What gauge are the wires in standard NMRA 8-pin harnesses (like those old by TCS or SoundTraxx)?
Generally, 30AWG. Be sure to get the stranded wire that comes with the flexible insulation. It's particular handy/advangeous for wiring the trucks, which need the flexibility for axle rotation.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The various mail order - retail DCC shops sell this wire in the correct size and correct colors. For wiring a few engines, the multicolor pack is enough. If you are the guy that posted that he has 311 engines, you will need the separate spools of each color.
Is pricing better on Ebay or Amazon? Don't know, if I am ordering decoders from these shops, wire isn't going to add much to the total cost or the shipping.
PS I'm not talking about Trainworld or Modeltrainstuff. By DCC shops, I meant Tony's Trains, Streamlined Backshop and Lichtfield Station, in no particular order.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I have used #30, 28 strand. More flexible than the usual 7 strand 30 for diesel pickups.
The wire I used was rubber covered, not vinyl covered which might be why it is more flexible.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
So far, I've been buying the package of decoder wire that Digitrax offers.
It has 10' of each of the 9 colors, 30ga., for about $15, from my LHS.
Mike.
My You Tube
For N scale I have found that the wire from Digitrax too stiff for use between a steam loco and tender. The LokSound wire is much thinner and will flex better. The TCS wire is good too, but just a bit thicker.
If you need real good flex wire use the super flex wire from NWSL.
I liked the 4 wire 28 Gauge ribbon miniatronics stuff. But it can be pricey.
https://www.miniatronics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=7_3If you want cheap and have the room Atlas makes a very nice 5 wire ribbon cable that's color coded and 20 gauge. Because it's a ribbon it folds very nicely flat. Sometimes with lots of loose wires you struggle to keep them all in place.
https://shop.atlasrr.com/p-4891-5-conductor-ribbon-wire-50-.aspxIf I'm wiring LEDs I'll use magnet wire because LEDs are very low current.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
You want thin flexible wire?
You take it from an old mouse with a wire.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS