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Where to buy 24 AWG wire?
Brad Lee:
for 24awg, look in the telephone/wiring section of hardware stores. I work for a phone company so I've got spools literally coming out my arse, different colors and such
I used regular .250 crimp ends- strip about 3/4", fold it over in the middle of the stripped part, place into the end and >crimp< it. Ditto this on the IPac end except strip less, since the screw terminals dont fit much more than 1/8"
If you're feeling real adventurous, contact some place that does work on phones and ask for 25-pair amphenol whips, 1 male, one female. The ends on these are similar to centronix(like a printer end). I'm going to use these for swappable panels. 50 wires should be enough for any CP, the cable is only about 1/2" max in diameter. I've got one of the whips wired to ALL of the inputs on an IPac and an OptiPac(28+20+5v+GND) and the end with the male connector routed to the area under the CP. On the cp end of things, Ive got the female end dangling(just a few inches, enough to reach the other connector) and I just use the same color code on both panels- ie the white/blue is p1 start, the blue/white is p2 start, etc.
I'll be finishing all the conenctions tomorrow and will be doing pics
MinerAl:
Look in the yellow pages under electronics supply. There is probably a place in your town that sells every kind of wire and connector you'll need.
I'd go with stranded wire, especially if you are crimping quick disconnects. It will put up with a lot more opening and closing of the CP than solid wire will.
Hoe:
RadioShack's wire selection is rubbish, don't bother with them. I tried Home Depot and when I asked for 26guage, the guy looked at my like I was a moron. Most telephone wire is solid- I'm a stranded guy. I orderd 3 spools of the 26guage stranded from www.deboelectronics.com and never been happier. I honestly do not know if 8$ per spool was a great price, but I'm a happy customer. (They deliver FAST)