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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Mike A on October 11, 2017, 06:57:42 am

Title: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Mike A on October 11, 2017, 06:57:42 am: I am not sure how useful this topic is, but here it is anyway.

I had to buy a bunch of wire for power transmission (5v) at several points on 2 large PCBs.

Home depot didn't have 18 gauge stranded wire in spools on the shelf.
What I did find was 18 gauge lamp cord on a spool. It comes 18-2 like speaker wire so you have to split the two wires.
It was 42.98 with tax for 250 ft. It is actually 500 ft when you split the wires. That is about 9 cents a foot. Not bad.
The wire seems more flexible than the wire I normally buy. I think it is the insulation. It is thicker, but squishier.
It fit just fine in the pins for my Amp Mate N Lock connectors, and it was really easy to bundle the cables because of the flexibility.
I will include some pics tonight.

I guess what I want to know is if anyone can see a problem with my choice of wire. I haven't been doing this long, and I don't come
from a technical background.

Also, what do other people use?
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Nephasth on October 11, 2017, 09:03:29 am: Stranded. 22 gauge. Black. Think I pay about $40 shipped to my door for 1000'.

...good thing about using speaker wire for power is, you can just twist the wires together and wrap em in tape!
/sarcasm

:whap
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Mike A on October 11, 2017, 09:06:20 am: Is 22 gauge sufficient for power transmission?
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Nephasth on October 11, 2017, 09:07:59 am: You're killing me smalls... "power transmission"...
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Nephasth on October 11, 2017, 09:11:31 am: The size of wire you need is determined by the size of the load of the circuit and other factors. But for arcade circuit board repair, 22 gauge should be fine. 18 gauge seems too big for that type of work.
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Nephasth on October 11, 2017, 09:14:04 am: And the reason why speaker wire is more flexible than standard wire... finer strands and more of them.
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Mike A on October 11, 2017, 09:20:15 am: Thanks. I was just concerned because the 5v pin on my pole position PCB edge connector is fried. That is a common problem with them.
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: jennifer on October 11, 2017, 03:03:13 pm: Its a bit deeper than random wire.... The short answer is (IMO) automotive grade, since it handles heat better than cheap vinyl, and is abrasion resistant.
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: paigeoliver on October 12, 2017, 03:29:19 pm: I don't think I ever actually bought any wires aside from brand new Jamma harnesses. I have been using wire salvaged from trashed/converted/restored games since day one in the hobby.
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Titchgamer on October 12, 2017, 04:31:41 pm: I tend to use automotive wire.

I have loads of the stuff knocking about in different sizes.

Though we measure cable in mm2 over here not gauge so couldn’t tell you what sizes they would be lol
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: Slippyblade on October 12, 2017, 06:01:59 pm: I've fallen in love with silicone sheathed wire. The stuff doesn't melt when soldering!
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: drventure on October 12, 2017, 08:48:19 pm: I think it was knievel that used to use "bell wire". Solid core copper wiring if I recall.

He had several cabinets where in the inside was sprayed black, and he used bright blue bell wire tied down all nice and tidy.

Truly some awesome cab pron if ever there was such a thing :)
Title: Re: What kind of wire do you use?
Post by: tommyinajar on October 16, 2017, 02:54:31 pm: Where is the best (cheapest) place to buy 22 awg these days?