# LED light strip to X-Controller **URL:** \ **Category:** Upgrades\ **Created:** [January 31, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027 "2018-01-31T17:46:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/1 "2018-01-31T17:46:25Z")
I’ve seen a few threads showing LED lightning by means of an additional power supply/unit that is supplied with the LED strip. However, I was curious if it was possible to tie in an LED strip to the latest X-Controller. Ideally be able to have it wired in so that any time the X-controller is powered on the lights are running & vice versa. My intent is to run a small LED strip on the inside of my enclosure for the X-Carve for some additional light. I did a little bit of homework, but in the end I’m not confident sticking wires any ol’ place. Product page; [X-Controller Kit – Inventables, Inc.](https://www.inventables.com/technologies/x-controller-kit) Wiring diagrams; [A Fond Farewell to GrabCAD Workbench - GrabCAD Blog](https://workbench.grabcad.com/workbench/projects/gccWWqg7Xn5zxu1LdZaSw47oqtgERENMYrENtBVFZdqoJn#/space/gcJwpBtm1Xi6fwAxHTFBIGDQRc1Os0WlcxNAT9gWpzWs8w/link/346048) > **[A Fond Farewell to GrabCAD Workbench - GrabCAD Blog](https://blog.grabcad.com/blog/2022/08/09/a-fond-farewell-to-grabcad-workbench/)** > > GrabCAD Workbench laid the foundations of what GrabCAD is today and on June 1st, 2023, GrabCAD Workbench services will be discontinued. I’m not very saavy of electriconics, but I can follow instructions 🙂 Help electrical gurus! ![](https://i.imgur.com/s6j0c0W.gif) ---
**Author:** ![BrianSaban](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/briansaban/32/84709_2.png) [@BrianSaban](https://community.inventables.com/u/BrianSaban)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/2 "2018-01-31T18:07:34Z")
It’s a pretty easy upgrade, all you need is either 24v leds to hook directly to the 24v power supply in the xcontroller or the more available and cheaper 12v led strip with a DC step down regulator like [this](https://www.allelectronics.com/item/dcc-3m/step-down-dc-regulator-w/digital-meter/1.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5KqHteWC2QIVRQOGCh2QhgYgEAQYASABEgK6cPD_BwE). ---
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/3 "2018-01-31T18:42:06Z")
So wire directly into here accordingly; ![](http://x-carve-instructions.inventables.com/1000mm/step8/P6230081EDIT.jpg) something like this; > **[Amazon.com: LEDMY® Flexible Led Strip Lights, Strip Lights, DC 24V 12W SMD3528...](https://www.amazon.com/LEDMY-Flexible-certification-Waterproof-16-4Feet/dp/B00X7C4I9M)** > > Shop Amazon for LEDMY® Flexible Led Strip Lights, Strip Lights, DC 24V 12W SMD3528 150LEDs IP68 Waterproof Under Cabinet Lights Cool White 6000K 5Meter/ 16.4Feet, led Tape Lights Using for Homes, Kitchen Decortation and find millions of items,... Is there any considerations to be concerned with? I’d hate to exceed what the supply is intended for or rob any of the other components of power. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ChrisMatus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@ChrisMatus](https://community.inventables.com/u/ChrisMatus)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/4 "2018-01-31T22:11:15Z")
I would use a separate supply. You don’t want any electrical noise from the step down converter or the LEDS themselves to bleed into the power rails of the same supply that powers the brains of your Xcarve. ---
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/5 "2018-01-31T22:40:22Z")
Aha! This is the part where I go 🤔 Is there any way to remove or minimize noise that would work in such an instance (shielding the cables/ferrite/etc)? I’d be willing to take a gamble with a best case LED strip implementation so long as the risk is a runaway toolpath at worst. General consensus? ---
**Author:** ![FatKatOne](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/fatkatone/32/73156_2.png) [@FatKatOne](https://community.inventables.com/u/FatKatOne)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/6 "2018-01-31T23:34:51Z")
Here a how mine is all wired up works great > [@Main power control box and solid state relay control](https://community.inventables.com/t/main-power-control-box-and-solid-state-relay-control/33634): > > At one point a few weeks back I was asked to make a diagram of the wiring for my machine control box that I built for my X-carve, it uses the Solid State Relay from Inventables and parts from Home Depot, I use the X-controller to actuate the relay and control my spindle and “Small” shop vac automatically with the X-controller. My cabinet can be disabled with a single Mains switch. I also have a circuit for lighting using a standard 12v AC/DC adapter that I removed from its casing and hard wired … ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/7 "2018-01-31T23:52:59Z")
> [@PaulAlfaro](#): > > any considerations to be concerned with? How many LEDs are you going to use for your lighting? The entire 5 meters, or something shorter? ---
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/8 "2018-02-01T00:46:25Z")
Depending on what I can get away with safely. At the very least 3 feet along the top front face of my enclosure, but at most I’d guess around 9 feet. Thanks @FatKatOne, I’ll look into that thread in detail when I get home. Seems like add-ons at a glance, I’d like to keep everything tucked away in the X-controller if possible. ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/9 "2018-02-01T01:05:41Z")
