| Joel |
Has anybody tried the Alpha military spec wire they sell at Mouser.com?
I'm wondering if it's worth the extra $$$, as far as heat and abuse resistance. |
|
|
| dhaen |
Dunno Joel,
I'm sure you'll let us know what it "sounds" like;) |
|
|
| dorkus |
what kind of wire is it?
i'm not sure what the Mil spec is for but yeah, probably things like tensile strength, dielectric breakdown rating, and heat resistance. all things not particularly important for audio. :p
i would make your wire choice independent of the Mil spec or what not. if it's good, it's good wire, regardless of spec. or it could be crappy wire and Mil spec.
is this stranded silver-plated copper with teflon insulation? |
|
|
| Philo |
| Generally, milspec includes those requirements, especially heat resistance. In the Navy, most data carrying wiring is now required to be teflon or better insulated, including CAT5(plenum). Internal wiring for for electronic equipment is also silver plated. Nice stuff to work with, and have used it on some small audio projects, but I haven't had a chance to compare it sonically. |
|
|
| Joel |
| quote: | Originally posted by dhaen
Dunno Joel,
I'm sure you'll let us know what it "sounds" like;) |
Yeah, I will John. I hope it's extra juicy.:D |
|
|
| sam9 |
| The reason for a lot of the mil-spec requirements is to insure continued functioning while subject to dire and extreme conditions. The Navy also is concerned with esposure to high humidity/saline environments. If this decsribes your situation perhaps you want to consider moving to a different neighborhood. |
|
|
| Bas Horneman |
| What is the mouser part no? |
|
|
| Philo |
| quote: | | If this decsribes your situation perhaps you want to consider moving to a different neighborhood. |
LOL! So true, Corrosion is very much an issue but unfortunately it is usually from condensation. Because most shipboard equipment is high power we cool the hell out of everything. We also dry the air but moisture gets in and condensate forms on the equipment. The biggest concern is the ability to remain operational in a battle so shock and heat resistance are primary concerns. If you can get it cheap like I can, use it, but don't spend the extra bucks for it unless your sure of the benefit. |
|
|
| Joel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Bas Horneman
What is the mouser part no? |
Bas, it's 602-1855/19-100-06 (description:22G MILW16878E)
Basically, I just wanted something that wasn't going to get all funky when you solder it, and the 600V rating is nice. Seems about 80% of the hookup wire sold by dealers is only a 300V rating... not so good for a tube amp maybe.:rolleyes: |
|
|
| Peter Daniel |
Joel,
I've just noticed some suspiciously expensive capacitors in your new avatar.;) |
|
|
| Bas Horneman |
Thanks Joel,
I'm busy creating an order with mouser... so may be nice to get some wire..while I'm at it...
Cheers,
Bas |
|
|
| Bas Horneman |
Hi Joel...
The milspec, it's, it's, It's PVC!!!! Yukky..
Can't be any good then...get the teflon..you know the dielectric has a major effect on the sound! ;-)
Cheers,
Bas |
|
|
| peranders |
| quote: | Originally posted by Bas Horneman
Hi Joel...
The milspec, it's, it's, It's PVC!!!! Yukky..
Can't be any good then...get the teflon..you know the dielectric has a major effect on the sound! ;-)
|
Have you tested air insulated coax? Air is dielectric. Why don't any audiophile talk about this type of cable? |
|
|
| Joel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Peter Daniel
I've just noticed some suspiciously expensive capacitors in your new avatar.;) |
Peter, unfortunately none big enough to use in an audio amp!:(
;) |
|
|
| dhaen |
Why use any insulation?
Just support the wire on "standoffs". It works for the Power Grid, where losses of 0.001% are costly.:D |
|
|
| Joel |
| quote: | Originally posted by Bas Horneman
Hi Joel...
The milspec, it's, it's, It's PVC!!!! Yukky... |
Yeah, I see that Bas. But it's also 30 cents a foot, wheras the teflon at Angela and other places is 99 cents a foot. BIG difference... Is there a BIG performance diff? Just wondering.
I'll probably stick to my radio shack solid core anyway! :D |
|
|
| dorkus |
there is a huge performance difference. PVC really sucks. don't use it anywhere except perhaps for AC power cords.
i am pretty sure you can get teflon wire cheap if you look in the right place. i got my surplus belden wire, 18 gauge stranded silver plate copper w/white teflon, for about 10 cents a foot or less. i don't remember where, maybe All Electronics. |
|
|
| BrianGT |
Apex Jr has a lot of teflon silver plated copper wire for reasonable prices:
http://www.apexjr.com/wire.html
$0.13 a foot for 18ga .... $12 for 100 ft
That is where I got most of my wire. It is all milspec.
--
Brian |
|
|
| dorkus |
| yeah, don't spend much more than 10 cents a foot for basic hookup wire. 30 cents for PVC is ridiculous. so is .99 for teflon. |
|
|
| Joel |
| quote: | Originally posted by dorkus
yeah, don't spend much more than 10 cents a foot for basic hookup wire. 30 cents for PVC is ridiculous. so is .99 for teflon. |
I completely agree. |
|
|
| Bas Horneman |
I use belden cat5 teflon isolated wire...got it really cheap..3 of the 4 tp are teflon and 1 tp is pvc... but that was a one off buy...the shop where i got it has got none left..
but any hookup with solid core is good enough imo..
the coax that has air as dielectric should be ideal..except it is ungainly in use.. |
|
|
| MRehorst |
Isn't "Hospital Grade" supposed to sound better than "Mil Spec"?
;)
MR |
|
|
| MRehorst |
I picked up a lot of Teflon insulated wire on ebay for what came out to $0.03 per foot including shipping. The stuff is there all the time. Search for "teflon wire".
I can't say it "sounds" better (I seriously doubt it) but is sure does solder better. Teflon insulation doesn't melt like PVC, so you get good, nice looking solder joints every time.
MR |
|
|
| Apex Jr |
Someone spoke of the Mil 16878 spec.
For information
Mil 16878/ 4 is standard E Teflon
Mil 16878/ 5 is heavy wall Teflon
Mil 16878/ 6 is thin wall Teflon
each type can come in either 7 strand but mostly
19 strand
Steve |
|
|
| pinkmouse |
| I have loads of reclaimed wire I use for projects, as well as stuff I specifically buy. Is there an easy way to work out if any of my surplus stuff is Teflon? |
|
|
| dorkus |
just stick your iron on it for a few seconds and see if it melts. :p
once you see teflon, it's hard to miss it. it tends to be very hard and tough compared to other insulations, often but not always with a semi-glossy finish. it does not stretch much either. |
|
|
| Apex Jr |
When you touch teflon with your fingers it has a smooth
and destint feel. You'll know when you feel it.
Regular PVC is hard feeling and can feel rough.
Steve |
|
|
| MRehorst |
Teflon insulation has an almost greasy feel to it. It is hard to strip with a regular wire stripper because it takes a lot of force to cut it and you usually end up cutting some of the strands of wire with it, especially the 19 strand stuff. It is hard to cut the insulation cleanly so you end up with little whiskers of teflon attached to the ends of the wires.
If you're going to use a lot of teflon wire, do yourself a big favor and get a thermal stripper. It will cleanly melt through the teflon without damaging the wire underneath. You can pay top dollar for a thermal stripper if you get it from a tool company, or you can look for one on ebay or at a ham fest. I picked mine up for $10 at a flea market.
MR |
|
|
|
