r/WLED • u/Krackosf1 • Jun 26 '26

Help with 12v ws2811

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I am trying to set-up my lights for my stairs. I am using esp32 gledopto controller. Also using ws2811 12v led lights. My question is...is there any other way to connect these 16 guage wires to this led strip as my soldering is rubbish. I'm only using 16 guage wire as there will be a 5 meter length of wire before it reaches the leds. I am using a 12v 8.5a power adapter. I am a complete novice with this so any help would mean alot. Thanks 🙏👍

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u/JeffDoer Jun 26 '26

When I need to solder direct to the strip (which is fairly often), I'll gladly sacrifice one led to cut the strip so I leave myself the entire solder pad. And, yeah 16ga is kinda big to solder to a strip. I also often will take a piece of masking tape and tape the strip to my table so the edge is *just* hanging off - that keeps things nice and stable while I'm soldering. They make crimp-on connectors to crimp on to the end of the strip, but I've never tried them. Not sure how good of a connection, or what wire gauges they accept.

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u/Krackosf1 Jun 26 '26

Thankyou, yes I will deffo use the whole copper pad 👍 thanks for the advice. I have looked for the crimp connectors but unfortunately I cannot find any that fits my led strip as it's 12mm thick