Excuse my wide eyed noob moment at receiving seven detailed replies to what I thought was a fairly simple question...
...now that’s done...
It is unlikely the LEDs will ever all be full white due to the Arduino program in fact as for this project I only work with primary colours the maximum current would only ever be one third (ie all on at either R, G or B).
They are these exact LEDs;
I don’t know if they have the “per LED” capacitors, it doesn’t say, but there is a component of some sort on the strips other than the led itself. Does anyone know what it is?
I am still quite new and yes by VCC I meant +5v...if someone would like to explain the difference, please remember to use small words :-).
I think these lights are always in parallel, yes? Even though one might initially think a long strip would be in series? I wire them into a 6 x 6 grid using six strips. I know I could wire the voltage from one side only, but I find it easier and neater to just connect the ends so I have a “snake” of lights making up the grid.
I’ve had no problems without capacitor thus far and my power packs of choice have happily driven 144 of the same LEDs (well, same individual LED but the 60 per metre ones instead of the 30s) in a 12x12 matrix. However that has been mostly for me tinkering with them and as it now appears I may have customers for them I want to ensure everything is as robust as possible. Yes, that means I am adding a resistor (470 ohm is recommended I believe?) to the data line too.
Thanks for all your help.