Does it matter what kind of wire I buy from a store if we need more?

[Dr. Poptart]

I need to go buy some more 14 gauge wire for motor controllers and stuff and I'm browsing the Lowe's and Home Depot sites looking at the wire...
So of course I'd be getting it in red and black but is there a specific kind I need? The THHN wire at Lowe's looks like it's the correct kind to me but I'd like to make sure first. :eek:

[tgross35]

It doesn't matter what kind of wire you get, as long as it complies with the proper amperage-gauge rating set by First (check in the rules manual, there's a chart.) But outside of that, get whatever you want. Stranded wire is often the easiest to work with, though.

[geomapguy]

Stranded copper wire really works the best

[MrForbes]

there are different kinds of insulation and wire strand sizes. I'd suggest shopping in an automotive parts store, or the auto parts section of a hardware store, if they have one. Robot wiring more closely resembles car wiring, than house wiring.

The difference is mainly in how easy it is to bend the wire...you want flexible wire in something like a robot that moves. Houses don't move much, so they can use inflexible wiring.

[Dr. Poptart]

Thanks, everyone! I will be parts shopping tomorrow! :D

[philso]

I would suggest purchasing "hookup wire" from an autoparts store. An electronics supply or electronics surplus store may also sell hookup wire.

The THHN from an electrical supply store or Home Depot/Lowes often consists of fewer, thicker strands. This makes the THHN stiffer and harder to work with than the hookup wire made from more, thinner strands.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ysidro,
MCM sells some nice wire in quantity that is called "zip" cord in that both red and black wires are fused together. If you want them to separate, it is easy to "zip" them apart. Check here...
http://electronics.mcmelectronics.com/search?cataf=&view=list&w=zip+cord&x=0&y=0