DIY LED strip makers, where are you?

[chuckdallas]

At the Miami Boat Show, I saw a guy with LED strips that are hard wired into a metal track, and sealed to keep the saltwater out. I bought one thinking that I could use it under the aquarium, since it's long, thin and compact. The seller told me that he sold them with the two wires hanging out both ends so people could daisy chain them together and they could be powered with a 12 V battery. Does it matter which wire (one white, one black) on the LED strip goes on the positive terminal of the battery? Do I need to connect the two wires at the end of the strip to "complete" the circuit, in order to power the strip?

I was thinking it would be pretty much "plug & play" but it hasn't worked yet. I will test the 12 Volt battery next but wanted to ask here too.

 

[tommy tomato]

hey chuck! can you see the solder points on the leds? leds are usually labeled + and - at the connection points, so you you should be able to trace it back.. if not, my educated guess would tell me that he used black for - and white for +

 

[chuckdallas]

Any other suggestions from the general populace?

 

[chuckdallas]

Thanks. I'm going to the Palm Beach Frag Swap this weekend, so hopefully someone can help me with it.

 

[chuckdallas]

bump

 

[chuckdallas]

Do I need to connect the wires on the strip that are opposite from where the battery will be to "complete" the circuit?