Anybody have a good (i.e. cheap) source for 12 AWG Black & Red wire for, e.g., 40 amp circuits?
We get most of our robot wire (and Anderson Power Pole connectors) from PowerWerx. When we need something quickly, we go to the auto parts shop - lots of different colors in stock, too.
I don’t know about good (i.e. cheap), but if you’re looking for a good (i.e. fast and reliable) source for 12AWG wire, a number of common FRC suppliers have it for sale.
I can second this reccomendation
After reading through the suggestions here, Team 8 tried Powerwerx—good quality wire at a very respectable price from what we found.
For our non-drive motors we get 12AWG and 18AWG wire from monoprice. It’s cheap and comes sheathed in white to match our color scheme or you can pull the sheath off and have individual red and black wires.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=2817
For the drive train we use VEXpro/CTRE for wire, though we use white/black instead of red/black.
DigiKey has been reliable and reasonably priced
We like red+black zip wire for almost everything* that isn’t a PWM cable. Powerwerx is a good source and we’ve also used others. We stock several sizes, up to 10 AWG.
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*for CAN we buy separate spools of 20 AWG yellow and green, then twist them together using a power drill.
I would suggest you look at using 10 AWG for your 40 amp circuits. There is a measurable increase in power efficiency and motor performance when you use a larger wire size.
I can second monoprice.
Their speaker cables have been powering our robots since 2011. We’ve move to zip wire and silicon coated (flexible) cables for comp bots in the past few years, but we still and up buying spools of 18, 14, 12 AWG cable for practice chassis and prototypes. Consistent good quality wire. Never had a problem.
There are a few cheaper options out there
through Asian retailers on sites like eBay/aliexpress, but its a gamble.
Check out your local automotive parts dealer. For heavier gauge wire you can sometimes get a good deal by purchasing booster cables and cutting off the ends.
Jason
P.S. If you can find a smaller, local source, you might also find a local sponsor… or at least be able to talk them into selling to you at cost.
There are a number of threads on this topic and thanks to one of those, we learned about MCM Electronics as a great source for inexpensive zip wire. I haven’t compared their pricing to some of those listed here in the last month or so but at the time of our last purchase, MCM was significantly cheaper than others I checked.
NOTE: MCM appears to have recently “merged with” a sister company (Newark) but the Newark site still shows those old MCM part numbers available at the same prices we had previously from MCM.
Thanks to all. I’ve learned more about wire than I thought I would. Some lessons:
(1) A lot of inexpensive wire out there is “Copper Clad Aluminum,” or “CCA.” Has substantially more resistance than pure copper wire and is decidedly not recommended. A lot of the cheap stuff on Amazon and Ebay is this stuff.
(2) A lot of stranded wire is “tinned copper.” This is intended mainly for harsher environments (i.e. outside) as the tinning helps resist corrosion. Generally more expensive.
(3) Solid wire is intended for situations where the wire doesn’t move – think “inside a wall.” Stranded wire is intended more for situations where it does move.
(4) The more strands, the more flexible. Some 12 AWG wire has 60+ strands, some only has 8.
(5) The insulator around the copper has a lot to do with flexibility also. PVC is the most common (and least expensive). Silicone insulators are more flexible.
(6) 50- or 100-foot spools are a lot more economical per foot
(7) Endorsement for using 10AWG over 12AWG for motors. (Not sure if 10AWG will fit into the XT60 connectors that are literally on a slow boat from China on their way to us.)
Our Local Electrical Cooperative donates all our wire each season.
Check with your local electric utility they are usually great about helping any way they can.
They do fit 10AWG wire, and try getting your XT60 connectors from here:
http://www.buddyrc.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Genuine+XT60+Connectors+(4+Pairs%2C+Blue)
Good price and quick delivery.
FYI: AutomationDirect now sells hook-up wire and there will be a voucher in your KOP this year you can apply towards it.
Check it out here
10-20 AWG. Lots of colors.
Fast & free shipping (if ordering over $49) and very competitive prices
ex: 500ft 20AWG: $25.
FRC Voucher is for $35. Do the math.
Side note: This is industrial wire rated at 600V, so the insulation is going to be a little thicker than your typical hobby wire …
I personally like Greg’s Marine Wire Supply: https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Marine-Primary-Wire
Sure, its not zip cord, but its great wire, high strand, and cheap.
We get our XT60 connectors from amazon. Amazon.com