Armacost RibbonFlex PRO Continuous White Outdoor LED Tape Light

Important Safety Information

IMPORTANT:

• Use only with low-voltage constant voltage DC power supplies.
• Never connect LED tape light directly to 120-volt household power.
• Do not power LED tape while coiled on a reel, as the LEDs will overheat. The mounting surface acts as a heat sink to dissipate heat.
• Never connect more than one power supply to a single run of LED lighting.
• Do not install tape light where it can come in direct contact with water. Avoid long-term use in high humidity environments.
• Use certified CL2 or better cabling for wire runs inside walls.
• Do not install low-voltage DC wiring in the same runs as 120-volt AC power.

All wiring must comply with national and local electrical codes for low-voltage Class 2 circuits. If you are unsure about installation and wiring, consult a qualified professional.

Planning Your Lighting

RibbonFlex LED lighting is designed for indirect lighting applications, meaning the LEDs themselves are not intended to be seen directly. The final lighting appearance is influenced by installation location, wall colors, mounting angles, and light reflection. Subtle adjustments to positioning and angle can significantly impact the overall lighting effect.

Choosing a Power Supply

RibbonFlex LED tape operates on low voltage and requires a power supply to convert 120-volt household AC power to low-voltage DC power. The choice of power supply depends on how you intend to control the lighting (on/off or dimming).

Using Standard 120-Volt AC Dimmers

To use a 120-volt AC dimmer (e.g., Lutron® style), your Armacost Lighting LED driver/power supply must be clearly labeled as dimmable with 120-volt AC dimmers. Using a non-dimmable power supply with an AC dimmer will damage the power supply.

Typical Wiring Diagram with AC Dimmer

This diagram illustrates connecting a dimmable LED driver to a 120-volt AC power source and then to the low-voltage LED tape light. It shows:

• A 120-volt AC source with a black wire (hot) and a white wire (neutral).
• A green wire for ground.
• A dimmable LED driver/power supply with input terminals for AC power and output terminals for low-voltage DC.
• The output of the driver connects to the LED tape light, maintaining correct polarity (+ to + and - to -).
• A note advises consulting the power supply instructions for AC dimmer compatibility.

Note: When using a 120-volt AC dimmer, the dimmable LED driver/power supply must be directly wired to household current.

Large Lighting Application with Multiple LED Drivers

This diagram shows multiple dimmable LED drivers, each connected to the 120-volt AC household current, powering separate runs of LED tape lighting.

Using Low-Voltage LED Dimmers

If an in-wall AC dimmer is not practical, Armacost offers low-voltage dimmers. This setup involves:

• A 120-volt AC outlet powering a low-voltage DC power supply.
• The DC power supply connects to a low-voltage LED dimmer (e.g., RF or Wi-Fi receiver).
• The dimmer then controls the LED tape light.
• Control can be managed via a smartphone or wireless touchpad.

RV, Boat, and Solar System Applications

For these applications, LED tape lighting can be powered directly by a battery. The setup includes:

• A battery.
• Fuse protection.
• A switch.
• A low-voltage LED dimmer controlling the tape light.

Power Supply Sizing: Determining Wattage Requirements

Choosing a higher wattage power supply does not necessarily allow for longer tape lengths. It does, however, permit more lighting legs in an array design. Exceeding the maximum lengths listed in the table below will result in LEDs farthest from the power supply appearing dimmer at 100% brightness due to voltage drop. A higher wattage supply will not mitigate voltage drop.

Typical Design Configurations

These diagrams illustrate common ways to connect LED tape lights to a power supply and controller:

• Straight Run: A single power supply connected to one continuous length of LED tape.
• Center Feed: A single power supply connected to the center of two separate lengths of LED tape (Leg 1 and Leg 2).
• Loop Back: A single power supply connected to one end of a length of LED tape, which then loops back to connect to the other end.
• Array: A single power supply connected to multiple separate lengths of LED tape (Leg 1, Leg 2, Leg 3, etc.), forming an array.

