Hey this looks like it could work as some pretty cheap wire to use for remote switches. Seller said it is solid core 22 gauge with each wire in its own shielding and color.
What do you think?
Kev.
I have used 24 gauge telephone wire ( Red, Green, Black, Yellow )( 24 gauge ) for my 022 switches , and it works fine. Never had any problems. And yes - its very affordable - I have bought 100 ft rolls for 10 bucks at Lowes, I’m into my second roll now. use it for switches, uncouple- remote control tracks and signals.
Steve
By the time you pay the shipping, it’s not such a bargain. You can buy telephone cable at your local Lowes or Home Depot for less money and it’ll work just as well.
Yeah I think you could be right. I did not know you could use something as small as phone wire.
I liked it because it is 22 gauge x 250’ and for me $16.99 shipping is really… humm lets see.
17 miles one way to Menards x 2= 34 miles. Truck that gets 12.5 mph 34 miles divided by 12.5 mpg = 2.72 gallons of fuel at $3.65 per gallon cost = $9.92 to drive, take that from $16.99 shipping charge and adjusted shipping would be $7.07 and I can stay home and split wood or something else.
Guess it has a lot to do with where you live.
Have a good one,
Kev.
I have used lots of telephone wire for switches, but for long wire runs, 15 feet or more, I double it up.
Switches actually don’t draw as much power as you might imagine, and it’s only momentary as well. I run my 022 switches on 16 volts, and they snap very smartly on a run of 30 feet of #24 telephone cable.
I use the old twin coil switch machines, they need a good dose of power to get that needed snap.
What model of switch are you talking about?
They were sold by KMT & NJ international. I understand the overseas factory that made them burnt to to ground. So what folks have now is all there will be for the time being. 2 railers used them, GG switches came without switch motors so thats where they were used the most. These are not switches, just twin coil snap type switch machines.
I suspect those particular snap switch machines aren’t a concern to 99.9% of the folks here. [(-D] I’m talking about your typical 022 switch, or perhaps the O27 switches.
You ask a question, I gave you an answer.
Well, actually KRM asked the question and I’m certain he doesn’t have those oddball parts on his layout, he’s talking about O27 switches. [;)]
Well I went ahead and ordered the wire up anyway, I will let you know how it looks and works.
Tks,
Kev
My reply was for gunrunnerjohn…The wire works fine and even if you double up it only has to be on the power wire…And if your switches are track powered it won’t matter at all.
Even without track power you don’t need it doubled up. The switches don’t take that much power. If you’re going to run a couple hundred feet to them, I’d change my answer. [;)]
The same coil current flows through both sides of the circuit. Aside from the question of what size wire and whether doubled, the same wire resistance on either side of the circuit will cause the coil to see the same voltage drop.
This seller only charges $2.00 more shipping for each additional roll - it turns in to a bargain pretty quickly if you need two or more or split an order with a friend.
Thermostat wire works well, too. Solid copper, I think 20 or 22 gauge. Comes with three or more conductors–all different colors.
I went to Menards and looked at other wires and it is a hard push to beat this if you only want 3 wire cable. I know you can double small stuff but that doubles the cost as well. You can get more wires in a cable. But this just looked like a fair deal to replace Lionel 3 wire switch wire to me. It will arrive today and I will see if it was a good deal or not. I am doing 9 remote switch on a 12’ x 16’ table so i will use a lot.
[?]
Tks,
Kevin
I think the thermostat wire is actually 18 guage but I am wrong a lot. But my question is do you use the same thermostat wire for fixed voltage if you are running at 16 volts or due you need a 14 guage wire?
Thanks Harold