what size of wire do i need to wire a engine
Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 04, 2013, 01:12:43 AM
what size of wire do i need to wire a engine
from the motor to the wheels? I like stranded 22ga. phil
like for leds and the form the motor
Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 04, 2013, 11:26:10 AM
like for leds and the for the motor
Most HO locos come with #30 wire. If you are doing DCC, you can get the wire with DCC colors. Some #30 wire is very flexible. Many times a supplier will tell you how many strands in a wire. More stands will be a more flexible wire. Rubber covered will be more flexible than plastic covered.
I use #30 in DCC locos and the same size will be just fine for DC. My Bachmann has what looks like #30. I have seen #29 specified at times. Very little difference.
I have used #44 magnet wire from an old coil for LED's when I had to snake the wire through a tight spot or up inside the cab walls.
Rich
where can i get #30 wire at ?
I have to assume you do not have a LHS nearby.
Litchfield Station, a very good DCC supplier is one place I buy from with decent shipping charge.
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=171
You can rip apart an old PC mouse and get small wire that is flexible.
Rich
there no hobby shop with in 100 miles that i know of
Quote from: union pacific 844 on January 04, 2013, 01:33:23 PM
there no hobby shop with in 100 miles that i know of
Do not put your address in this thread.
PM me your snail mail address. I will send you #30 colored DCC wire I have as I cannot do DCC work anymore. Might cost two stamps that I can handle.
Rich
844-
If you have any of the old multi-colored wire that Atlas used to pack with their
turnouts (maybe they still do???), it will work fine. Also, individual wires from
the old-style computer cables will work just fine for loco lights.
-- D
nope
Go to an electronics supply house and buy what you want. If you cannot find said house, go on line and buy that way. Be careful with small wire size.
Rich C.
If you have no experience with this, use the below tool.
http://www.micromark.com/hard-to-find-wire-stripper-awg-20-30,6544.html
I have one. I have one for #10 to #22, also.
I can use a razor blade or Xacto knife but a knick on a wire can result in the strands breaking when the wire is flexed.
I have been using wire for electronics circuits for many years and the correct tool is usually the best way to do this.
Rich
You should never use a razor blade to cut small wire; I don't care how good you are, because eventually, you will nick a conductor(s) and not realize you did that until murphy rears his head... Use the proper tool; especially on small gauge wire. I have been an electrician for forty-odd years, and do speak from (sometimes bitter) experience. And small gauge wire can be called a lot of stuff, but pernicious will do. Even nicking large-sized conductors can cause problems. Why beg for trouble?
As Rick said, go to Micromark if you like, or you can pick up a set of Ideal or Klein strippers at any electrican supply house. or even home improvement stores.
Rich C.
radio shack sells smaller wire sizes suitable for rewiring locomotives.
The #30 wire is in the mail. Get the stripper for this wire. It will pay off. Some old timers like to tell you to use your teeth, believe it or not.. You need good tools check Micro Mark. I have bought from them.
rich
The #30 wire looks quite small but it is the size in HO scale locos. I have some #30 wire wrap wire but it is solid wire with a very thin tough coating. I doubt it is used much anymore. It requires a special stripper. !970's, 1980's technology.
The colors are pretty much standard for DCC and I would recommend you try to stick with it.
Tan and striped are not included as those two colors are used with a couple different decoder companies.
The colored shrink matches the wires. A hair dryer with a funnel attachment works well for shrinking the stuff. I have a professional heat gun I picked up some years ago. Even a clean soldering iron tip works if you are careful.
Rich
Stripping small wires i use a bic lighter, heat the end and pull off, if its to much just snip off the extra. then can be used for heat shrink on your connections as well.
Yes, 30 gauge wire is pretty tiny but it's adequate for the short connections inside of a locomotive. Just don't use it anywhere else.
I'm aware that some people use it for track feeders but I think they are a poor choice for that application. I don't hesitate to use 28
or 30 ga wire inside of locos or buildings but I always use at least 24 ga for feeders.
-- D
Yeah, Rich-but that might be one reason why the old timers wear dentures... Kind of humourous when one thinks about it.
Rich C.