Hi guys,

First time poster who's spent the last 36 hours trawling the interwebs and getting himself in a tizzy!

I made a 3d printed name light for my son using a 5v usb RGB led tape light for the lighting, however the usb end is quite inelegant and just hangs out the back of the lights, and the length of the usb cable is tiny.

I'd like to swap the usb plug on the end for something nicer, and was wondering if a usb socket on the name light, or a usb to barrel connector would be possible, and if it's just a case of chopping the usb plug off and soldering the + and - to a new usb socket or barrel plug, or if I'd need something extra in between. I'm now terrified of electrocuting the entire block of flats I live in........

 

If you are adequately skilled in electrical connecting,an alternative would be an alternative 5 volt supply connected more directly to either a USB extension connector that mates to the present USB connector, or else a 5 volt supply that can be wired more directly into the connector of the controller device. five volt regulated supplies that are not phone chargers do exist and are often available. That could give you a nicer package and a much longer cord.
BUT the skill set is not trivial, and would include soldering and connecting wires, and the TS skill level and resources are unknowns.

 

I’ve used the same strips. The plug contains a common connection, and one pin apiece for R, G, and B LEDs.

The plug can fit into a 4 pin 0.1” female header.

I haven’t done so yet, but I plan on doing something similar to what you desire. I’m not sure if the common connection is to 5V or ground. I think it’s ground; the wire is black. The three colors are color coded to the LED color.
You can solder wires from a power supply to the header. V- or ground goes to black. Then wire the pin which connects to the blue wire to 5V.

Test before soldering!

I’d use heat shrink tubing, hot melt glue, tape or even use gel super glue to hold the connections together. Shrink wrap tubing or hot melt glue would be my #1 and #2 preferences.

 

The easiest (and maybe best) solution is to get a USB extension cable from a dollar store.

 

I’m not sure if the common connection is to 5V or ground. I think it’s ground; the wire is black.

The common BLACK wire is V+. Why is positive black? Because red was ready taken to identify the red LED connection.

 

The common BLACK wire is V+. Why is positive black? Because red was ready taken to identify the red LED connection.

Maybe!

 

Every strip I have seen and every controller I have used, so "maybe" is pretty good odds.

 

A USB extension from the dollar store will be poor quality at best.

 

Thanks for the help guys! I ended up ordering a barrel socket and cut the cables on the strip light and it really was as simple as soldering the power wires from the RGB controller to the socket,and a usb to barrel cable to the phone charger. I think I way overthought this!

(Barrel socket rated for 5amps, phone charger output 2.5amps, 30 LEDs @ max 1.8a, that sounds safe right? )

 

It does sound safe enough. My only concern would be the phone charger, because those are of a widely variable quality range, depending on the maker.