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small guage wire for decoder install

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  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: St. Paul, MN
  • 82 posts
small guage wire for decoder install
Posted by oarb00 on Monday, February 16, 2015 12:30 PM

I have an Life Like N scale GP18 from the 1995 run. I hard wired a Digitrax decoder into the unit and it programs and runs fine. Problem is I cannot get the shell back on due to all the wire running every place, and the shrink tubing I used being too large. I need to completely re-wire the unit and maybe use kapton tape on the splices/cut the weights down a bit more. Does anyone know of a supplier who might sell a complete loco wiring kit with short lenghts of all the proper colors of wire needed? I'm having trouble finding any small guage wire for this project.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions

 

 

Modeling the CNW and BN in N scale in the late '70s midwest

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Monday, February 16, 2015 12:56 PM

Digitrax has 30AWG wires. ModelTrain Stuff has it. Circuitron has 3/64 heatshrink tubing also from ModelTrain Stuff.   Joe

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Digitrax-DECODERWIRE-30AWG-Decoder-Wire-p/dig-decoderwire.htm

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: St. Paul, MN
  • 82 posts
Posted by oarb00 on Monday, February 16, 2015 1:04 PM
Thanks so much for the quick reply, I'll get it ordered today.
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Monday, February 16, 2015 2:53 PM

Litchfield Station has what you need. Look at the wire listing on the menu on the left side of the home page. 

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, February 16, 2015 5:09 PM

TCS sells 30, 32 and 36 ga. multi strand wire in 10' and 20' lengths. The 30 ga. comes in 14 colours and the 32 ga. in 10 colours. The 36 ga. is available in black and white only.

Ten feet is obviously way more wire than you will need for one project, but once you get into decoder installations it won't take that long to go through it.

http://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!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 11:47 AM

If you don't want to wait on wire, then find and old mouse -- a wired computer mouse, not the four-legged kind. Cut the cable "tail" off and strip the wire out of it. Usually four different colors, very fine and flexible.

Other sources of wire: http://www.ngineering.com/accessories.htm

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/accessories/thin-cables-cable-harness/

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 3:52 PM

If you are looking for some real small wire try using the ESU wire. It is very small and perty flexable too. Just google ESU, find a dealer near you and see it they might have it in stock. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 5:28 PM

Buy Buy Buy!

You already have the correct wire in your house. Presently it is attaced to that dead mouse the that box behind your computer. Cut off the mouse and the plug, slit the cable open, and there are all the wires you will need for that job.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: About 20 minutes from IRM
  • 430 posts
Posted by CGW121 on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 6:41 PM

As to shrink tubing being too large you may want to try liquid electrical tape. Home Depot has it for about $6.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 10:17 PM

Lion

I don't have any dead mice! When the exterminator first came in I likely had lots of them but they are all gone now. Besides, they would have been too stiff to use as wire!Smile, Wink & GrinLaughLaughClownDunce

With respect,

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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