[BabyBuffy]

Sooner or later just about everyone here must buy stranded wire of various gauges.

Who for sure provides good quality at optimum price?

I almost blundered into buying what would have been CCA wire via Amazon.

 

[orton]

I bought the stranded "SO" cord from the local electrical supply house (Platt) or local hardware store. Also used some from cut HF extension cords.

The 12 volt battery cables were bought and made with connectors by the local Interstate battery store. Used pieces of rope cut to the length I wanted, added a tag at each end stating what hole diameter I wanted and if it should be a straight or 90 degree connector. Put a tag on the center of the rope stating cable color and gauge. Dropped the pile of ropes on the counter and picked up the completed cables the next day.

 

[sschefer]

For DC, I like Ancor. I used to get it locally but they sold the company and now I get it through West Marine. I like it because it typically has a higher strand count and is tinned copper so it it less likely to corrode. Because of its higher strand count it's typically softer and easier to work with.

 

[Michael Ophus]

the local electrical supply store, (chris haynes) they know me and i can get it wholesale. i gave them a sample of tinned copper and they gave me welding cable, not what i wanted but not the end of the world since it already was cut off the roll, and i want to stay in good graces with them since i am not using a company charge account anymore! SO cable from the same place, and 16 gauge lamp cord from True Value hardware for LED lights. (you can buy any length.)

 

[EddieZ]

IF you are pulling through conduit (I used plastic flex conduit), you can use stranded THHN from a home building supply store. It has fewer, thicker strands than automotive wire, and has tougher insulation, so it stands up to the stress of conduit pulls. It is significantly less flexible, unfortunately.

 

[BabyBuffy]

For DC, I like Marinco. I used to get it locally but they sold the company and now I get it through West Marine. I like it because it typically has a higher strand count and is tinned copper so it it less likely to corrode. Because of its higher strand count it's typically softer and easier to work with.

West Marine has been my back-up plan all along but have read so many complaints about how much more pricy they are, was hoping to learn of other equal quality sources without such high price tags.

 

[pjtezza]

Like @sschefer, I also prefer the tin coated marine style wire. It is also nice that they have duplex and triplex options for 12V and 120V in the gauges you need in an RV. Marine style adhesive lined butt connectors are very reliable. I'd say that Ancor is the name brand for marine wire and butt connectors. It is what they sell at West Marine. But yes, this brand is expensive, even on Amazon. Digging around on Amazon, I've found other brands of this style of wire for less: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EADW6SW/ and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI52TA4/ for example. This is mostly what I used in my van. I can't say about long term, but it looks good and has worked well so far.

For my 1/0 main cables, I used all copper welding cable. I bought it off Amazon, but I'd check electrical supply houses if you have the time.

I would not recommend THHN. It is just too hard to work with.

For connectors, I recommend a high quality ratcheting style crimper for normal stuff and hydraulic crimpers for 1/0 plus heat shrink. There is a guy on YouTube that compares pull out strength for various connectors. I'm pretty sure Ancor was the best, but all the ratcheting crimpers worked well. The basic type of crimper doesn't really work at all.

I am still working on finding a good solution for 12V plugs for things like the water pump, that I'd like to be easy to install and remove. I tried some inexpensive waterproof connectors from Amazon, but they suck. I recently ordered some connectors I saw electrical bike builders using. They look great, but I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

 

[sschefer]

Like @sschefer, I also prefer the tin coated marine style wire. It is also nice that they have duplex and triplex options for 12V and 120V in the gauges you need in an RV. Marine style adhesive lined butt connectors are very reliable. I'd say that Ancor is the name brand for marine wire and butt connectors. It is what they sell at West Marine. But yes, this brand is expensive, even on Amazon. Digging around on Amazon, I've found other brands of this style of wire for less: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EADW6SW/ and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI52TA4/ for example. This is mostly what I used in my van. I can't say about long term, but it looks good and has worked well so far.

For my 1/0 main cables, I used all copper welding cable. I bought it off Amazon, but I'd check electrical supply houses if you have the time.

I would not recommend THHN. It is just too hard to work with.

For connectors, I recommend a high quality ratcheting style crimper for normal stuff and hydraulic crimpers for 1/0 plus heat shrink. There is a guy on YouTube that compares pull out strength for various connectors. I'm pretty sure Ancor was the best, but all the ratcheting crimpers worked well. The basic type of crimper doesn't really work at all.

I am still working on finding a good solution for 12V plugs for things like the water pump, that I'd like to be easy to install and remove. I tried some inexpensive waterproof connectors from Amazon, but they suck. I recently ordered some connectors I saw electrical bike builders using. They look great, but I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

My bad, yes Ancor wire is correct not Marinco. I changed it in the original post.

 

[highaltitudelife]

I am still working on finding a good solution for 12V plugs for things like the water pump, that I'd like to be easy to install and remove. I tried some inexpensive waterproof connectors from Amazon, but they suck. I recently ordered some connectors I saw electrical bike builders using. They look great, but I haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Have you looked at Anderson Powerpoles or SB connectors?

https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-powerpole-sb-connectors

They come in different amperage ratings (15A to 350A) are polarity keyed. They have a very reliable self-wiping contact design. Also, lots of accessories available.

 

[Hein]

Waytek Wire has a great selection of automotive DC and AC wire but their minimums aren't very low. They also have Weather pack connectors which is the standard for sealed 12V connections in the automotive world. You will need special crimp tool and a little bit of patience to use Weather pack connectors but the effort is well worth it. They are very easy to disconnect even with on hand. Weather pack terminals are good up to 25A iirc. Anderson power pole connectors can carry more current (they have more than one size) but aren't sealed. They are designed more for non permanent connections like winches, trolling motors and the like. The is also Metri-pack which is similar to weather pack but has some sizes that can carry more current.

P.S.
For DC in vehicles the common choices are either primary wire or GPT. For 2 or more conductors consider brake wire which is jacketed. Macmaster Carr has a wide selection of wire. They have a 2 conductor red/black low voltage wire that I've used: https://www.mcmaster.com/#9697t5/=16iv5rr

 

[pjtezza]

Have you looked at Anderson Powerpoles or SB connectors?

https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-powerpole-sb-connectors

They come in different amperage ratings (15A to 350A) are polarity keyed. They have a very reliable self-wiping contact design. Also, lots of accessories available.

I had not seen the Powerwerx and they look nice - thanks! Here is what I'm about to try: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XBLLG5S/. If the soldering is too much of a PITA, I'll give Powerwerx a try.

 

[pjtezza]

They also have Weather pack connectors which is the standard for sealed 12V connections in the automotive world. You will need special crimp tool and a little bit of patience to use Weather pack connectors but the effort is well worth it. They are very easy to disconnect even with on hand. Weather pack terminals are good up to 25A iirc. Anderson power pole connectors can carry more current (they have more than one size) but aren't sealed. They are designed more for non permanent connections like winches, trolling motors and the like. The is also Metri-pack which is similar to weather pack but has some sizes that can carry more current.

The connecters I tried and didn't like look like the Weatherpack connectors. My issue wasn't with the crimp. IMO, the pin and hole used to complete the circuit are too difficult to get aligned. If they aren't aligned when you push the connectors together, the pin can get pushed out of the back of the connector just enough to break the circuit but not enough to be easily visible. In my case, I've been taking my refrigerator in and out a fair amount and this connector let me down one too many times. The ones I installed on the water pump and furnace are working fine, but I only connected them once. Maybe I'm just having a quality issue. They might be rated for 25A, but they don't look like they can handle much current - more like electronic than electrical.

 

[pjtezza]

I got a chance to give the XT-60 connectors a try yesterday. Some photos are attached. They are inexpensive and seem nice. If you prefer to crimp rather than solder, it is possible to buy them with soldered leads. There is available a larger XT-90 connector with an anti-spark feature. You have to be a bit careful when buying these connectors: According to the reviews I read, there are some inferior clones on the market that have substantially less metal and inferior plastic that melts when the connector is soldered.

 

[markley]

So it seems that most folks like the Ancor AWG wire from West Marine. Is the biggest advantage here the tinned copper?

Trying to justify the extra cost.

Looking at 2awg wire and found this on Amazon (20 ft. of wire for $36), which is about same cost for 20 ft. of THHN 2 AWG wire from Lowes:

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Battery-Flexible-Inverter-WindyNation/dp/B011Z81N38/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509464411&sr=8-2&keywords=2awg%2Bwire&th=1[/ame]

From West Marine (20 ft. of wire for $106):

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ancor--battery-cable-2-awg-by-the-foot--P0233718?pCode=233718


Wow, $70 dollars more at West Marine. What are the other advantages? I am the sort to pay the extra money if justified (the whole you get what you pay for), but was wondering how these could be that much different. I understand that the fewer thicker wires (THHN) is harder to work with (less flexible), but how hard is it? I don't need that much but will be working in tight places and likely need to have somewhat of 90ish degree bends in the wire. I guess I'll have to go to Lowes and see for myself but would like to hear thoughts from those that use it.

 

[pjtezza]

I like the marine wire because it comes in a selection of sizes and configurations that are handy for building RVs. The tin coating maybe overkill inside an RV, but it doesn't have any negatives that I know of. However, just because it is "marine," I don't buy my wire from Ancor or West Marine because is would be very expensive. I've had good luck buying bulk spools from suppliers on Amazon. Sometimes, you have to get creative to find the size and configuration you want.

 

[markley]

After browsing around on Amazon, it seems like the biggest savings (at least for myself) would be on the larger gauge wires (2awg and 4 awg). It would be about $125 cheaper on amazon to get 10 feet of 2AWG (both black and red) and 15 feet of 4 AWG (both black and red). Anything that jumps out that would be a no no with these:
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0167K7DO2/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3341940462&pd_rd_wg=oHfwQ&pf_rd_r=MKS7NPR809SNZVXQ5A0G&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B0167K7DO2&pd_rd_w=kAp90&pf_rd_i=marine+2+awg&pd_rd_r=8ac6216f-19cf-45d4-9413-001155b6b1a3&ie=UTF8&qid=1509537507&sr=1[/ame]

It seems like I will be better off going through West Marine for the smaller stuff (10AWG primary wire and 16/2, 14/2 duplex) since they sell it by the foot. Since I don't need all that much I would not benefit from getting bulk spools. I have enough stuff in my basement then to add spools of wire i may never need. I haven't checked out any local supplier yet.

What are your thoughts on lugs/terminals? For instance, for 2AWG heavy duty lugs (5/16", 3/8", and 1/4") in the exact amount that I will need (therefore no extras or room for error when crimping) would be almost twice the cost if I get them through Amazon (and with amazon I would have twice as many as i need; i'm sure I'll mess up a few). If I broke down the cost per lug from West Marine, it would be 3.5x as expensive ($125 vs. $36 for 10 pack). Here are lugs I found on Amazon (thoughts?):
[ame]https://www.amazon.com/TINNED-BATTERY-WELDING-CONNECTOR-TERMINAL/dp/B008D54R76/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509542138&sr=8-3&keywords=2%2Bawg%2Bwire%2Blugs&dpID=41GR%252BGJOAyL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1&psc=1[/ame]

Same goes for heat shrink terminals for the small gauge wires...much cheaper to get bulk packs of 100 and have room for error.

 

[pjtezza]

From what I have seen, Ancor and West Marine wiring products are top quality, so if you can get those cheaper and/or more conveniently, go for it. I looked at my order history and I bought most of my marine wire from Lawrence Marine Products. They have a pretty good selection of tin coated wire and lugs, but their quantities may not match your application.

• I end up using a good deal more wire than what I measure for, even in the large gauges.
• I use a hydraulic crimper for the big gauges - one with dies for AWG is ideal - check Amazon for bargains
• Pure copper or tin coated copper lugs with adhesive lined heat shrink for the big gauges
• High quality ratchet crimper with AWG dies for the smaller gauges
• Non-insulated connectors with heat shrink for the small gauges

 

[markley]

[*]Non-insulated connectors with heat shrink for the small gauges
[/LIST]

Why non-insulated? due to cost?

 

[Spec]

Have you looked at Anderson Powerpoles or SB connectors?

https://powerwerx.com/anderson-power-powerpole-sb-connectors

They come in different amperage ratings (15A to 350A) are polarity keyed. They have a very reliable self-wiping contact design. Also, lots of accessories available.

I buy Anderson stuff from Mouser Electronics for my business. If you look carefully at their bulk listings and buy at the right quantity, their pricing seems to be about the best. Be careful because they have bulk and individual pricing, which seems odd because they let you select quantity down to one either way. You buy the contacts at various size wire allowances and then the connector housings they go in.

If you are buying just a few, perhaps there are other, quicker sources.

I also recommend soldering the contacts rather than crimping, especially if it's a high use connection.

 

[pjtezza]

Why non-insulated? due to cost?

The insulation makes the crimping more difficult and the results are bulky. I always heat shrink, so the insulation isn't necessary.