for example, I want to replace the wires on a 2671w tender … it is solid not stranded, but I don’t know the gauge.
Also, the 151 smepahore, uses stranded, but again, does anyone know the gauge wire?
It seems that all the cars/engine/accessories use solid or stranded, but not sure of the gauge of the wire… if anyone knows, please let me know.
I stopped at radio schack, but the person didn’t know how to judge the gauge of the wire on the parts that I brought to the store.
thanks
ron
AWG Diameter, Ampacity,
inches amperes
0000 .4600
000 .4096
00 .3648
0 .3249
1 .2893
2 .2576
3 .2294
4 .2043
5 .1819
6 .1620
7 .1443
8 .1285
9 .1144
10 .1019 30
11 .09074
12 .08081 20
13 .07196
14 .06408 15
15 .05707
16 .05082 10
17 .04526
18 .04030 7
19 .03589
20 .03196 5
21 .02846
22 .02535
23 .02257
24 .02010
25 .01790
26 .01594
27 .01420
28 .01264
29 .01126
30 .01003
31 .008928
32 .007950
33 .007080
34 .006305
35 .005615
36 .005000
A typical 2671W whistling tender (or any other whistling tender) will have 22 guage stranded wire running between the pickup rollers and the insides. The internal wiring will usually be 22 or 24 gauge solid wire with pushback insulation.
Most parts dealers carry “superflex” wire in 22 and/or 24 gauge for wiring pickups. As far as I know, the 22 guage comes in black only. The 24 gauge comes in red or black.
In addition, some parts dealers have “e-unit” wire, which is 24 gauge in red, blue, yellow, or green.
I don’t know the difference between 24 gauge red "superflex, and 24 gauge red “e-unit” wire.
If someone does, please share the information.
In general, these wires are made with a lot of very small strands of wire (something like 32 strands), and a very flexible jacket. Last I looked, the stuff at Radio shack had a relatively small number of larger strands of wire (something like 8 strands), and had a relatively stiff insulation, and really wasn’t very good for pickup wiring.
I would recommend purchasing a small quantity of the suplerflex wire from your favorite parts dealer.
When I only need a small amount of wire for pickups, I have bought clip leads at Radio Shack and cut off the clips. Depending on which clip leads you buy, the wire size will vary. The smallest size wire works very well for pickups.
Bruce Baker