Added another update to my OP. Thanks for helping me out @Velvet!

I updated my OP with UPDATE #2 showing you this.

I was looking at just doing the upside down version but the LEDs would not align correctly - its odd.

Wouldn't connecting the RST pin to a ESP32 GPIO pin make it loop reset over and over again? Is it not LOW on any GPIO pin until you turn it on?

Thanks for clearing that up. Can you tell me what type of transformer they are using in the schematic on that page? The T1 3A version? eleccircuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/…

@Justme there are 2 test points (out_neg1 and in_neg1) that I will solder my wires to and then extend them to the other pins (2 & 4) that are vertical away from the board. Pins 1 and 3 are being soldered to pin headers on the PCB itself (to also help to keep it vertical).

@dandavis Even though I'm using the 5v to 12v XL6009 that has a current limit of 4 amps and 10W? I would think that would be enough to drive the LEDs just fine as before I made a custom PCB i ran them from a normal wall wort that was 3a.