Just wanted to follow up on this - I've cut some of my strips up to make window frames and (of course) now they are acting funny.
In looking at the strips, you mentioned the 1 meter lengths and the diodes and/or pads where diodes should be. But it looks like in the shuffle from full strips to window frames, mine got cut a little different. I will try to explain: Looking at the original / OEM flex strips:
Most if not all of mine seem to start with an R1 resistor, then a segment with a diode, then 3 blank space segments, so the sequence of each 3 LED segment is like:
R1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
[solder joints to next flex strip segment]
R1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
[solder joints to next flex strip segment]
This completes one 1 meter section, then the pattern repeats throughout the strip.
So I cut them up and made the frames thinking as long as I started with either a resistor or diode, I'd be fine. So I wound up with:
Frame 1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Diode
R1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads [string works fine to here]
[this is all black]
Diode
Blank Pads
R1
Diode
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
....
Frame 2
R1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads [String works to here]
[this is all black]
R1
Diode
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
Blank Pads
...
I've checked both frames and they seem to have 12 volt power all the way through. I would not think having extra diodes is a bad thing...5 diodes in parallel would be able to move the same amount of power (and more) compared to one diode - correct? I'm also curious why frame 2 seems to go dark right at the point where the sequence is actually correct (R1, D1, blank, blank, blank) Plus if I add more jumpers to working sections, its not like they go out - they just keep working.
I've tried the exact same controller on a virgin strip and it lights all the way through - so doesn't seem to be a controller issue.
One thought which seems pretty far fetched - The OEM string has VC+, GND, GND, In/Out tabs, I notice the input wires are soldered VC+, GND, [skip], In/out, then throughout the string the tabs are soldered 1:1 across the bridges. When I did mine, I just lumped the two grounds together throughout the string, thinking more ground would be better. Can't see this making a difference, plus why would two segments work and not a third? I've double checked that all segments are 'flowing' correctly...in>out>in>out, etc.
Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated!