What Is Your Opinion On Tinned-Copper Silicon Wire?

[The Mighty Volt]

I first came across this stuff coming out of the ends of my Watts-Up.

It was such an absolute joy to work with, compared to the rigid, harsh rubbish coming out of my CAMMY CC batteries

Does anyone else use this stuff and what is their opinion on it? Is it reliable and hard-wearing, is there a trade-off between malleability and reliability?

What gauge should be used with 36v 20Ah systems and the like.

Where do you source it?

Thanks.

 

[TMaster]

Im using the tiny small stranded 12AWG silcone covered wire on my entire setup. It works excellent for the handle bar area when you steer the bike. I have the Turnigy Watt analyzer mounted on the handle bars. 25 amp controller, but I've seen peaks of 36 amps, I am running 63v nominal.

How many peak amps will you be pulling? Thats pretty much the main thing when it comes to the size of wire. The resistance will be less also with a larger gauge. I would just go with 12AWG if you plan on upgrading to 48V later on.

14AWG - 32amps cont.
12AWG - 41amps cont.

 

[The Mighty Volt]

The wire that comes with my Lifepo4 duct-tape is simply too bloody hard to work with, harsh, stiff, stuff.

I like this stuff, its on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-AWG-Marine-Tinned-Primary-Wire-Red-50-FT_W0QQitemZ380191596397QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBoat_Parts_Accessories_Gear?hash=item58852f5f6d

The seller is selling this stuff in red and black, it is 12 AWG which I have heard is superior to 14 AWG thanks to its larger diameter.

I was thinking of buying just one reel of black and then wrapping the "positive" wire in red insulating tape, a cheap alternative.

If anyone has a preferred source or brand for this then I would love to hear of it! Thanks!!

 

[biohazardman]

The link says PVC coated wire nothing about silicone there. I love the silicone wire as it is very flexible and easy to werq with. Spoiled now so it's all I use as well as replacing the PVC coated stuff with it. Teflon coated is the best for motor the rewires also.

 

[Lapwing]

Flexibility is a function of strand size and lay, more than insulation. Lots of fine tinned strands in a tow = flexible. The insulation is a smaller part of it.

Silicon insulated wire is great stuff for test leads, or where you need repeatable flexing. Most grades of silicon insulation are soft and very easily damaged with sharp stuff. The other reason I use it is heat, like on furnace or diesel engine wiring, and thermocouples. Downside is the silicon insulation is usually thicker than other types and heavier.

Most all silicone insulated wire is tinned and very fine stranded which is very good. IMHO marine grade wire is as good and much more damage resistant. However, if you need flexible below freezing then silicone is the better option.

Google ANCOR brand marine wire (West Marine stocks it in the US). Very good flexibility. I believe it's all in the plasticizers.

 

[The Mighty Volt]

Flexibility is a function of strand size and lay, more than insulation. Lots of fine tinned strands in a tow = flexible. The insulation is a smaller part of it.

Silicon insulated wire is great stuff for test leads, or where you need repeatable flexing. Most grades of silicon insulation are soft and very easily damaged with sharp stuff. The other reason I use it is heat, like on furnace or diesel engine wiring, and thermocouples. Downside is the silicon insulation is usually thicker than other types and heavier.

Most all silicone insulated wire is tinned and very fine stranded which is very good. IMHO marine grade wire is as good and much more damage resistant. However, if you need flexible below freezing then silicone is the better option.

Google ANCOR brand marine wire (West Marine stocks it in the US). Very good flexibility. I believe it's all in the plasticizers.

Cheers, I will check that out.

 

[nicobie]

I've been using 10g for most of my ebike wiring and these guys have a good price on a great product.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8126

 

[TMaster]

You'll find all the fine stranded wire with the silicon coating at RC hobby places here's a few.

http://www.onlybatterypacks.com/items.asp?db=39 22AWG to 12AWG
http://hobbycity.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9672 20 to 10AWG if you search
http://www.rcdude.com/servlet/the-Connectors-%26-Cables-cln-Wire/Categories

 

[The Mighty Volt]

Thats good advice, thanks, as ever.

I cannot recommend enuff that everyone makes high quality flexible wire the mainstay of their setup. There is nothing worse than wrestling with cheaper alternatives, especially in cold weather.