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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: SavannahLion on January 24, 2011, 03:22:53 am

Title: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: SavannahLion on January 24, 2011, 03:22:53 am
Just as the title says.

My usual source for semi-bulk wiring (HFE Electronics (http://www.hfeelectronics.com/)) permanently closed (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/HFE-Electronics/117255388296057) with nothing more than a piece of paper on the storefront stating "auction, today only!" Unfortunately, I have no idea how long ago that was. :( I was so upset that day that I just went home and went into my shop without a word to my fiance. My forays into the discovery of electronics just got that much harder.

On the plus side, I found a new source a month later downtown in the heart of the city, which subsequently causes prices to be a little higher than what I would like to pay. I'd pay those prices if I needed something now or if I wasn't sure what part I wanted to buy and try out one or two of the components. But if I have an idea of what I want to get, I'd rather pay less and get more.

Anyone got a bead on a source of straight wire? Like if I was repairing a harness or something? I know of Mouser which is expensive as hell (minimum 100ft for 22awg and they only have one wire for that) and it has the option for "stranding" (I think I know what it means but how do I interpret that option?).  Digikey has 100' options starting at $30 some odd dollars for the PVC jacket and up for the PTFE and Silicon jackets. But they ask for things like jacket thickness (how do I figure that?).

When HFE was still around, I would just take the remains of my harness to them. Compare the wire I have to the wire they had until I found a match in the awg I needed. Buying things online requires I know a few more details I don't quite understand. Not to mention I don't really have a good source of wiring that don't require me to buy 1000' of wire at a time. 25' sounds more reasonable for my consumption levels. 50' might be pushing it.

Anybody got advice/ideas?
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: HaRuMaN on January 24, 2011, 10:06:35 am
This is who I buy from:  (250ft for $12 + shipping)

http://cgi.ebay.com/250ft-22-awg-300-Volt-hook-up-wire-any-color-/200406828220 (http://cgi.ebay.com/250ft-22-awg-300-Volt-hook-up-wire-any-color-/200406828220)

Although, I normally buy his 1000 ft spools.
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: SavannahLion on January 24, 2011, 06:19:36 pm
At 250 feet, that's a lot better than what I was finding. I wasn't getting any better than $25-30 for a mere 100'. How long does a spool of 1000' last you?

Is the wire pretty pliable or is it really stiff?
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: Ed_McCarron on January 24, 2011, 09:05:00 pm
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/825450/Wire/Cable/Stranded-Hook-Up-Wire/1.html (http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/825450/Wire/Cable/Stranded-Hook-Up-Wire/1.html)

6 bucks-ish for 100' rolls of 22 -- all colors of the rainbow.

2 bucks-ish for 25' rolls
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: SavannahLion on January 24, 2011, 09:35:33 pm
YAY!  :notworthy: :applaud: :notworthy:

(That's to the both of you btw)

But, I'll ask this again. Is it pretty stiff wiring, as in is the jacket pretty hard?
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: HaRuMaN on January 25, 2011, 08:18:39 am
At 250 feet, that's a lot better than what I was finding. I wasn't getting any better than $25-30 for a mere 100'. How long does a spool of 1000' last you?

Is the wire pretty pliable or is it really stiff?

The stuff I get is pretty pliable, I use it for all my controller hacks.  I go through 1000' in about 6 months, since I do a lot of controller hacks.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Source for semi-bulk wiring and purchasing options???
Post by: Ed_McCarron on January 25, 2011, 04:56:18 pm
YAY!  :notworthy: :applaud: :notworthy:

(That's to the both of you btw)

But, I'll ask this again. Is it pretty stiff wiring, as in is the jacket pretty hard?

The all electronics stuff is pretty pliable.  I wired a few CP's with it.  It's not silicone, but it isn't THHN, either.