Where can I find 18-20 gauge wie, suitable for track leads in quantity at a decent price? I know I can buy that gauge at Radio Shack and in hobby shops, but it seems rather expensive that way. The local Lowe's doesn't have it. Home Depot does, but for some reason, even in bulk, the small wire is twice as expensive as thicker wire.
Gene
Digikey sells lots of wire.
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=88307&Row=496504&Site=US
$19 for 100 feet isn't bad.
Mouser has wire too, but they're more expensive:
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=3053_BK005virtualkey60200000virtualkey602-3053-100-02
$26 for 100 feet
Whatever you do, don't bother with chain stores. Radio Slack sucks for anything but R/C cars and phones, and HD and Lowe's only cater to contractors and homeowners (which is why the 20 AWG wire there is so expensive; there's no demand for it).
Thanks. I see one must register to order from Digikey.
Gene
McMaster-Carr is another online source of all kinds of stuff. I buy nuts and bolts from them.
I had to go to my LHS this morning and I checked prices. I found Atlas 20 gauge wire for $6.95 for 50 feet, or 14 cents a foot. Bought it.
Gene
If we are talking about 2 foot or shorter risers from a power bus to the track, #24 wire is fine for DCC as long as you do not bury it in foam scenery. Multiple risers along with the conductance of the rails means no one riser is carrying all the current. Best of all, #24 is dirt cheap or often free if salvaged from old parallel printer cables.
You can also check with your local electrical supply house. They handle small gauge wire for items like doorbells and home security systems. Something else they often have are "suitcase" connectors. These are mechanical connectors that provide wire junctions without stripping or solder. They are designed to connect heavy buss wire to lighter wire connections. You still have to solder the riser wire to the rail, but that's generally easier than all the futzing around under the benchwork.
Electrical supply around here will sell at 500 feet or mroe. I am going to use the suircase connectors.
Gene
Gene;
Just for your own info, you can go to your local electrical supply house and buy whatever you like there-your money is as green as mine. You will also get a little better deal through a supply house. I use a lot of 18-stranded as I like it. You can also get smaller gauge there, especially in light of the home automation thing that is a growing segment of that business.
Rich
Rich,
I'd like to agree with you. But that's what I was told - 500 feet or more. And you know how many Virginians it takes to change a lightbulb, right? None. Change? In Virginia? Lord, I went to the oldest university in the country and we still call it a college!
Gene
Gene- At the Virginia university I attended, we used to say, "Welcome to xxxxx, one hundred years of tradition unmarred by progress."- MS
Gene: I get my wire in small spools from NAPA automotive store. Good quality, without having to buy a lot. 18 ga "zip cord" and "bell" wire from most hardware stores. My telephone service guy gave me a large coil of 4 conductor 4 color wire when we wired the house.
Bo
Mike, was that The University?
Gene
try here: http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/Hook_Up_100.html
Dear Friends,
Here in Altoona, PA we have an automotive supply house, named "Fender Mender" that supplies primarily to the auto and auto enthusiast industries. They have lots of neat tools, auto paints, accessories, air brush accessories, etc. There must be similar businesses in other areas. Ours is privately owned and do not have a website that I could find. However, I would suggest you try to find a place like that which would have all kinds of wires, etc.
Another thought would be an installer of stereo systems in automobiles, esp for you lads who are in the boonies.
I really liked Jim's ideas about using recycled cables. Mother of invention type stuff, don't you think?
Best Wishes,
Jack
Gene;
A five-hundred foot roll of #18 THHN stranded isn't exactly the world debt; even at todays vaunted rates. I think you will find that, foot for foot, you will pay less that way-and have it on hand for other projects. #18 is fairly substantial for this application; especially stranded; and its uses can be varied and sundry. I use it for all of my pigtails to track, turnouts, etc. from any buss I run, and will use it for my lighting loads also. It is your money, but if it were me, I know what I would do.
RIch
You might give these guys a try.http://www.mcmaster.com/. Mcmaster-Carr, I have bought form then quite a few times, their prices are reasonable. They are also a good source for screws, shrink wrap, washers, etc. Even if you don't buy from them their website is worth a look.
Tom
I just checked McMaster-carr V. Electrical Wholesalers in Ct; their prices are much higher than EW for wire. I am guessing that most local supply houses would follow suit with EW. Check your local house-and you won't have to worry about shipping charges.
Rich
Gene, I had another thought about the wire. I used to fly electric R/C planes, and installation/wiring in these small planes requires extremely flexible wire, capable of high current (20 amps or more @12 volts), and high heat. It comes in red and black, and a bit pricey, but ideal for flexible drops and jumpers. The best wire is made by Graupner-Germany. Hobby-Lobby has the best selection.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com
Bo
Bo;
Is that that silver-alloy stuff? I say that because silver has the highest transconductance rate of any element, 96 I believe.
Rich
Rich,
Thanks for the comparison between McMaster Carr and Electrical Wholesalers I am going to check them out..
Tom
Rich:
No, it is copper, but the 1.5mm has 362 strands. (2.5mm has 1,000 strands.)The wire is very fine, with an extremely flexible jacket, in fact we call it "spaghetti" wire. I made some test leads for my DVM, great stuff. I plan to use it on my layout for buss wires.
Bo