Trying to Install LED strip in Computer Case - got some smoke..

freakinhobo

Distinguished
Nov 12, 2015
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I'm trying to install LEDs into my wife's computer and am running into some issues. The brand of LEDs I got is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JTF3LR6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

This strip allows you to cut and rewire which I tried, but after cutting and -attempting- to solder I hooked the LEDs up and started to computer to test it. The LEDs came on just fine for about 3 seconds followed by flickering, dimming then going out followed by smoke where the controller connects.

Not sure what part I did wrong... but prior to cutting the strip I was able to test it on a 9v battery and everything worked fine. I ASSUME that the issue has to do with my crappy soldering job as you can see below. Anyone have any idea if that's the case... do I need to do a better job soldering or is there something else?




IMG_20151201_102024_842_zpsesoe7dgf.jpg









 
Solution
Indeed.

A few Hint`s if you don`t mind on soldering.

Buy some flux paste, even if the solder you use say`s it has flux in the core of the solder.

Strip and twist each wire, then dip the end in the solder paste.

Make sure the soldering iron if it has settings, is set high.

Pre tin the tip of the soldering iron with fresh solder, then wipe it off on a wet sponge till you are left with a shiny point.

Tin the iron once again, leaving solder on it.
Run it along the striped wire ends.

Brush solder paste on the contacts you wish to solder to.
Bring the wire to meet the contact.
With a little bit of solder on the iron`s tip, holding the wire, press the iron down on both.

And you will get a nice clean, flow of solder and a clean joint...
Indeed.

A few Hint`s if you don`t mind on soldering.

Buy some flux paste, even if the solder you use say`s it has flux in the core of the solder.

Strip and twist each wire, then dip the end in the solder paste.

Make sure the soldering iron if it has settings, is set high.

Pre tin the tip of the soldering iron with fresh solder, then wipe it off on a wet sponge till you are left with a shiny point.

Tin the iron once again, leaving solder on it.
Run it along the striped wire ends.

Brush solder paste on the contacts you wish to solder to.
Bring the wire to meet the contact.
With a little bit of solder on the iron`s tip, holding the wire, press the iron down on both.

And you will get a nice clean, flow of solder and a clean joint without too much solder blobbing.

I used to be really bad at soldering till someone gave me these tips.
Big blobbing solder joint`s and all, trust me if you follow the tips here you be amazed at how good your soldering get`s and how neat it is.

You were right it was probably a short due to the soldering job.
If you are bypassing the provided power adapter for the lights.
Check the output voltage on the transformer or wall adapter, the voltage may be right eg 12v or 5v for the strip but it`s the ampage you also have to account for. If to high from a power supply unit it will blow the lights and melt wires just a warning.

On the strip of lights you should have a 12+ then an R G B the RGB are negative or ground for each led or color.
But I guess you already worked that out.


 
Solution
Be more like the wall transformer I think, unless the smoke came from the Led color switch control box.

Stick your ear to the wall transformer, when plugged in and turned on, if you cannot hear a hum then it`s the part that is fried.
Done a few myself and the wall transformers give out after a bit.

Wired mine in the end to the PC`s power supply, with the control box in line.

If the box is goosed, you can still use the LED strip, only it wont change in color, but you can have a choice of red, green or blue lighting, at least. Double check what the control box is outputting though DC or AC.

Your PC power supply is DC output.


 
There is actually no wall transformer.. I had it wired directly to the 4 pin molux connector and to the PSU as you can see in the bottom picture.. that is what came with the kit so I assumed it was the correct way to do it as it said 12V powered. Where is was smoking was the controller (white in picture) where it connects to the LED strip.