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 Posted - January 24 2013 : 7:09:50 PM
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I recently posted on MR about the best wire size for the LEDs and the motor wiring for HO rehabs and restorations. No sooner than did I write and post that, I remembered that I had an old tower in the attic which had been stripped of its hard drives.
Sure enough, there were 2 ribbon cables left inside and I immediately saw that they could easily solve my need for smaller wires. There were 2 sizes, 28 AWG and 32 AWG, in what I recovered. Those two cables alone can easily be used for at least 5 wiring jobs with plenty leftover. I wrote back on my OP (on MR) about what I found.
The issue is space- enough clearance for wires to run without hurting the ability to close the hood back down on the chassis.
The collateral issue is cost- I found that online discount sources for 28, 30 and 32 AWG wires wanted to sell about 100ft for around $20.00 or so. I really can't see using that amount for that price, and my frugal nature led me to seek those ribbon cables out for free.
The third issue is type- the ribbon cables have stranded wire, flexible for moving trucks in a diesel, and for getting thru tight spots from a front or read LED to a power lead.
Today, I got a fistful of additional ribbon cables today from a fellow teacher (computer sciences) so I am now set.
I use a black and a red permanent marker (sharpie) to color each wire where used for positive/ negative leads.
When cutting the wires, to release them from the connectors, just cut with scissors easily.
To separate the wires without losing the plastic covering, use a straightedge when cutting thru the grooves.
Remember, LEDs require very little current, well within the carrying capacity of these 28 and 32 AWG wires.
For structures, they will be easier to hide when wiring for interior lighting. However, I will still use the larger 22 gauge wire I WAS using on locos for connecting structures to layout wiring bus lines,etc, where I transition from very small to medium gauge wires where current is run for operations.
Hope this info on ribbon cables helps- I'm being frugal, not "cheap", in my "trains of thought"!!!!!
Siouxlake/ Ron
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Posted - January 25 2013 : 07:42:45 AM
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W00T! Thanks for the tip! Just solved several hundred dollars worth of future wiring issues....
Starting my Tyco and other favorites collection over again after 37 years.
My still in progress list of inventory and wantlist: tyconut.com
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Last Visit: March 14 2021
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Posted - January 25 2013 : 7:52:00 PM
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Nothing wrong with frugal. And nothing wrong with using it for light-duty wiring purposes, either. Glad you found a solution without having to spend money. Myself, I work for a Communications company, and have saved mucho on wires that the company no longer needed or wanted. Free is good, too!
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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