Hi Randy,
Your subs are much better quality than mine. Mine are so cheap (probably why they use an only LED to boost the data signal)
My subs are nowhere near waterproof. After light rain I get strange colours showing in random strings (and the sub lights up). I got strings 1-11 working fine. 12 was all wrong colours (sub light up). And strings 13-20 were ON but unresponsive to any colour changes (data just not getting through)
One day I measured the V+ at the bottom of one of the wrong colour strings (I pushed a pin up the unsealed end of the V+ & GND wires and attached my multimeter). I found it was only around 3V where the other good strings were 4.5V. Moisture or condensation may have been dragging the voltage down or the USB stick may have failed somehow. Then miraculously a few hours later all the strings were good again.
Sorry, I’m not much help to you at the moment. I’m just sharing my similar experience hoping we stumble across an answer.
When I finally get my ESP32, I’ll see what I can do to make WLED control the curtain.
Regards, Leigh