If you have the original Inventables stepper motors and you are going to use the LED strips linked to above (24 volt) just hook the black wire from the LED strip to V- on the power supply and the red wire to V+ on the power supply. You have the 17 Amp version which should give you plenty of power. The power supply is protected for over current conditions and should shutdown if you draw too much current. I doubt that you would have any EMI issues as the LED strip above is just on/off for the LEDs, it doesn’t have any fancy controller embedded for multicolor/multifunction situations. [Edit] - you might want a switch to turn the LEDs on/off for those clandestine projects. That’s what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![BrianSaban](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/briansaban/32/84709_2.png) [@BrianSaban](https://community.inventables.com/u/BrianSaban)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/10 "2018-02-01T03:01:31Z")
I wouldn’t worry about any noise, you’re using small leds and the power supply in the controller is more than strong enough ---
**Author:** ![TreyBillings](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@TreyBillings](https://community.inventables.com/u/TreyBillings)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/11 "2018-02-01T17:03:14Z")
I’d recommend keeping it as separate as possible from the x-carve. We’re not talking a lot of watts here, and power supplies are cheap. You can use a relay like this and plug it into the mist output on the x-carve > **[Amazon.com: GEREE 12V 1-Channel Relay Module High Level Triger for Arduino PIC...](https://www.amazon.com/GEREE-1-Channel-Module-Triger-Arduino/dp/B00PLO10OU)** > > Amazon.com: GEREE 12V 1-Channel Relay Module High Level Triger for Arduino PIC AVR : Everything Else I use one (in part, it drives a bigger relay) to control my dust collector. M8 to turn it on, M9 to turn it off. ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/12 "2018-02-01T18:39:38Z")
> [@TreyBillings](#): > > I’d recommend keeping it as separate as possible from the x-carve. It is always interesting to hear what different people think. I would encourage you to give the reason that you would do as you suggest so that the OP can decide if your reasons are applicable to his situation. ---
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/13 "2018-02-01T19:07:29Z")
🍿🤗 I’m pulling the trigger on that specific LED strip linked above here shortly. Looking forward to any last input before making a final decision. ---
**Author:** ![TreyBillings](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@TreyBillings](https://community.inventables.com/u/TreyBillings)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/14 "2018-02-01T19:13:26Z")
Stuff breaks. Maybe the led’s adhesive allows the leds to fall, then they end up getting carved and making a short and damaging the power supply in the xcarve. Maybe under very specific circumstances, the power draw of the leds causes an under current to the steppers, causing missed steps. Granted those are 2 far out there examples, mostly my recommendation for separation is for the million other unknown items that you can’t say with absolute certainty will never happen. ---
**Author:** ![PaulAlfaro](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/paulalfaro/32/71869_2.png) [@PaulAlfaro](https://community.inventables.com/u/PaulAlfaro)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/16 "2018-02-02T05:33:33Z")
You guys are the best 🙂 Followed @LarryM advice with a small section (shy3 feet) of LEDs and it lit up. I have it just below the front top extrusion so that it wont shine towards me. Used the stock adhesive to position it, but I will be replacing it will some quality 3M tape. I’ll also print out a couple small tabs as a fail safe (3 in total evenly spaced) and bolt down the strip to the existing extrusion. Couple photos of the end result ![Photo Feb 01, 9 21 42 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/4/d/4d5481dc8b5f13875716006665867761a2f16bdc.jpg) ![Photo Feb 01, 9 23 19 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/d/3/d371aceefcdaebf755283888c120991f5055f445.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![JkWestphal](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/jkwestphal/32/53751_2.png) [@JkWestphal](https://community.inventables.com/u/JkWestphal)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/17 "2018-02-02T17:44:43Z")
Looking at this thread has me thinking of doing a LED light conversion to my machine as well however I am running the quiet cut spindle with a 48 volt power supply would I just get a converter to change it from 48 volt to 12 or 24 to feed the LEDs? ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/18 "2018-02-02T17:52:14Z")
> [@JkWestphal](#): > > I just get a converter to change it from 48 volt to 12 or 24 to feed the LEDs? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelRagonese](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/michaelragonese/32/75385_2.png) [@MichaelRagonese](https://community.inventables.com/u/MichaelRagonese)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/20 "2018-02-27T14:03:27Z")
I always keep three rolls of different widths of 3m brand body molding tape in the shop that you would get at an autobody supply store. Nothing falls off. ---
**Author:** ![NightFae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ccd318/32.png) [@NightFae](https://community.inventables.com/u/NightFae)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/led-light-strip-to-x-controller/50027/21 "2022-07-08T01:35:02Z")
That’s actually a good idea, why didn’t I think about it before?