LSC Smart Connect RGBCCT LED Strip: Cutting Guide and Compatible Connector Types

basend12 wrote:

Help needed: Cutting LED strip and choosing the right connector

Hi everyone! I recently bought an LSC Smart Connect RGB/CCT LED strip (10m, 24V DC, WiFi 2.4GHz, 1400 lumen max) and I need some guid...

Initial assessment of available information
- Your LSC Smart Connect 10 m “XXL” strip (24 V, Wi‑Fi) is the Action/LSC model that the vendor states can change color per 25 cm segment. That points to a digital, segment‑addressable architecture rather than a classic analog RGB/RGBCCT bus. (action.com)
- Community teardowns of recent LSC RGBIC+CCT strips (e.g., 3203632.x) show one single data line (DI/DO) daisy‑chaining small driver ICs (SM16703/GZX16703) per segment; the “CW/WW” pads often exist on the controller PCB but are not used to the strip. In other words: power (+24 V, GND) plus one data line drive the strip. (community.home-assistant.io)
- 24 V “RGBIC”/SM16703‑class strips are normally 3‑wire systems (V+, DATA, GND) and commonly use 3‑pin strip connectors or JST‑SM 3‑pin pigtails. (suntechlite.com)

Taken together, your pads labeled +24V, DI, GND are the functional ones. The extra pads you see (N, Rv; sometimes C/W/Do markings nearby) are typically unused test/reserved or the mirrored label for the opposite side of the cut (DO vs DI). This matches what we see on LSC digital strips.

Direct answer to the question
- Connector type: Use a 3‑pin connector intended for addressable/digital strips (V+, Data, GND) that matches your strip width (most LSC 24 V digital strips are 12 mm; some are 10 mm—please measure). Do not buy generic “RGBW/RGBCCT 5‑pin” analog connectors. (superlightingled.com)
- Cutting: Cut only on the scissor/copper mark; keep the cut perpendicular across the pads; power must be disconnected. (action.com)
- Safest reconnection: For long‑term reliability, solder short leads (or JST‑SM 3‑pin pigtails) to +24V, DI/DO, and GND. If you prefer no solder, use a quality 3‑pin, 10/12 mm “addressable/RGBIC” clamp connector sized to your strip. (superlightingled.com)

Detailed problem analysis
1) Why not 5‑ or 6‑pin “RGBW/RGBCCT” clip connectors?
- Those are made for analog strips where each color/white channel has its own power trace. Your LSC strip uses a serial data line (DI/DO) and on‑board drivers. A 5‑pin analog connector will not line up logically with the data pad and can create unreliable or wrong connections. The vendor info (25 cm segment color control) and community teardowns confirm the addressable design. (action.com)

2) What are the pads I actually need to bridge?
- On the “upstream” side (toward the controller) you’ll typically see DO at the cut; on the “downstream” side you’ll see DI. The bridge must connect:
- +24V to +24V
- GND to GND
- DO (upstream) to DI (downstream)
- Extra pads such as N/Rv are usually not used by the strip electronics. If in doubt, confirm with a multimeter that they don’t continue along the strip tracks.

3) Which solderless connector should I look for?
- Search for: “3‑pin 12 mm addressable/RGBIC/WS2811/SM16703 strip connector” or “3‑pin 12 mm strip‑to‑strip joiner.” These are sold specifically for 3‑wire digital strips and come in straight and L‑shapes. Example category: 3‑pin 12 mm strip connectors for RGBIC/WS2811. (superlightingled.com)

4) If I decide to solder, what’s the plug standard?
- JST‑SM 3‑pin pigtails are the de‑facto standard for addressable strips: red = +24 V, white/yellow/green = Data, black = GND. Verify colors before powering.

5) Current and reliability considerations
- The XXL strip is specified as 24 W total on the vendor page, so currents are modest (~1 A at 24 V). Even so, poor clip contacts on the data pad can cause flicker or “stuck” segments. Soldered joints or good‑quality 3‑pin clips minimize that risk. (action.com)

Current information and trends
- LSC’s newer “RGBIC+CCTIC” budget strips use 24 V constant‑voltage segments driven by SM16703/GZX16703‑class chips over a single data chain. The ecosystem around these (OpenBeken/ESPHome) confirms the single‑data‑line architecture; CW/WW may be emulated within the segment logic rather than separate copper channels. (community.home-assistant.io)

Supporting explanations and details
- Direction matters: follow the arrows. Data must flow Controller → DI → segment → DO → next DI, etc. If you reverse a piece, the downstream section will not respond.
- Pad count vs. used nets: It’s common to expose extra pads for factory test, future variants, or mirroring DI/DO labels across a cut. Only three tracks (+24, Data, GND) typically run the full length on these LSC strips. (community.home-assistant.io)
- Strip width: Most 24 V digital strips are 10–12 mm wide; connector must match exactly. 12 mm 3‑pin connectors are widely available. (superlightingled.com)

Ethical and safety aspects
- Always disconnect from mains and 24 V supply before cutting or connecting.
- Avoid acidic/silicone sealants that outgas acetic acid; use neutral‑cure silicone if sealing joints.

Practical guidelines
Cutting
- Unplug power.
- Cut exactly on the scissors/copper icon—straight across. Clean pads with isopropyl alcohol. (action.com)

Solderless reconnection (easiest, if it fits your strip width)
- Choose a 3‑pin addressable/RGBIC connector for your measured width (10 or 12 mm). Slide both cut ends into a “strip‑to‑strip” clip, align copper pads, and latch firmly. Test before mounting. (superlightingled.com)

Soldered reconnection (most reliable)
- Tin the three pads (+24V, DI/DO, GND) and 3 wires (22 AWG for power, 24 AWG for Data).
- Keep joints short and shiny; add heat‑shrink and strain relief. Optionally terminate with JST‑SM 3‑pin pigtails for a detachable join.

Corner or gap
- Use a 3‑pin L‑joiner for your width, or solder three short wires to form the corner.

Testing
- After any join, power up and run a color/CCT effect from the app. Verify that downstream segments respond cleanly with no flicker.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes
- LSC sells multiple variants. While all evidence for the XXL 10 m points to a 3‑wire digital chain, please verify your board width and check with a multimeter that only +24 V, DI/DO, and GND continue past the cut. This avoids buying the wrong connector. (action.com)

Suggestions for further research
- If you later want local control or Home Assistant integration, search for OpenBeken notes on your controller revision; threads document the single‑data‑line behavior and pin roles for LSC strips. (elektroda.com)

Brief summary
- Use a 3‑pin addressable/RGBIC connector (or JST‑SM 3‑pin) matched to your strip width. Do not use generic 5‑pin analog RGBW/RGBCCT connectors. Cut only on the copper/scissor mark. For best reliability, solder the three nets (+24 V, Data, GND), or use a good 3‑pin 10/12 mm strip clip. (action.com)

Questions for you
- Measure the PCB width of your strip at the cut point: 10 mm or 12 mm?
- Are you joining two pieces in a straight line, making a corner, or adding a detachable plug?
- Can you post a close‑up of the pads on both sides of the cut line so I can confirm the pad order (+24V / DI/DO / GND) and advise an exact connector SKU?