What gauge wiring do you recommend for wire leads/lights on N scale locomotive decoders? I was putting in some decoders on my Atlas Dash 8-40CW's that need some wire extensions for the ditch lights and my go to "small guage" wire of telephone cord wires stripped out was massive. From looking it up, this should be 22 or 24 gauge stranded wire.
I see 30 gauge wire fairly readily available, but did find 36 gauge as well. Any thoughts on what's reasonable? I'm looking more for the lights/accessories than the motor, so current rating is probably less of a concern.
https://www.solaris-shop.com/content/American%20Wire%20Gauge%20Conductor%20Size%20Table.pdf
You can ignore all the columns except AWG and Max Current. Sometimes I run heavier wires than needed due to flex in use or other physical stresses.
Amazing what you can find on the web.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal. Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
Ultra-flexible 28AWG wire
RR Baron
I use 30ga multi strand wire and 34ga magnet (single strand) wire from TCS for powering the lights in my HO locomotives. The magnet wire is amazingly strong.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Supplies/Wire/Wire.htm
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I just picked up a whole assortment of colors of wire from ESU. It appears to be the same stuff they use on their decoder wiring. It's 36 ga and they rate it for 2 amps.
Ed