Getting AWG26 Teflon wire in Bay Area

[yazkaz]

Anyone knows where in the SF Bay can I get Teflon coated AWG26 wires in small quantities?
I need something that is thinner than the standard AWG26 which the SS offers.
Any sales locations that I should check out?

I know Radio Shack doesn't carry these fine wires.
Also Craig@Illumination Supply doesn't carry the colors that I need. I want red and black ones but he can only supply green and white ones at the moment.

Please help. If anyone knows any online store that sells them in small spools etc. (I only need a few foot-lengths for each color) that would be appreciated also.

 

[gadget_lover]

The bay area is pretty big... :)

There is Pacific Electronics in Dublin (http://dublin.patch.com/listings/pacific-electronics-communications) that may have what you need.

I'd check some of the model airplane shops to see what they have in stock. Then I'd check Fry's electronics.

If all else fails, you might start a group buy for a few reels off the web and sell 10 foot lengths to others with similar desires.

Good luck,

Daniel

 

[darkzero]

Places like Fry's & Radio Shack will not carry teflon jacketed wires since it's expensive & the average consumer will not pay the price for it. I live in a suburb of LA & I was never able to find a local place that carries it withing reasonable driving distance.

Your best bet is to check smaller speciality or surplus electronic supply stores. One of the most common off the shelf brands you can find other than in surplus stores is NTE. Although Fry's carries NTE they do not carry their teflon wire.

I used to buy the 26AWG 25ft (smallest) spools of NTE until the vendor I purchased it from did not carry consistent types. I don't like to use the low strand count & the vendor could not verify what they had in stock or would get in the future. So I ended up purchasing 100ft spools of 26AWG & 22AWG in the colors & strand count that I wanted & called it a day, or should I say years/decade cause that's how long I won't have to restock.

I assume you want it ASAP because of this post but I would recommend just finding a place online & order it, you will have it by next week & will save you trouble searching high, low & the drive.

You'll want to search for teflon or PTFE jacketed hook up wire. If you order from Mcmaster by Monday, you have it at your doorstep by Tuesday.


My mini wire caddy
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ps-and-tools&p=3033218&viewfull=1#post3033218

 

[georges80]

Well, if you are near the SF south bay, then Halted Specialties (surplus store) near Lawrence Expressway/Central Expressway junction has a bunch of silver plated teflon insulated wire of various gauges. Being a surplus store, their stock varies...

For THIN teflon wire, you can check out Anchor Electronics (near Walsh/San Tomas). You need to search and ask the folk in there, but I've found thin gauge teflon wire there that appears around 28g.

cheers,
george.

 

[richpalm]

Out here in the weeds where it's Internet or nothing, I use Ebay seller navships for teflon wire. Just search there under advanced search and search for navships. Not affiliated with him, just wanna help. Shipped fast and good quality wire.

Rich

 

[yazkaz]

@richpalm Eb "navships" currently only carries AWG32 ones.

@georges80 I searched the HSC web but couldn't find any variety beyond AWG18-20. Also South Bay is actually too far for me, I don't drive and must rely on public transport which would mean a full day of travel. Also browsed Anchor's web and found nothing.

@gadget_lover I may try this one sometime later. Is it far from the BART stations? I can only afford to walk there. Also is there a website for this shop? Any email contacts?

@darkzero Tried the McMaster-Carr site. Their thinnest PTFE jacketed wire is AWG22.
Found this instead

The AWG26 from Wayne's Shoppe is ~0.036" in OD. I need something even thinner for MagAA mods (ie. w/OFC canister) because the SS one conflicts with the retainer ring threads. Is the one from McMC good enough? BTW, for insulation purpose, is FEP just as good as PTFE?

 

[wquiles]

I have been buying my Teflon wire online from Bulkwire.com

They have wire down to 30 Gauge:
http://www.bulkwire.com/wire-cable/ptfe-high-temperature-stranded-wire.html

Will

 

[gt40]

I have bought 3 times from this ebay store kent electronics. Not affiliated with them but the price was good and they shipped fast. They have lots of colors and gauges for the silver coated teflon mil spec stuff:

http://stores.ebay.com/kentelectronics-plus

good luck

Mark

 

[gadget_lover]

@gadget_lover I may try this one sometime later. Is it far from the BART stations? I can only afford to walk there. Also is there a website for this shop? Any email contacts?

