Me again, promise this is the last post. I am backlighting a TV and cut my 2811 in the right places and used these connectors in the photo. The nickel is physically connected right on top of the cooper on the 2811 strip. However it doesn’t work at all that way. The only way I seem to get it to work is by barly having it in fair enough and my theroy is that the nickel connectors are touching the metal in the middle of the strip not on top. Amazon warned me (via comments) that these connectors sucked. I figured it couldn’t be that bad but they seem to be. What is my best bet to ensure solid connections so all 4 stips power and transfer data accordingly?
Can these connectors be fixed, are there better ones? Are there any tricks I dont know about?
Thanks, ill give it a try. I have never used solder so worried I would just cover all the contact points by accident but I guess I should figure out how to do that
Eric, I considered buying those connectors on Amazon, but the reviews scared me away. Instead, I learned to solder. There were a few helpful Youtube videos that show how to solder wires to LED strips or solder two LED strips together. Of my first 10 attempts, I screwed up maybe 3 times. Since then, I’ve had no trouble.
I never had a problem putting too much solder on. My problem has always been keeping my iron on the strip too long and melting the plastic.
thanks guys! I bought a iron we will see how it goes. I think I am going to try soldering direct to the clips first (using some test scraps I have). Will report back on how it goes.
It’s very worth it to learn to solder. It opens up such a huge array of possibilities. Don’t make the same mistake I did, get a good soldering Iron (example Hakko FX-888D). Buying the cheap one at the hardware store made it 10x harder. It seems expensive at first, but if you like those kind of projects, it will be your best friend forever.
so a quick update… sandpaper 120 grit over the cut edge and lightly across the terminals seems to dramatically improve connectivity with these connectors. While I am unsure if it’s perfect it seems to be working pretty well (has not failed since).
My only problem now is the glue falls off the TV so the strips keep falling. Going to try some doublesided tape and/or glue.
I did order a iron (a highly rated cheaper one with temperature control from amazon). I couldn’t justify the 99$ one at this time but if things go well I very well may upgrade. I will practice on scraps to see how things go. I do have another one of these setups to do and are looking forward to building it once my new nodemcu chip shows up (I got a DOA that had to be returned).
" rubber cement works wonders keeping the lights on the back of the TV. Just coat both pieces, let to dry to tacky touch, and then mate the lights to the TV.
Good work!! I’m not surprised sanding the terminals did the trick. I feel like there is a tiny coating of something on those. Solder doesn’t adhere instantly either, you kind of have to lightly scrape about for a second before it holds. They probably treat the whole strip with some kind of sealant/protector and there is a layer of that on the terminals.
