# will it WLED - episode 6 (outdoor govee 164ft christmas string lights 2) Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK1xGBP-zhk Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/JK1xGBP-zhk Generated: 2025-12-05T14:39:55.567+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The video successfully demonstrates how to convert Govee Christmas String Lights 2 (which are natively designed for the Govee controller) to work with a Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU WLED controller by rewiring the 3-wire output from the Govee system to match the 5-wire input requirements of the Gledopto controller, enabling advanced WLED customization like music reactive effects and specific color control. **Key Points:** - The Govee Christmas String Lights 2 use a 3-wire connection (Data, Ground, Voltage) coming out of their proprietary controller. - The Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU WLED Controller requires a 5-wire connection (V+, GND, IO16, IO12, IO4, IO2, IO13, GND) for addressable/WLED setup. - The conversion involves cutting the Govee wire harness between the lights and the Govee controller, separating the 3 wires into the appropriate connections for the Gledopto controller. - The conversion maps the Govee Voltage wire (thicker, white dot) to the V+ terminal on the Gledopto controller, the Govee Ground wire (thicker, no dot) to the GND terminal, and the Govee Data wire (thinner) to GPIO 16 (IO16) for initial setup. - The conversion is made weather-resistant for outdoor use by placing the Govee controller and Gledopto controller inside a waterproof enclosure after wiring. - Once connected to WLED software (like JQLED), the lights successfully run advanced effects, including music reactivity and specific color gradients (e.g., red/green Christmas colors or blue/purple themes). ![Screenshot at 00:17: The initial step of the conversion process, showing the presenter holding the Govee light string wires that have been cut, preparing to identify and separate the three essential wires \(Data, Ground, Voltage\) before connecting them to the WLED controller.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-00-17.png) **Context:** This video serves as a technical tutorial demonstrating how to repurpose Govee Christmas String Lights 2, which typically only work with the proprietary Govee ecosystem, for use with an open-source, highly customizable WLED controller, specifically the Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU. The core challenge addressed is adapting the Govee's 3-wire connection system to the WLED controller's multi-channel input requirements to unlock advanced lighting features and integration. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the process of converting Govee Christmas String Lights 2 for use with a Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU WLED controller, allowing users to leverage WLED's advanced features. The Govee lights come with a proprietary controller that splits the data signal into five injection points along the 164-foot strand, but the main connection leading to the controller only has three wires (Data, Ground, Voltage). The presenter first identifies these three wires: the thick wire with a white dot is Voltage (V+), the other thick wire is Ground (GND), and the thin wire is Data. The presenter cuts the wire harness between the string and the Govee controller (00:03-01:10). To connect this to the Gledopto controller, the Govee Voltage wire connects to the V+ terminal (red) on the Gledopto output, the Govee Ground wire connects to a GND slot (black), and the Govee Data wire connects to the IO16 slot (blue) (01:47-02:00). After wiring, the presenter demonstrates using the JQLED app to configure the Gledopto controller for SK6812/WS2814 RGBW fairy pixels, setting the total LEDs to 500 and the maximum PSU current to 1800 mA (02:41-02:59). The video concludes by showcasing the lights operating with various WLED effects, including color gradients (red/green Christmas theme) and dynamic effects like 'Glitter' and 'Aurora', proving the conversion successful (04:00-05:34). For outdoor use, the presenter suggests placing the WLED controller and Govee controller inside a waterproof junction box (03:21-03:34). ### Govee Lights Overview - Govee Christmas String Lights 2 are 164ft with 500 lights, rated for indoor/outdoor use, and compatible with Matter, Alexa, and Google Home. ### Wire Identification & Preparation - The Govee string outputs three wires from the controller section: Voltage (thick, white dot), Ground (thick, no dot), and Data (thin); these are stripped using wire strippers (00:20-01:20). ### WLED Controller Setup (Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU) - The Gledopto controller takes DC 5-12-24V input and features multiple output channels (IO4, IO12, IO16, etc.). ### Wiring Conversion Steps - Govee Voltage connects to V+ (red output terminal), Govee Ground connects to GND (black output terminal), and Govee Data connects to IO16 (blue output terminal) on the Gledopto device (01:47-02:00). ### WLED Configuration - The WLED software (JQLED app) is configured for SK6812/WS2814 RGBW fairy pixels, with 500 total LEDs, 1800 mA current limit, and Data GPIO set to 16 (02:41-03:03). ### Demonstration of Effects - The converted lights successfully run WLED effects like 'Glitter', 'Colors 1&2' (red/green), and 'Aurora' (blue/purple gradients), showcasing full addressable control (04:00-05:34). ![Screenshot at 00:01: Front packaging of the Govee Christmas String Lights 2, highlighting its 164ft length and 500 LEDs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-00-01.png) ![Screenshot at 01:32: Close-up of the Gledopto Elite 4D-EXMU Advanced WLED Controller, showing input/output terminals and power options \(DC barrel, Type-C\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-01-32.png) ![Screenshot at 02:09: The presenter separating the three wires \(Voltage, Ground, Data\) from the Govee controller stub using their hands.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-02-09.png) ![Screenshot at 02:51: The WLED configuration screen in the JQLED app set to SK6812/WS2814/WSD2814 type and Data GPIO set to 16.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-02-51.png) ![Screenshot at 04:01: The Christmas tree displaying a full rainbow gradient effect using the WLED Colors tab, demonstrating the addressable nature of the lights.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JK1xGBP-zhk/00-04-01.png)