What gauge wire to extend with? Any links to spools? 3. If I want to have two switchable 'zones' is it easier to run two independent setups with dual wall-wart PSUs, or can I run one PSU with more than one controller? 4. If I have one controller, and can cut and extend the strips, EG have 2 x 1m runs. Can I simply add a switch between these two sections to turn the end strip off? PSU - Controller - LED strip - Extension wire - switch - Extension wire - LED Strip. 5. Is there a better modular way of doing this? Pre-fabbed connections etc? Where from? Thanks gurus.
All the LED strips I've had can be cut and the cut mark is often indicated as a line between the 2 areas that are the solder points. Also check out the Strip connectors available which make connecting a bit easier. I use 16/0.2, I get my wire from Farnells but they have a minimum order level of £20 although you get free shipping. Otherwise Maplins for 10 metre lengths.
