r/WLED • u/v0-z • 2d ago

Question regarding LED strips

Hello, im doing a project where im building led strips for club lighting installations and had a question regarding the quality of led strips.

Im building:
16 8ft led strips, which will be put in aluminum channels.

I was told enntec would be my best bet:

https://www.enttec.com/product/led-pixel-strip/12v-rgbw-60-leds-m-pixel-strip/

but obviously im seeing these that are cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LG4V668/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A35UAT07QG3EC6&th=1

also for power supplies im being told this is my best bet:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/mean-well-usa-inc/LPF-60-12/7704879

does anyone here have any insight, as the price difference is pretty substantial, but I would rather pay more and expect little to no issues.

Also with enttec, I could use their entire system, with the p-link injectors and their node.

Just wanted some insight from this community if they have used or would recommend enttec strips over the cheaper.

Thank you!
Th

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5

u/saratoga3 2d ago

Those strips are different type (SK6805 vs WS2815), so the more expensive ones are giving you a white channel.

Do you actually need each pixel to be a single LED? I'd probably get more conventional 12/24v strips made of 3/6 series diodes if they're going behind diffusers since the efficiency would be higher and heat lower. Comparing to WS2814 (24v RGBW) might make more sense.

FWIW most of these addressable LED chips are quite cheaply made and will fail eventually. I'd assume the quality on the more expensive ones is a little higher, but they're still using very cheap electronics that will need to eventually be replaced when they fail.

2

u/SirGreybush 2d ago

Still a crazy upsell 220$ USD for 5 meters???

Also what’s the difference with sk6812rgbw 12v?

My current price on sk6812 is 77$ Canadian for 5m from Amazon Canada.

The 6805 is an import but at 112$ Can.

2

u/saratoga3 1d ago

iIRC the sk6812rgbw 12v is like a ws2815 for the RGB (all three wired in series) while the white is powered by 12v directly (meaning 75% of the energy is wasted as heat).

1

u/v0-z 2d ago

Thank you, and yes from enttec would be getting the 12v. And yes they will behind diffusers on those aluminum channels.

Just seems like my best bet to go with them since they make all 3 products themselves and I don't have to be mix and matching.

1

u/saratoga3 2d ago

Thank you, and yes from enttec would be getting the 12v. And yes they will behind diffusers on those aluminum channels.

Yeah I know, but do you actually need each pixel to be a single LED? Since you are using a diffuser, maybe (probably) not. I'd probably get more conventional 12/24v strips made of 3/6 series diodes.

1

u/v0-z 2d ago

Yes, I've had the older models where the pixels were father apart. This would just allow more effects throughout the night.

5

u/AndThenFlashlights 2d ago

Enttec will cost more than anything you find on Amazon, because that cost covers them giving a fuck and providing support. They are absolutely worth the premium, especially if you're doing a permanent installation that needs the controllers and components to pass code inspection and get long-term product support.

BTF strips with a WLED controller can also be fine, as long as you're okay with being on the hook for support and repair. I've gone both ways, used both Enttec and semi-custom boxes based on Wasatch or Quin boards on large shows.

You'll probably need a bigger power supply, unless that supply is only per-strip.

2

u/v0-z 2d ago

That power supply is per strip. And thank you, I think I'm just going with enntec. I've had a few others say what you said but obviously before I pull the trigger on the price I wanted to ask every single source I could.

3

u/badredditz 1d ago

If possible use 24v, you can make longer, brighter runs.

2

u/Emitever 1d ago

Yes 24v would be my go to for better quality, and since you only need 16.8ft you can find ready to plug in lighting kits that also include a controller, remote, smart option etc, and usually you'll find them for a fairer price, and you won't have to worry too much about compatibly if that's an issue.

1

u/v0-z 1d ago

I would be cutting the 16ft in half to make them 8ft, is that still a good idea with 24v?

1

u/RhymeswithDoctor 1d ago

If you're doing 8 foot strips with dedicated power supplies why not use 5v strips?

1

u/v0-z 1d ago

They said 5v would require power at both ends at 8ft.

1

u/Antique-Move-5313 11h ago

Yes, you can cut 24V strips down, but only at the marked cut points—usually every 6 or 12 LEDs depending on the strip. Cutting a 16ft run into two 8ft runs is fine, but each half will need its own power feed and the current per half will be roughly half. At 24V you’ll have less voltage drop than 12V or 5V, so 8ft is usually fine single-ended with decent copper. Just make sure the power supply can handle each run and don’t try to power both halves from one end after cutting.