Maximum Recommended Tape Length

How to Calculate Total Wattage Required

Determine the watts used for each leg of lighting using the chart below. A straight run is one leg; a center feed is two equal length legs; an array can have many legs. Only include the lengths of LED tape, not connecting wires. Sum the watts for each leg to find the total required wattage at 100% brightness.

Approximate Watts Used at Full Brightness

165 Lumens/Foot

315 Lumens/Foot

442 Lumens/Foot

Note: Watts used refers to the power consumed by the LED lighting system, not the power supply's rating. Always choose a power supply rated at or greater than your needs.

Power Supply Location and Voltage Drop

To ensure brighter and more consistent lighting, keep the wire leads between the power supply and the LED lighting as short as possible. For guidance on minimizing voltage drop, visit armacostlighting.com/voltagedrop for an easy-to-use voltage drop calculator.

How to Cut Tape Light

The LED tape can be cut at specific points:

• Position A: Cut directly in the center of the copper pads using scissors for soldering or using connectors.
• Position B: Cut between copper pads. Note: Do not use connectors on these joints.

Important: Always observe the printed polarity indicators (+ / -) on the tape light to maintain correct polarity (+ to + and - to -) when making connections.

Using Connectors

Wire lead connectors are used for navigating corners or creating jumper cables to bridge gaps between sections of LED tape. To extend the wire length between two LED strips, cut the connector wire in two and splice in the required length of wire (18 gauge or heavier recommended). Avoid coiling excess wire, as shorter lengths and thicker wire reduce voltage drop and improve brightness.

Ensure all wire splice connections are secure and sealed using methods like soldering, electrical tape, crimp connectors, terminal blocks, or wire nuts.

Sealing Connections

Connections can be sealed using heat shrink tubing. A heat gun is used to shrink the tubing over the connection. A caution advises not to overheat the tape.

The process involves preparing the connection, applying the heat shrink tube, and carefully applying heat.

Mounting Surface Preparation

Mounting surfaces must be smooth, clean, completely dry, and free of dust. Ensure the surface temperature is above 60°F (15°C) before installing the LED tape strip. Thoroughly clean all mounting surfaces with isopropyl alcohol. Avoid common rubbing alcohol and household cleaners, as they may leave residues.

If installing on painted surfaces, ensure the paint is fully cured according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Be careful not to peel off the 3M adhesive from the LED strip; only remove the tan paper backing.

Wire Management

A wire support clip (Armacost item # 910100) is recommended to support power wire leads, especially when mounting under cabinets and shelves.

Troubleshooting

Tape Light Strip Does Not Light

• Ensure the LED power supply is receiving 120-volt power.
• Verify correct polarity (+ to + and - to -) when joining LED strips and connecting to the power supply.
• Check all tape light connections, as well as any switch or dimmer connections between the power supply and the LED tape light. Consider testing with a multimeter to confirm the light strip is receiving power.

LED Tape Lights Blink On and Off

• Your power supply may not be adequate for the length of LED tape light being used. Install a higher wattage power supply or reduce the total wattage used by shortening the LED tape light lengths.

LEDs Farthest from the Power Supply Are Noticeably Dimmer

• This is typically due to voltage drop. Decrease the length of the power feed wires or use thicker power feed wires between the power supply and the tape lighting.

For additional installation tips and FAQs, visit armacostlighting.com/installation.

Product Specifications

• Input Voltage: 24-volt DC
• Moisture Rating: IP67
• Beam Angle: 120°
• LED Light Source: COB

Refer to product packaging or visit armacostlighting.com for additional product-specific information.

Three-Year Limited Warranty

Improper installation, abuse, or failure to use this product for its intended purpose will void the warranty. This warranty applies only when all components, including LED power supplies, have been provided by or approved for use by Armacost Lighting. The warranty does not cover labor or any other costs or expenses to remove or install any defective, repaired, or replaced products.