Source for AWG 16, 4 conductor, Pure Copper Speaker Wire for use in wiring accessories?

This may not be what you are searching for, but...

https://www.amazon.com/Conduct...&sr=8-5&th=1

There are lots of options with a Google search.

Just beware of CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)

It's out there.  A very quick search turned this up:

https://www.wireandcableyourwa...g8p4_TvXHMUwExw2ceKW

We are in the Dallas area and there are many wire/cable dealers (some wholesale only).  Have you checked Grainger?  They may have something.  But, I think you will have to go local to get the overall length you want, unless you are looking for a 250' spool.

Try searching for Trailer Wiring. Most offered is 4 different colors, with 16 gauge wires.

@AlliesDad posted:

It's out there.  A very quick search turned this up:

https://www.wireandcableyourwa...g8p4_TvXHMUwExw2ceKW

We are in the Dallas area and there are many wire/cable dealers (some wholesale only).  Have you checked Grainger?  They may have something.  But, I think you will have to go local to get the overall length you want, unless you are looking for a 250' spool.

I just checked with Grainger, but they only sell 16 AWG/4 in 1,000 foot spools!

Are you wiring all your accessories with a single feed? 16 awg seems large to me, as it is rated for 10 to 13 amps.

Gotta' go with John H here, that seems like overkill unless you're running a real ore smelter.

Why not use thermostat wire? Should be heavy enough to carry the load.

I used this a few years ago and it worked out really well.  It appears to have only gone up $4 since I bought it.  I used the black for a common, the red and white for hot feeds (two branches) and the green for the accessory feed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003...b_fed_asin_title_0_0

You can check the Monoprice website as well.

I used aviation connectors as interfaces.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075..._b_fed_asin_title_18

John

This is what I use for all my accessories:

Over 25 buildings, signals, 2 rolls of led strips, and 3 smoke units drawing less than 6 amps with everything on.

You also can use door bell wire.  The big box stores usually have it in stock.  If you need more than 2 conductors go with telephone/thermostat wire.

Jan

@ADCX Rob posted:

There are lots of options with a Google search.

Thank you -- I poked through those results for a ways and found both 2 conductor and 4 conductor 16 AWG wire available from Rockville Audio that'll do the trick.

@John H posted:

Are you wiring all your accessories with a single feed? 16 awg seems large to me, as it is rated for 10 to 13 amps.

I usually tie all the accessories in part of the layout to one MTH terminal block, then just run two wires to the ZW I use for accessory power.  I do the same for the accessories in the other part of the layout.  I don't trust the lightweight wiring some people suggested in the past like 22 gauge, especially if I'm running it for some distance.  Maybe someone else is comfortable using lightweight stuff for long distances, but I'm not.

I used a similar approach with star wiring on the last layout with one MTH terminal block for the outer loop and a second one for the inner loop, its various sidings and small yard.  I then connected each terminal block to the Z-4000.  I never had a power drop problem and always had a strong DCS signal anywhere on the layout's tracks.

@Craftech posted:

You can check the Monoprice website as well.

John

I read many negative customer reviews of Monoprice's wire over the last few days, so I passed on that brand.

@feet posted:

Why not use thermostat wire? Should be heavy enough to carry the load.

The speaker wire I purchased yesterday was listed as also suitable for wiring thermostats, controllers and other low voltage items.

@BenLMaggi posted:

Just beware of CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum)

Absolutely!

@Pat Shediack posted:

I read many negative customer reviews of Monoprice's wire over the last few days, so I passed on that brand.

Hi Pat,

If you read the Amazon customer reviews for that Monoprice 4-conductor wire I linked you will find the reviews for that particular wire are really good.  This matches my own experience with that specific wire.  I only mentioned checking the Monoprice website to see if it was cheaper than Amazon's price for the same wire.

I actually did check myself after I posted that and found that Amazon was charging less for it so if you decide to buy it, I would buy it from Amazon.  Monoprice has some products that aren't very good just like any other supplier, but that cable is not one of them.

John