Help with Andymark LED strip

[Mike Bortfeldt]

I can't tell from your pictures, but it looks like you may be using two separate power supplies without a common ground. Try connecting the grounds together and see if that works. Without a common ground, the led strip may not be interpreting the signals correctly. Another option is to power your Arduino from the same source as the LED strip.

Mike

[ILAMtitan]

I think Mike has this one nailed. Try connecting the gnd pin on the Arduino to your grounding slot on the terminal block. They both need to have the same 0V reference point to get valid data.

I assume you'll want to power it from the 5V regulator anyway, so it might be a good exercise to run the 5V to the Arduino as well. Disconnect it from your FTDI cable when you do this though.

[ninja edit] Don't power the Arduino via the 5V pin. Tying the grounds together shouldn't be an issue, but when you do install this and need external power, use the actual VIN and a 12V line from the Wago. Check the power section here for more info: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardEthernet

[Ferrous Knight]

Thank you so much for your advice it finally worked like it was supposed to. I followed what you guys said about the common ground and it fixed my problem. I can get back to coding the lights and do cool things now thanks again !