Plugs for LED strip

[NickV]

Hi all,

Not really a Loxone specific challenge, but wondered if anyone has any advice here.  My electrician has run multi-core mains flex to the various points where I need to install LED strip, but I can't really solder mains flex onto the LED strip above my head.  Have any of you seen a compact locking plug I could attach to the strip and then attach to the mains flex in order to connect the two together and push the whole thing back into the wall/ceiling?  I'd want the plugs to lock so I they don't accidentally separate leaving the cable lost in the wall/ceiling.  I was looking at Molex 70107 or 70066 but frankly the range is bewildering!

Any advice or experience is much appreciated.

Nick

[Kevp]

I use some wago 221 connectors. Maybe place them in a wago JB if there is room.

[NickV]

If I had space I'd certainly use some Wago connectors as they're great, but these are all CCT or RGBW strips so I'd need three/five connectors.  As I said I'd supply and install the LED strips the electrician has pulled the flex through a hole in the conduit and that's what I'm left with to somehow connect the strips.

Here's an example of what I have to come up with a solution for.  

https://imgur.com/a/eKEgLqS

There's at least 6 places I need to solve this self same problem, and one of them is RGBWW so it's 5 cores not 3, hence looking for a really compact inline connector because it basically needs to be able to be pushed back through the hole the cable comes out of.

[Kevp]

Ok.

For something like that situation You could remove the aluminium channel.
Then cut a hole behind it big enough to fit the wagos.

Connect the led tape and then push the connectors into the hole and then replace the aluminium channel which will now hide everything. Just make sure you test all the colours before sticking the led to the channel.

I'm sure some other people have different ways of doing it.

[Duncan]

i would siggest just soldering the wires on the strip to the flex (cut down to around 4-6"), use heat shrink on the soldered joints to insulate, and push the soldered/covered joints back through the hole in the alu channel - it may be a ball-ache to do, but you know the joints will be solid, reliable and fit back into the hole

[Deac99]

All of my LED strips are soldered the way Duncan suggested and are rock solid.  My only comment is to be super super careful of the solder joint to the LED strip.  The first strip I mounted after soldering I ended up tearing the factory joint wires of the strip so the strip was dead.  After much troubleshooting I realized that was the issue.  I ended up very carefully scraping the RTV off the LED's and re-soldering the wires to the LED strip itself and I used hot glue to seal up the solder joints and provide a little extra stiffness to the cable.  After realizing how sensitive the joints are, I've never had a problem after, you just have to be really careful that the wires are not stressed on the LED strip itself.

I do wish there was a connector to make this all easier - a good business opportunity!

[David Wallis]

There are Loads of connectors for this specific purpose on ebay.

I would however as stated use some more flexible cable from the strip secured with and adhesive lined heatshrink and then a connector onto your 'structured' cabling

[RSinn]

What connectors specifically David?

I have used the Wago 224 which is in-line rather than parallel of the 221 which makes it a little more compact, but it's still cumbersome.

I spoke to wago about a specific rgbw connector and they said they are working on it... wouldn't hold your breath though!

[David Wallis]

something like https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SK156142.html?source=adwords&ad_position=1o5&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=SK156142&product_partition_id=372964845496&version=finalurl_v3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwJjStK2u3gIVB5zVCh0xiQ8_EAQYBSABEgJHH_D_BwE

[RSinn]

Isn't that just to connect strip to strip?

I did buy some of them but wasn't that successful soldering a cable on because there's no hole in the tabs to secure the wire. Have you got a photo of the finish joint?

[RSinn]

https://www.wago.com/global/pluggable-connectors/male-connector-with-connect--for-ground/p/267-519

These look interesting.