LED lighting is an innovative, effective and energy-efficient technology that not only lasts much longer than alternative light sources but also puts the user in full control of a range of fantastic colour displays and dynamic effects. Whether you need colour-changing, single-colour or tuneable lighting, there is bound to be an LED strip or module to suit your requirements.
An LED controller will give you even more design flexibility, as you can change the colour, brightness or patterns of your lights spontaneously or scheduled for specific times. And that's not all—there are actually controllers available that manage your lights wirelessly or through a WiFi connection.
In this article, we explain what wireless LED controllers are and what to consider when finding a wireless controller for your LED light system. We'll also highlight some excellent controllers available from WeLoveLEDs to help you find the right device for your lighting needs.
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What are wireless LED controllers and how do they work?
Wireless LED controllers work in a similar way to normal LED controllers except they can be operated by wireless transmission without a physical cable. Whereas a dimmer or DMX controller would need to be connected to the LEDs by a cable and operated with a remote control or directly from the unit, a wireless controller can be managed from a wireless transmitter or even from your smartphone via an app.
The benefits of these devices are clear. You can have much more control over your LED lights without having to manually operate them, and smart lighting units such as the RGB LED controller will provide you with a variety of creative settings and effects to try out using your smartphone.
Wireless transceivers are designed to be used with a wireless receiver, as the former will turn standard wired DMX data into a wireless signal for the latter to turn back into DMX so it can control the lights. One thing to note is that, because most wireless transmitters, receivers and transceivers use a 2.4GHz working frequency which is the same as WiFi networks, there may be signal issues if the network you are using is crowded or goes down. You therefore need an open frequency space for these units and the lights to work.
Which wireless controller do I need?
When choosing the right wireless controller for your LEDs, there are a few things you must consider about the types of device and lighting you are planning to use. Firstly, wireless receivers, transmitters and decoders have a range that defines the maximum distance between the device and the lights. If you want to control your lights from a long distance, your controller will need to offer a sufficient range to accommodate this.
A small-scale project could do with a simple transmitter and receiver, but a project of a larger scale might need something such as the DMX Wireless Decoder with OLED Display. This driver has a communication range of 350 metres at the maximum transmitted power, making it ideal for big events with lots of lighting.
Finally, you will need to consider how many colour effects or patterns you want your lighting display to make use of. If you intend on having a range of LED lights that switch settings at different intervals, something like the RGB Smart WiFi Controller is perfect. This will allow you to control every aspect of your lighting display from an app on your smartphone.
Wireless LED controllers from WeLoveLEDs
This WiFi LED controller establishes a link between the controller and your iOS or Android smartphone through your WiFi network. Through a simple app, you can change the brightness of your single-colour or colour temperature LEDs, adjust a range of effects or simply choose different colours for your RGB strips or bulbs.
This LED receiver works with our wireless transmitter to get information via a 300Hz~20KHz PWM pulse signal. When these are set to the same frequency, the receiver will repeat the signal sent from the transmitter. One transmitter can be used with several receivers. These are an ideal solution for LED lighting projects requiring wireless control, such as from one side of a road to another or between buildings, river banks, etc. The receiver has a maximum 5A current load and 5v, 12v or 24v output. It can be used with any of our single-colour and RGB modules and strips (RGB will require an RGB controller to achieve the desired colours).
This transceiver uses wireless transmission to transfer the standard DMX512 protocol data. It can work as both a transmitter and a receiver. It adopts the 2.4GHZ RF global open ISM frequency and has 64 individual channel groups that can be chosen independently to avoid interference. This transceiver is designed for data transmission between a DMX console and LED lights, or between lights to replace the wired transmission.
DMX Wireless Decoder with OLED Display
This is a constant voltage unit with four channels that wirelessly receives the standard DMX512 protocol. It is ideal for dimming RGB, RGBW, colour temperature and single-colour LED strips. It has a self-test inspection mode that can test the quality of the wireless connection during installation. Designed to be used with the DMX Wireless Transceiver.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you need an LED strip light controller?
An LED controller will allow you to alter, control and operate your LED strip lights to your personal preference and project requirements. Using a controller can also prolong the lifespan of your LED strips by regulating the power supply and reducing the likelihood of overpowering or blowing out the system.
What types of lighting can I control with a wireless LED controller?
Wireless controllers are compatible with a range of different LED lights. You will be able to operate anything from simple single-colour LEDs such as our Classic range of LED strips, to our colour-changing RGB strips. These devices enable you to produce a creative and easily manageable lighting system for any application or event.
