<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/The-official-Hue-Controller-for-their-Lightstrip-Plus-kit-1024x768.jpg\")
However, it doesn\u2019t come with Hue\u2019s light strip extension kit, which is slightly different from the normal light strip kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disappointingly, you can\u2019t buy the controller individually to add to your extension kit. Are there any ‘workarounds’ to this problem? Alternatively, Can you purchase a different controller to use with your light strip extension kit from Hue?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can You Use a Third-Party Controller with Your Hue Light Strips?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/A-third-party-GLEDOPTO-controller-for-LED-light-strips-768x1024.jpg\")
A third party GLEDOPTO controller for LED light strips<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nTheoretically yes, provided it runs on Zigbee<\/a>. However, this isn\u2019t very practical in the real world because of some reasons;<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. First, Hue\u2019s light strips run at 24V. It means that you have to ensure any light strip controller that you decide to integrate with your striplights also runs at this<\/strong>. Otherwise, using a light strip controller with a different voltage rating may lead to your Hue light strips regularly cutting out and\/or malfunctioning. Yet, many third-party controllers only run at 12V, which may lead to problems if you pair them with your LED lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Second, you won\u2019t have great color matching<\/a> as well as transitions unlike if you use the Hue light strip controller<\/strong>. That\u2019s because the company created some specific color and hue choices with their official controller that third-party LED light strip controllers find hard to replicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you decide to buy a third-party Hue light strip controller anyway, here\u2019s what you should keep in mind;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- First, the controller must be 6-pin because original Hue light strips come only with a 6-pin connector designed to connect seamlessly with the Hue controller<\/strong>. Most importantly, there are four types of indoor Philips Hue LED light strips available. These are; the V1, V2, V3, and V4 Hue light strips with the last one being the latest.
Now, the first three light strips (V1, V2, and V3) all feature a STANDARD 6-pin connector or adapter. On the contrary, the latest one uses a MICRO 6-pin connector and NOT the standard connector. Keeping that in mind, pay attention to your light strips’ connector design. If it\u2019s the standard 6-pin, choose an LED light strip controller that supports just that. If it\u2019s micro-6-pin, again, look for a controller that works with just that. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/The-six-pin-Hue-Lightstrip-connector-1024x986.jpg\")
The six pin Hue Lightstrip connector<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n- Secondly, it must be an RGB+CCT\u2013supporting Hue light strip controller that provides full control of white colors<\/strong>. RGB is an abbreviation for Red, Green, and Blue, which are the primary colors<\/a> and also the most common base colors for LED light strips. These are also the colors LED light strips and electronic displays use to create white!
On the other hand, CCT stands for \u201cCorrelated Color Temperature\u201d. This phrase means that the LED striplight can adjust its color temperature to change between warm white and white. Philips Hue LED light strips do have this capability hence they are RGB+CCT rated.
To ensure that you\u2019ll get the most out of your third-party light strip controller, choose a controller that is equally rated RGB+CCT. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nPhilips Hue V1-V3 Lightstrip Off-Cuts Limitation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some LED light strips can be cut and then you can use the off-cut (the remaining part that you have cut off). <\/em>But when it comes to Philips Hue light strips, you often can\u2019t do that, which is quite disappointing. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou see, an LED light strip<\/a> is generally fixed in length and sometimes you may end up buying one that\u2019s too long than the length you need. In that case, you can cut the light strip<\/a> in the right place to fit a specific area of your home without destroying its functionality, thanks to the designated cut lines that show you where to cut:<\/p>\n\n\n
Theoretically yes, provided it runs on Zigbee<\/a>. However, this isn\u2019t very practical in the real world because of some reasons;<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. First, Hue\u2019s light strips run at 24V. It means that you have to ensure any light strip controller that you decide to integrate with your striplights also runs at this<\/strong>. Otherwise, using a light strip controller with a different voltage rating may lead to your Hue light strips regularly cutting out and\/or malfunctioning. Yet, many third-party controllers only run at 12V, which may lead to problems if you pair them with your LED lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Second, you won\u2019t have great color matching<\/a> as well as transitions unlike if you use the Hue light strip controller<\/strong>. That\u2019s because the company created some specific color and hue choices with their official controller that third-party LED light strip controllers find hard to replicate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you decide to buy a third-party Hue light strip controller anyway, here\u2019s what you should keep in mind;<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some LED light strips can be cut and then you can use the off-cut (the remaining part that you have cut off). <\/em>But when it comes to Philips Hue light strips, you often can\u2019t do that, which is quite disappointing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You see, an LED light strip<\/a> is generally fixed in length and sometimes you may end up buying one that\u2019s too long than the length you need. In that case, you can cut the light strip<\/a> in the right place to fit a specific area of your home without destroying its functionality, thanks to the designated cut lines that show you where to cut:<\/p>\n\n\n
Now, the first three light strips (V1, V2, and V3) all feature a STANDARD 6-pin connector or adapter. On the contrary, the latest one uses a MICRO 6-pin connector and NOT the standard connector. Keeping that in mind, pay attention to your light strips’ connector design. If it\u2019s the standard 6-pin, choose an LED light strip controller that supports just that. If it\u2019s micro-6-pin, again, look for a controller that works with just that. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
On the other hand, CCT stands for \u201cCorrelated Color Temperature\u201d. This phrase means that the LED striplight can adjust its color temperature to change between warm white and white. Philips Hue LED light strips do have this capability hence they are RGB+CCT rated.
To ensure that you\u2019ll get the most out of your third-party light strip controller, choose a controller that is equally rated RGB+CCT. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nPhilips Hue V1-V3 Lightstrip Off-Cuts Limitation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.smarthomewinner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/A-Philips-Hue-Lightstrip-Plus-v4-1024x768.jpg\")