sorenk
Junior Member
"Come to Enon where the lights of Christmas will always glow."
Posts: 63
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Post by sorenk on Dec 15, 2023 14:51:03 GMT
Strand / Twisted or Solid
What Gauge
Do you have any advice or suggestions?
Thank you
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Post by curtis on Dec 15, 2023 15:07:43 GMT
I use 18 or 20 Stranded wire for all my accessories. I prefer the 20 gauge as it will handle almost everything and goes into the AIU a lot easier. For a really long run ( over 25 feet ) I jump up to 18 gauge if it an accessory that draws some umph, Like the cattle loader, coal loader or milk car unloader. Lights I just use 20 gauge with several tied into it.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Dec 15, 2023 15:17:48 GMT
I use 18 or 20 Stranded wire for all my accessories. I prefer the 20 gauge as it will handle almost everything and goes into the AIU a lot easier. For a really long run (over 25 feet) I jump up to 18 gauge if it an accessory that draws some umph, Like the cattle loader, coal loader or milk car unloader. Lights I just use 20 gauge with several tied into it.
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Post by josef on Dec 15, 2023 15:27:12 GMT
I also use stranded wires. 18 or 20 gauge for same reason stated by Curtis. I also tin the ends.
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Post by dennym57 on Dec 15, 2023 15:30:18 GMT
Same here, 20 gauge stranded as well.
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Post by jackson1966 on Dec 15, 2023 16:16:17 GMT
I use 22 gauge for lights, signals, and DZ1000 switch machines. If I had any accessories I'd go with 20 gauge. I've found a lot of folks tend to overkill with 16 and even 14 gauge!! YIKES.
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Post by josef on Dec 15, 2023 16:44:25 GMT
I use 22 gauge for lights, signals, and DZ1000 switch machines. If I had any accessories I'd go with 20 gauge. I've found a lot of folks tend to overkill with 16 and even 14 gauge!! YIKES. Home lighting uses 14 gauge 120Volts AC. Overkill for our 18Volts AC or some DC only accessories.
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Post by yendor on Dec 15, 2023 22:33:12 GMT
Think of your Christmas lights what are those using?
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Dec 15, 2023 22:51:40 GMT
Strand / Twisted or Solid What Gauge Do you have any advice or suggestions? Thank you Short answer: yes (to all your questions). You're welcome.  Slightly longer answer: it depends . . . on what I'm wiring, and what I have on hand. Almost none of my accessories are high-draw items, so the current draw demands are pretty modest and I can make do with just about anything I have on hand. As others have said, stranded is more flexible than solid, and thus easier to work with, but on occasion I've used four-wire telephone cable (solid wires) from a spool I've had for decades if I don't have anything better at hand.
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Post by Country Joe on Dec 16, 2023 14:16:03 GMT
I am another who uses 18 or 20 gauge stranded wire for the layout. I use 18 gauge for the track and, like Steve, I use whatever I have available for accessories.
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armyranger
Full Member
"Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death"
Posts: 137
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Post by armyranger on Dec 16, 2023 14:23:56 GMT
I use 22 gauge for lights, signals, and DZ1000 switch machines. If I had any accessories I'd go with 20 gauge. I've found a lot of folks tend to overkill with 16 and even 14 gauge!! YIKES. I always over engineer things. I to use stranded. I use 12 ga stranded for for my +/- track voltage. Soldered to the underside of the track. My longest run is over 100'. No voltage lost at all. The big FM trainmaster pulling over 25 heavy PW freight cars loves all the volts. I use 16ga stranded for all ass's. Larger wire is easier to work with. 60 watt solder gun doesn't burn them up. Tinning is the way to go. JMHO,
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