I keep seeing the same pattern in real installs: colorful RGB effects look “good enough”, then you switch to white (or crank brightness) and the tail end suddenly looks dim, tinted, or uneven.
This post is about standard constant voltage strips (not individually addressable): the common 12V or 24V RGB and RGBW types.
Why white exposes problems
White usually means higher current. Higher current makes every bit of resistance matter (strip copper, wires, connectors). The result is voltage drop, and white makes small differences obvious.
Wiring basics (the short version)
RGB strip
Power supply → PWM controller input (V+ and V-)
Controller output → strip pads (V+ R G B), match labels one to one
RGBW strip
Same idea, plus the W channel: V+ R G B W
Use an RGBW controller (RGB controllers cannot properly drive a separate W channel)
The checklist that fixes most “mysterious” issues
Leave power headroom
Do not size the PSU right at the limit. Margin helps stability, especially on white and low dim levels.
Do not force all current through one end
Longer runs need parallel feeding or multiple feed points. Otherwise the tail is guaranteed to suffer.
Treat connectors as a failure point
Loose plugs and thin jumpers add resistance and heat. Fewer, better terminations beat more accessories.
12V vs 24V reality
24V is usually easier for longer runs because it draws less current for the same brightness, so you get less loss and less heat.
Quick question for the community
When you see “white looks pink/green at the end”, do you usually fix it with extra feed points, thicker feeders, or both?
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