Can I wire this LED strip to my pedalboard easily?

[P-Ride]

Hey, I'm assembling all the parts to finish my Pedaltrain Junior (2015) build.

As referenced elsewhere, these no longer have a plate for drilling, but a gap, requiring a new solution - perspex, I believe.

Items
Van Damme instrument cable (different colours for each loop)
Switchcraft jacks (right-angle and straight)
Neutrik locking jacks
A3 sheet of frosted perspex

I plan to cut the Perspex and fit it to the inside of the board's back vent, with neutrik locking jacks drilled into it for guitar, amp and FX send-return.

Given I'll have frosted perspex facing the audience, I thought I'd add some LEDs.

My pedals are running from a Voodoo Labs PP2+ and I only have one socket left, with two potential pedals to add, later.

However, my Boss TU3 has a power output, currently unused.

I just ordered one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171893318843.

Can I simply slice that Molex end off and solder the two wires to a 2.1mm DC tip?

If so, how do I check which wire goes to which tip?

I'm aware it's 12V, but have seen other strips advertised at 9-12V, so thought it'd be worth a crack for £10, as 9V strips are much more rare.

Is the wiring as straight-forward as I've guessed?

Thanks!

 

[Halikus]

I work with LED strips like this on my quadcopters all the time and despite saying 12v they are quite happy to work on pretty much anything from 5v up to 18v though at those voltages they tend to a) blind you and b) get rather warm. As for polarity they are usually marked on the strip at the point the wires are soldered in so it should be easy to check. In this case as its connected to a molex the outside wire on the plugs edge is the positive

Also next time, if theres a next time, go to hobbyking as you get meter rolls of whatever colour you want for like £2 which can be cut down to any length and is sticky backed.

 

[P-Ride]

I work with LED strips like this on my quadcopters all the time and despite saying 12v they are quite happy to work on pretty much anything from 5v up to 18v though at those voltages they tend to a) blind you and b) get rather warm. As for polarity they are usually marked on the strip at the point the wires are soldered in so it should be easy to check. In this case as its connected to a molex the outside wire on the plugs edge is the positive

So it really is as simple as slice and solder?

I have just bought a really good soldering iron (on recommendation) but have not soldered yet. I shall be learning as I go!

How do you normally solder two wires like that together? Just twist and apply a little tinning to each, then electrical tape over each?

 

[Halikus]

Yes it really is as simple as slice the strip to the size you want add new wires and wire it all to the dc jack in.

I wouldn't even bother twisting the wires, tin both wires with loads of solder, tin the tip with loads, hold together and melt the solder together, that's it. The final joint should be done in like 2 seconds max, if it takes longer your iron isn't hot enough. heatshrink for neatness (to hide sloppy joint lol).

I'm getting all these ideas for cool ambient lit pedal boards now kudos!

 

[P-Ride]

I wouldn't even bother twisting the wires, tin both wires with loads of solder, tin the tip with loads, hold together and melt the solder together, that's it. The final joint should be done in like 2 seconds max, if it takes longer your iron isn't hot enough. heatshrink for neatness (to hide sloppy joint lol).

I'm getting all these ideas for cool ambient lit pedal boards now kudos!

Ah, I can get heatshrink at Maplins (UK equivalent of Radioshack).

Do I have to buy a heat gun for it? Can I use a lighter?!

Yeah, I have been thinking about lighting for reading the pedals, but don't think LEDs will work, as it would require an above-pedal source.

I think a simple row of white LEDs behind the panel will be great though!

 

[Halikus]

you can get heatshrink at maplins or get cheaper via evil bay.

A lighter or the hot iron will be perfect to shrink it down.

I'm thinking of using a baffle and some stick on mirror to direct the leds onto my pedals.

Maybe you could get something etched into the perspex for cool factor!

 

[P-Ride]

you can get heatshrink at maplins or get cheaper via evil bay.

A lighter or the hot iron will be perfect to shrink it down.

I'm thinking of using a baffle and some stick on mirror to direct the leds onto my pedals.

Maybe you could get something etched into the perspex for cool factor!

I was thinking about that! Could do a number of things with the Perspex.. I'll get her assembled first, then take a look!

Thinking of getting my wah modded with TBP and a lightplate.. Maybe red, if the board is white!

 

[Halikus]

http://imgur.com/an4Ham7

somthing along these lines should work.