Armacost LIGHTING RGB Ribbon Flex Pro 24V RGB Plus WW LED Strip Light Tape Instruction Manual

Armacost LIGHTING RGB Ribbon Flex Pro 24V RGB Plus WW LED Strip Light Tape

Installing tape lighting is an easy DIY project. However, basic wiring skills and tools for stripping, splicing, and connecting wires are required.

IMPORTANT

• Use only with low-voltage constant voltage DC power supplies.
  Never connect LED tape light directly to 120-volt household power.

• Do not power LED tape while coiled on reel, as the LEDs will overheat.
  The mounting surface will act as a heat sink to dissipate heat.

• Never connect more than one power supply to a run of LED lighting.

• Do not install tape light where it can come in direct contact with water. Do not use long term in high humidity environments.

• Use certified CL2 or better cabling for wire runs inside walls.

• Do not install low-voltage DC wiring in the same runs as 120-volt AC power.

All wiring must be in accordance with national and local electrical codes, low-voltage Class 2 circuit. If you are unclear as to how to install and wire this product, consult a qualified professional.

Planning

Ribbon Flex LED lighting is designed for indirect lighting applications. The LEDs themselves are not intended to be seen directly by the eye. Every installation is unique, and the desired lighting effect is based primarily upon personal preference. Installation location, wall colors, mounting angles, and the light’s reflection off walls, surfaces, and objects will affect the final lighting appearance. Subtle adjustments to the positioning and angle of the LED tape can greatly impact the overall lighting effect.

Choosing a color controller

A color controller is required for Ribbon Flex multi-color LED lighting. Color controllers blend the light from the LED chipsets allowing you to create custom colors and color-changing effects. The color controller will also work as a dimmer and function as an on/off switch. For current product information, visit armacostlighting.com.

Choosing a power supply

Ribbon Flex LED tape operates on low voltage and requires a power supply to convert 120-volt household AC power to low-voltage DC power.

TYPICAL CONNECTION SCENARIOS

Interior RV and boat applications can be powered directly by a battery. Make sure the LED tape lighting that you are using matches the voltage of your RV or boat.

Power supply size: Determining your wattage requirements

TYPICAL DESIGN CONFIGURATIONS

Straight Run

Center Feed

Loop Back

Array

Choosing a higher wattage power supply does not necessarily mean you can run longer lengths of LED tape light. However, it will allow for more lighting legs in an array design. Exceeding the maximum lengths in the chart below will cause LEDs farthest from the power supply to appear dimmer when at 100% brightness due to voltage drop. Using a higher wattage power supply will not reduce the effect of voltage drop.

Maximum recommended tape length

Configuration| RGB 30 LEDs/m| RGB 60 LEDs/m| RGB+W 30+30 LEDs/m| RGB+W 60+60 LEDs/m| RGB+WW 36+36+36 LEDs/m
Length (ft./m)| Watts used| Length (ft./m)| Watts used| Length (ft./m)| Watts used| Length (ft./m)| Watts used| Length (ft./m)| Watts used
Straight run| 32.8/ 10| ~40| 16.4/ 5| ~48| 16.4/ 5| ~47| 16.4/ 5| ~75| 23/ 7| ~45
Center feed / Loop back| 65.6/ 20| ~80| 32.8/ 10| ~96| 32.8/ 10| ~94| 32.8/ 10| ~150| 45.9/ 14| ~90
Array| Varies based on layout and max wattage of power supply

How to calculate total wattage required in lighting system

Using the chart below, determine the watts used in each leg of lighting.
A straight run is considered one leg. A center feed is two equal length legs of lighting. An array can have many legs. Include only the lengths of LED tape in your calculation, not the connecting wires.

Add together the watts used in each leg of lighting to get total watts required. Note this is when lighting is at 100% full brightness and when it will use the most watts energy

Approximate watts used per meter at full brightness

RGB 30 LEDs/meter
Meters| 0.5| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 10
Feet| 1.6| 3.3| 6.6| 9.8| 13| 16.4| 19.7| 23| 26.2| 32.8
Watts used| 4| 8| 15| 21| 25| 29| 32| 35| 38| 40
RGB 60 LEDs/meter

Meters| 0.5| 1| 1.5| 2| 2.5| 3| 3.5| 4| 4.5| 5
Feet| 1.6| 3.3| 4.9| 6.6| 8.2| 9.8| 11.5| 13| 14.8| 16.4
Watts used| 8| 15| 22| 28| 33| 37| 41| 44| 46| 48
RGB+W 30+30 LEDs/meter

Meters| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5
Feet| 3.3| 6.6| 9.8| 13| 16.4
Watts used| 11| 21| 30| 39| 47
RGB+W 60+60 LEDs/meter

Meters| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5
Feet| 3.3| 6.6| 9.8| 13| 16.4
Watts used| 18| 35| 50| 65| 75
RGB+WW 36+36+36 LEDs/meter

Meters| 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7
Feet| 3.3| 6.6| 9.8| 13| 16.4| 19.7| 23
Watts used| 9| 17| 24| 30| 36| 41| 45

• Watts used is the power consumed by your LED lighting system, not the watt rating of a power supply.
• Always choose a power supply rated at or greater than your needs.

