Instructions / Assembly

7
Preparing Installation (continued)
7
This product is designed for custom lighting installations.
Basic wiring skills such as stripping and splicing wire
connections are required.
Cutting, connecting and wiring
This tape light model can be cut every three LEDs, or about every 2”.
□ Be sure to connect positive wires to positive (+ to +),
and negative wires to negative (- to -). Polarity is easily
identied with + and - markings on LED tape as shown.
IMPORTANT: Always maintain polarity when connecting
LED tape lighting and low voltage power wires.
7.1 Cut with scissors
WARNING: Do not connect to 120V AC power. Only
connect to low voltage 12V DC power.
□
+ +
-
-
Positive
Negative
. To use solderless LED Snap Connectors, cut the LED with scissors
directly in the center of the copper pad as shown in position “A”
below.
. You can also cut the tape at position “B”, however, do not use
Snap Connectors on these soldered tape light joints.
. You can also solder 12V power lead wires at these joints.
+ +
-
-
+ +
-
-
A B
Cut tape at center
of copper pads
Okay to cut at solder
joints, but do not
use connector
□
Soldering wires to LED strips. Direct soldering of wires to the
LED tape is the surest method for making extra reliable
electrical connections. LED Snap Connectors are not
recommended for marine or RV use due to possible vehicle
vibrations.
□
7.3 How to use Snap Connectors
□
7.2 Wire Lead Snap Connectors
Wire Lead Snap Connectors are used for going around
corners or, when cut in half, to create two power leads
(“jumper” cables) for linking and extending power wires
to LED tape lighting in other areas.
□
IMPORTANT: Always use the + / - indicators printed on the
tape light to maintain polarity. Be sure all 12V connections are
secure and sealed. Options include soldering and heat-shrink
tubing. Crimp connectors, terminal blocks, wire nuts etc.
To make longer
“jumper” cables,
Cut in half to create two wire
lead connectors that can be
spliced to longer wires in order
to get power to LED tape strips
in other areas.
To increase the length of wire between two LED strips,
simply splice in the extra length of wire required, 18AWG is
generally recommended. Be sure to match polarity, + to +,
- to -. Do not coil wire; shorter lengths and thicker wire will
mean less voltage drop and higher brightness. For an online
voltage drop calculator, visit step 3.
□
Red
+
-
Black
Red
+
-
Black
Red
+
-
Black
Red
+
-
Black
Splice Snap Connectors are for joining two strips to create a
continuous run of LED lighting.
. Pry open the lid on the snap connector (splice connector has
two lids).
. Peel back about 1/2 inch of the brown paper backing on
the tape. (Do not remove adhesive from the LED strip, just the
paper backing.)
. Using a side-to-side motion, carefully slide the tap
e strip into the
connector channel as shown below so the copper pads on
the tape are positioned underneath the connector contacts.
. Close and snap down the lid connector.
. Perform a power test to be sure connection is secure and
LEDs light before nal installation.
. If LEDs do not light, or LEDs icker, repeat the steps
outlined above.
Red
+
-
Black
+
Red
Black
-
HOMEDEPOT.COM
Please contact 1-877-527-0313 for further assistance.
Insert tape into channel
under contact tabs
Be sure tape sildes
into channel groove
Press down lid
until it snaps closed
length to
t needs
NOTE: Be sure all 12V connections are secure and sealed.
Options include soldering and heat-shrink tubing, crimp
connectors, terminal blocks, wire nuts, etc.
12V
+
-
12V
+
-