MR 16 and 5050 led strip

[SteveMaris]

Can someone help me out please.  I have an mr-16 I have not built yet. I was planning on buying this strip: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

I am assuming I can cut this in 5 pcs. and make 5,3 channel strips. (15 channels) am I correct?
Sorry for the dumb Question, I know I am a couple years behind most here, but I am trying...
Also which strips are used for individual pixel control?
Thank you, Steve

[mmais68569]

Here is the one I am testing for next year.
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it is a few dollars more but you get 60 LED/ meter not the 30LED /meter of the one you posted. I put these on my roof last night & they are very bright & vivid color. They can also be cut every 3 LED so your lengths can be a little bit closer.
This is only a recommendation. They will also work with you on price if a quantity is ordered.

            Mike

[rrawlings]

The 60/M strips you posted about, and gave the eBay link.  Are they a common + or - ?  I guess what I am getting at is it directly compatible with the MR16?

[JonB256]

Neither of the two Ebay postings actually say Common Positive. That is what you need to be directly compatible with the MR16.

I have LOTS of RGB 5050 ribbon and every one has been Common Positive. At the cut points, they always show 4 connections (+12, R, B, G)  If is says +12, then it is Common Positive. The order of R G B may change, though.

How were you planning to wire these to your MR16? The reason I ask is that I tried stripping back the waterproof layer and soldering to the copper pads but had very low strength joints (as in lots of failures once I moved things).

If soldering is your plan, try to mount them permanently before soldering. There are "clamp on" style connectors that you can try.

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I have some of these and they work well. You still have to peel off the waterproof layer, then slide the strip in under the metal fingers, then close the clamp.

[SteveMaris]

Thanks for the link. I will be getting some of these. 

[Heinekenator]

Hello.

In the description for the connectors it does mention that they are for the non-waterproof strips. Would these work well with the waterproof ones, and is the connection pretty waterproof?

Thanks.

[JonB256]

I have used them on the waterproof strips, but only after using a knife to help peel off the waterproof layer down to the "non-waterproof" part. There is also a thin layer on the bottom where they put the adhesive, but I didn't need to do anything with it.

Once you get the strip under the four contact fingers, you clamp it shut. You will need to re-waterproof at that point. You could use brush on liquid electrical tape or silicone caulking. I suppose you might want to put a blob inside the electrical area before you closed and clamped it.