Where To Buy Good Quality Wire?

arzeo

Member
I was creating my own light build, and I was wondering what type of wire you guys use. Most of the good quality wire seems pretty expensive on amazon. I am looking for 18 gauge wire. I found this wire https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Marine-Grade-Primary-Battery/dp/B000NUYGIO/ref=sr_1_25?crid=2YREV3UU0BJRD&dchild=1&keywords=18+gauge+wire&qid=1584683147&sprefix=18+guage+wire,aps,166&sr=8-25
I could get 100 ft of black cable for only $14 and it seems to have very good ratings. I really want to have red and black wire for proper wiring, but the red wire they sell is more expensive. Buying both red and black seems a little out of my budget. I guess it would be ok to use only black wire, but if you guys have any other good suggestions, I would like to hear them.
 

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
I was creating my own light build, and I was wondering what type of wire you guys use. Most of the good quality wire seems pretty expensive on amazon. I am looking for 18 gauge wire. I found this wire https://www.amazon.com/Ancor-Marine-Grade-Primary-Battery/dp/B000NUYGIO/ref=sr_1_25?crid=2YREV3UU0BJRD&dchild=1&keywords=18+gauge+wire&qid=1584683147&sprefix=18+guage+wire,aps,166&sr=8-25
I could get 100 ft of black cable for only $14 and it seems to have very good ratings. I really want to have red and black wire for proper wiring, but the red wire they sell is more expensive. Buying both red and black seems a little out of my budget. I guess it would be ok to use only black wire, but if you guys have any other good suggestions, I would like to hear them.
Just use black and grab yourself a white paint marker. At the connection sites where you're stripping the wire for wagos, solder pads, whatever, just cover a few inches in white paint to differentiate it from the straight black.
 

arzeo

Member
Yeah, it honestly wouldn't be too big of a problem. I would definitely be able to differentiate positive from negative, but I wish there was like a 50ft red/ 50ft black combination which was around the same price. I don't really want to use the CCA wire which is what is mostly sold on amazon. Just trying to see what everyone else uses.
 

arzeo

Member
Yeah, I was looking at home depot's website and couldn't find any listing for 18 gauge wire which is sold in store. Will be using bridgelux eb gen 2 strips, and as far as I've seen, most people use stranded and are fine. For the price, 100ft of wire for $14 just seems like my best deal. It will just annoy me to have it not wired properly though.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Another good option for switching DC power is solid state relays.

<edit: wrong thread>
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
He Ren, I know you're the electrician. But wouldn't solid core be better for him with an led build and wagos? I appreciate your knowledge.
I would prefer solid core, that's kinda why I brought that up lol. One can always tin the ends of the stranded wire like is done factory on the leads of meanwell drivers. I know that it would sure be easier to solder to COB's if solid core and chip holders that have the press in sockets require solid core and a specific gauge... All things to consider.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Yeah, I was looking at home depot's website and couldn't find any listing for 18 gauge wire which is sold in store. Will be using bridgelux eb gen 2 strips, and as far as I've seen, most people use stranded and are fine. For the price, 100ft of wire for $14 just seems like my best deal. It will just annoy me to have it not wired properly though.
If stuck with all black insulation one can heat shrink some red tube on the ends of the positive leads.
 
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