Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SurreyNick · 18th Dec 2014, 11:19 pm

I shall be wiring up the components for my micro guitar amp and am considering using stranded hook-up wire because its additional flexibility should avoid stress breaks with all the shaking about when the amp is hanging from a belt loop.

I've only used solid core wire to date and was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable wire gauge and type (Litz etc)? It's only got a 1/4 watt output and the whole thing (speaker, battery and all) is small enough to fit in a tobacco tin. Wire will need to be pretty thin and flexible, but easily soldered.

Thanks

Nick

paulsherwin · 18th Dec 2014, 11:30 pm

I have never actually bought any hookup wire. For stranded stuff I use wire scavenged from old computer PSUs, which comes in several gauges and colours. For thin solid stuff I use wire from telephone extension cable, and for thick solid stuff I use wire from offcuts of ring main cable.

fetteler · 18th Dec 2014, 11:43 pm

Snap!! So do I

Steve.

SurreyNick · 18th Dec 2014, 11:44 pm

Sounds very sensible, but surprisingly enough I don't have anything I can scavenge from!
Nick

Herald1360 · 19th Dec 2014, 12:32 am

For "thin" hookup wire look for 7/0.2mm PVC insulated wire. It's good for an amp or so and is pretty flexible. If you come across old British stuff, then it's 7/0.0076in and in American parlance, 24AWG or 7/32.

How much do you need? I can round up a few metres for cost of postage if you can't scrounge any locally.

Nuvistor · 19th Dec 2014, 1:40 am

Maplins have 10 Metres of 7/0.2 mm PVC, 1.4 amps at 1000v for £2.69

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-equ...FaHHtAodiXsA5g

Nickthedentist · 19th Dec 2014, 7:33 pm

Yes, 7/0.2mm is ideal for low-current applications and is nice and flexible yet robust enough to strip easily too.

Radio Wrangler · 19th Dec 2014, 8:14 pm

Go to a few amateur radio rallies and see what's available. I've got reels of useful stuff. I also strip multicore cable for useful coloured wires.

David

Nickthedentist · 19th Dec 2014, 8:29 pm

Note that "pulled" wires can vary tremendously in user-friendliness. Some seems to be designed for crimp/IDC termination, and has insulation that melts as soon as you try to tin the conductors, and conductors that don't take solder very well.

SurreyNick · 20th Dec 2014, 1:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

For "thin" hookup wire look for 7/0.2mm PVC insulated wire. How much do you need? I can round up a few metres for cost of postage if you can't scrounge any locally.

Thank you Chris. I found some 7/0.2mm cheap on eBay so nabbed it rather than trouble you, but I'm grateful for your offer and your advice and that of others too

Nick

18th Dec 2014, 11:19 pm	#1
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? I shall be wiring up the components for my micro guitar amp and am considering using stranded hook-up wire because its additional flexibility should avoid stress breaks with all the shaking about when the amp is hanging from a belt loop. I've only used solid core wire to date and was wondering if anyone could recommend a suitable wire gauge and type (Litz etc)? It's only got a 1/4 watt output and the whole thing (speaker, battery and all) is small enough to fit in a tobacco tin. Wire will need to be pretty thin and flexible, but easily soldered. Thanks Nick

18th Dec 2014, 11:30 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,934	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? I have never actually bought any hookup wire. For stranded stuff I use wire scavenged from old computer PSUs, which comes in several gauges and colours. For thin solid stuff I use wire from telephone extension cable, and for thick solid stuff I use wire from offcuts of ring main cable.

18th Dec 2014, 11:43 pm	#3
fetteler Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK. Posts: 1,474	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Snap!! So do I Steve. __________________ Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking...

18th Dec 2014, 11:44 pm	#4
SurreyNick Heptode Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Wigton, Cumbria, UK. Posts: 728	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Sounds very sensible, but surprisingly enough I don't have anything I can scavenge from! Nick

19th Dec 2014, 12:32 am	#5
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? For "thin" hookup wire look for 7/0.2mm PVC insulated wire. It's good for an amp or so and is pretty flexible. If you come across old British stuff, then it's 7/0.0076in and in American parlance, 24AWG or 7/32. How much do you need? I can round up a few metres for cost of postage if you can't scrounge any locally. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

19th Dec 2014, 1:40 am	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,431	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Maplins have 10 Metres of 7/0.2 mm PVC, 1.4 amps at 1000v for £2.69 http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-equ...FaHHtAodiXsA5g

19th Dec 2014, 7:33 pm	#7
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Yes, 7/0.2mm is ideal for low-current applications and is nice and flexible yet robust enough to strip easily too.

19th Dec 2014, 8:14 pm	#8
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,858	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Go to a few amateur radio rallies and see what's available. I've got reels of useful stuff. I also strip multicore cable for useful coloured wires. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

19th Dec 2014, 8:29 pm	#9
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,841	Re: Recommended wire gauge for hook-up? Note that "pulled" wires can vary tremendously in user-friendliness. Some seems to be designed for crimp/IDC termination, and has insulation that melts as soon as you try to tin the conductors, and conductors that don't take solder very well.