Soldering an LED STRIP
LED strips are convenient for several lighting needs! They are prewired with
resistors to operate at 9V – 12V and may be cut every third LED into smaller strips.
However, when cutting the LED strip, you must add solder to the connection points on
the strip. This process is actually fairly simple and, since you don’t need a resistor for the
strips themselves, it is a fast and easy process.
Notice that at the connection points, there is a positive side and a negative side.
This is where we will add some solder before attaching the wire. (called “tinning” the
solder point) Again, touch the solder coil and soldering tip together to the copper solder
points, not just the iron tip with solder on it. “Drag” the melting solder from the solder
coil onto the copper pads. You should have a small bead of solder at the point when
finished.
Next, strip off only about a half a millimeter of wire to attach to the points.
Simply touch the iron tip to the solder point to re-melt the solder and slip the exposed
wire into it and remove the iron, holding the wire still a second or two until the solder
hardens. Repeat the process for both positive and negative contact points. That’s it! It’s
wired!
