How to Install RGB Color Changing LED Strip Lighting

LED Strip Lighting 101

Skill Level Needed: Beginner/Intermediate

Note: ALWAYS consult an electrician before doing any electrical installations. This is a guide and is not to be used as a replacement for a licensed electricians services.

Installing RGB color changing LED light strips is not a difficult task. Depending on the length desired and the length of the RGB LED strip light. Below are the items you will need:

1. RGB color changing LED strip light at desired length
2. RGB LED remote control
3. RGB LED Solderless Connectors
4. LED Strip Light Power Supply
5. Optional: DC Coaxial Solderless Connector

Choosing the correct LED power supply:

Our RGB LED strip light uses 12 volts and 2.2 watts per foot. So, if you want to install 13 feet of RGB color changing LED light strips you will need a power supply to handle 28.6 watts.  Remember watts divided by volts equals amps! So a simple computation will tell you which power supply you need.

So : 28.6 watts / 12 volts = 2.38 Amps

You will need a 4 amp power supply for the above example.

You can further view the topic at our section on Choosing Your LED Power Supply

The RGB LED Remote Control and Its Functions

Below is a video on how the LED RGB remote control works and how it is connected. It does not show in major detail how to install so we will explain below.

The end of the 2 and 4 amp power supplies have a Male DC coaxial connector. You can purchase a Female DC Coaxial connector to connect to the power supply then into the positive and negative terminals of the LED RGB Remote Control or you can simply cut the male DC coaxial end off the power supply, strip, and screw the wires into the remote.

From an 8 or 10 amp power supply which has a metal housing, you need to connect the power chord to the positive and negative AC terminals (when unplugged, obviously). Note: Be careful!!! Do not touch these terminals as you will electrocute yourself. Attach a wire from the positive and negative DC terminals and screw them into the RGB remote control.

Installing the LED RGB color changing strip light from the LED RGB remote

From the RGB remote, you will need to connect the LED RGB solderless connector. If you need to add more distance between the RGB remote control you can purchase extra RGB wire and then butt splice, use wire nuts, or electrical tape to connect the RGB wires to the LED solderless connector.

View our section on How To Install Solderless Connectors for a clearer view of how to do this.

You are done!

If your lights do not light up:

1. Color does not always matter! Make sure you are follow the positive side of the flex strip down through the solderless connector wire to the power supply. Red/black can either mean (+) or (-) depending on what side of the fLED flex strip you have hooked the connector up to.
2. Please visit our Flexible LED strip Light section to choose which color and light intensity you want!
3. Another common problem is that the solderless connector may be installed upside down, repeat steps above and try again.
4. Also, MAKE SURE the tray is closed all the way. Be gentle!
5. Check your power supply and make sure it is hooked up correctly and correct + and - too.