I doubt that they have a web site at Pacific Electronics. They do have a phone number and will check their stock for you. (925) 829-5960

According to Bart, it is a 1.4 mile walk, that should take right at 1/2 hour.
http://www.bart.gov/stations/dubl/d...blin+Blvd&to-from=to&station=DUBL&dir=w&js=no

While Will may be correct about Fry's, one of my learnings from being in at last 9 stores in 2 states is that every single one of them has unique stock. It's always a crap shoot.

Daniel

 

[yazkaz]

@gt40 Have checked the eb pages and couldn't find what I need.

@wquiles Thanks for the tip, the pricing is also quite attractive. However, looking at the specs, the OD for AWG26 is 0.035 - 0.043" which is even slightly thicker than the one sold at the SS. I need something with an OD of less than 0.036" so that these wires when fit into the custom MagAA canister will not cause any problems. Nevertheless I may still give it a shot and order a few small spools for my other module builds.

@gadget_lover I've checked the map for Pacific. It's quite a long walk. Maybe I should catch a cab or so while at BART. Phone number is not good for me because I'm currently out of the country. BTW is there a Fry's in the East Bay? As mentioned before, South Bay is kind of too far for me.

And folks, the one I've spotted at McMC (see above post), is that a good one for module builds? I don't drive LEDs beyond 1A for all custom LEs utilizing SS drivers.

 

[georges80]

Yazkaz, Anchor and HSC (specifically) are surplus stores - you need to visit the store and search around for what you want. Their websites are merely a 'sampling' of what they actually have in the store. Anyhow, all a moot point if they are too far from you - though your original post just stated SF bay area.... maybe be a bit more specific next time :)

cheers,
george.

 

[darkzero]

for insulation purpose, is FEP just as good as PTFE?

No idea what the differences are, I've never used FEP insulated wire but it does seem to be another Teflon product of DuPont. Most people here use the teflon insulated wire mainly cause it doesn't melt like PVC when exposed to high heat from soldering leaving a much nicer appearance. If the FEP wire withstands these temps I would say it should be fine but I really can't say for sure. Hopefully someone else might have experience with it.

Also keep in mind the strand count. Most teflon jacketed wire sold at surplus stores have a low strand count, like 7 for 26AWG, some won't even specify. The 26AWG wire I use has a strand count of 19. Some will argue that a higher strand count can hand more current (don't want to lead into that debate) but the reason I use it is for better flexibility. I mostly work on smaller stuff & using the higher strand count really makes a big difference. It also solders easier/quicker. If that's not a concern & you don't mind the stiffer wire than the low strand count will be fine. Some places will actually charge more for the higher strand count.

I know what you mean about the MagAA OFC heatsink. I built one with one of mariposaoyaka's heatsinks with a K2 TFFC using 26 AWG & the threads did come in contact with the wire's jacket.

I didn't find it to be a concern as I didn't see the threads digging that far into the insulation but if I were to do it again I would just use 28 AWG.

 

[yazkaz]

@darkzero - Nice LE build up there.
Strand count doesn't really matter, although I would naturally prefer 19-strand if available.

FYI FEP Wiki here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorinated_ethylene_propylene
Don't know if its lower melting point than PTFE would be a problem.

BTW what's the current rating of AWG28? At least 1A just like the AWG26?
Also, regarding this MagAA canister, have you tried building an LE with this?
http://ogazent.com/cscart/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29789
Interested in using this Rebel but don't know if a collimator optic would work well on this and can rest snugly on the PCB.

 

[darkzero]

@darkzero - Nice LE build up there.

BTW what's the current rating of AWG28? At least 1A just like the AWG26?

Also, regarding this MagAA canister, have you tried building an LE with this?
http://ogazent.com/cscart/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29789
Interested in using this Rebel but don't know if a collimator optic would work well on this and can rest snugly on the PCB.

Thanks. MagAA OFC K2 TFFC Mod


I'm no EE but you should be ok with 28AWG running 1A & with such short lengths of wire. I've ran 3A with 26AWG in LE builds with out any issues.

http://www.interfacebus.com/Copper_Wire_AWG_SIze.html
(Scroll all the way down towards the end for the teflon insulated section)

Hook-up Wire Current Capacity [short wire runs between components or parts contained in equipment].

Cable Derating



As for the Rebel, not sure, I've never done builds using Rebels.