Power supply location and voltage drop

The shorter the wire leads between the power supply and the LED lighting, the brighter and more consistent your lighting will be. To learn more visit armacostlighting.com/voltagedrop for an easy-to-use voltage drop calculator.

Cutting, connecting and wiring

There are two methods for connecting power wires and splicing together two pieces of LED tape lighting: soldering or using Armacost Lighting connectors.

Soldering is a sure method for making reliable electrical connections. For tips on how to solder Ribbon Flex, visit armacostlighting.com/installation. Soldered connections are required for marine and RV applications due to vehicle movement and vibrations. Always connect power wires to your tape lighting before removing the 3M tape backing and installing.

How to cut tape light

• Cut the LED tape 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,” but do not use connectors on these tape light joints. You can solder wires at these joints.

IMPORTANT: Always use the indicators printed on the tape light to maintain the same polarity (+ to +, G to G, R to R, B to B, etc.).

Using connectors

RGB tape light has four copper pads and should only be used with Armacost Lighting RGB connectors. RGB+W tape light has five copper pads and should only be used with Armacost Lighting RGB+W connectors. RGB+WW tape light has six copper pads and should only be used with Armacost Lighting RGB+WW connectors.

Connectors with wire are used for going around corners or, when cut in half, to create two power leads or jumper cables to bridge gaps in order to get tape lighting to other areas.

To increase the wire length between two LED strips, simply cut the connector wire in two and splice in the length of wire needed. 22 gauge or heavier wire is generally recommended. Do not coil excess wire; shorter lengths and thicker wire will mean less voltage drop and higher brightness.

Be sure all wire splice connections are secure and sealed. Options include soldering, electrical tape, crimp connectors, terminal blocks, wire nuts, etc.

Peel about 1/4 in. of the paper from the LED strip adhesive backing at the connection point before inserting into connectors.

Splice connectors

Splice connectors are used to join two tape light strips, creating a continuous run of lighting.

Installing Sure Lock Connectors

Installing Snap Connectors

Surface preparation and installation

• Mounting surfaces should be smooth, clean, completely dry, dust free and above 60ºF (15 ºC) before installing/sticking the LED tape strip in place. Thoroughly clean all mounting surfaces with isopropyl alcohol. Do not use common rubbing alcohol and household cleaners, which may leave behind residues.
• When installing on painted surfaces, paint should be fully cured based on manufacturer’s cure time.
• Be careful not to peel off the 3M adhesive from LED strip; just remove the tan paper backing.
• Support power wire leads, especially when mounting under cabinets and shelves.

Troubleshooting

Tape light strip does not light

• Make sure your LED power supply is receiving 120-volt power.
• Confirm you have maintained correct polarity (+ to + and – to –) when connecting the power supply to the controller, and ensure that you have maintained polarity and consistent wire color sequencing from the controller to the LED tape light.
• Check all tape light and controller connections from the power supply to the LED tape light. Consider testing with a multimeter to ensure light strip is receiving power.

Only part of the LED tape light strip is lit

• Check connections to the part of the strip that is not lit.
• Confirm that you have maintained correct polarity and wire color sequencing to the unlit section.
• If only 1 LED series is out, cut out and remove the damaged LED group and splice together LED tape strips or replace with new LED section.

LED tape lights blink on, then go off

• Your power supply is not adequate for the length of LED tape light you are powering. Install a higher wattage power supply or reduce watts used by shortening the lengths of your LED tape lighting.

LEDs farthest from the power supply are noticeably dimmer or you see a color shift

• This is the result of voltage drop. Decrease the length of the power feed wires or use thicker power feed wires between the power supply, the controller, and the tape lighting.

Visitarmacostlighting.com/installation for additional installation tips and FAQs.

SPECIFICATIONS

Input voltage ……………………………………………………………… 24-volt DC
LED modules……………………………………… RGB: SMD 5050 tri-chip RGB
……………………. RGB+W/RGB+WW: SMD 5050 tri-chip RGB & 2835 white
Beam angle …………………………………………………………………120° wide
Tape height/width …..RGB/RGB+W: 2mm x 10mm, RGB+WW: 2mm x 12mm
Country of origin ……………………………………………………………….. China

See product packaging or visit armacostlighting.com for additional product- specific information.

Limited warranty

Ribbon Flex Pro products: 3 years; Ribbon Flex Home products: 2 years

Improper installation, abuse, or failure to use this product for its intended purpose will void warranty. This warranty only applies when all components, including LED power supplies, have been provided by or approved for use by Armacost Lighting. The warranty does not cover labor or any other costs or expense to remove or install any defective, repaired or replaced products.

CUSTOMERS SUPPORT

armacostlighting.com
© 2022 Armacost Lighting. All rights reserved.

References

• LED Lighting Products & Solutions from Armacost Lighting
• Installation Instructions for LED Lights – Armacost Lighting
• Voltage Drop Calculator – Armacost Lighting

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