Best place to buy stranded copper wire?

bosco659

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One thing I always seem to be short of in the garage is insulated, automotive, stranded copper wire. I was looking on Amazon and there lots coming out of China and wondered if anyone has purchased and used this wire with good results. I wouldn’t use their cheap copper plated aluminum wire or any single strand copper wire, but there’s a number of choices for stranded copper wire, with and without tinning and PVC or silicone insulation. Any thoughts on this. Btw I like to solder most connections if that matters in wire selection.
 
One thing I always seem to be short of in the garage is insulated, automotive, stranded copper wire. I was looking on Amazon and there lots coming out of China and wondered if anyone has purchased and used this wire with good results. I wouldn’t use their cheap copper plated aluminum wire or any single strand copper wire, but there’s a number of choices for stranded copper wire, with and without tinning and PVC or silicone insulation. Any thoughts on this. Btw I like to solder most connections if that matters in wire selection.
I get mine from Vintage Terminals, great selection, only issue is it only comes in 10 foot lengths
 
I think one can find decent wire on Amazon, but sorting through all the crap stuff offered takes some doing.
Our original wiring on most circuits is 1mm squared, that is close to 16AWG (1.38mmsq). Applications on lower amp circuits can be done with 18AWG (.8mm) and where space is an issue (dash bulbs, etc) .

I much prefer non-tinned stuff as it crimps and solders better (counterintuitively) IME. I also prefer PVC insulation over silicone for most bike uses as I find the silicone too flexible. For most bike uses GPT (PVC) class wire is adequate, but for fancier installations you can go with GXL (polyehylene) or SXL classes.

All above types in 35' spools here https://www.delcity.net/store/Wire-&-Cable

Cool striped wire (like OEM) http://www.vintageconnections.com/Products/Wire
 
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As I have had issues with black oxide forming in OEM wiring on some bikes, no doubt exaggerated by riding in the rain on a regular basis, I also prefer tinned wire. Not having Aircraft Spruce or similar vendors around, I have bought tinned marine wire from Hella. Unfortunately, I have only been able to get red and black in 1.5 and 2.5 sq.mm. So not ideal in that respect.
 
I get all my wire from Remington Industries.
They're out of Chicago. American made, great quality, great customer service and fast shipping.
Yeah, they ain't the cheapest game, but it's worth the little bit extra to me.


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Thanks for the comments. Never thought of Aircraft Spruce and they’re not far from me. Recently placed an order with Vintage Connections. Wish I had thought of them back then. Will follow upon other links. Unfortunately being north of the border, lots of US sources become expensive with shipping. Nonetheless will still research the recommendations.

Quick glance at Aircraft Spruce. Agree would be good quality but it is quite expensive. I guess you get what you pay for!
 
Its been a long time since I bought any i have enough at home .
But over the years problems has always been in connectors And / Or switches so I more or less grab the wire I can find .
I don't even use automotive always
Not paying much attention to what type . I tend to use oversized diameter wire .Solder a lot .
Shrink wrap .If I need to change I just cut and do the same again
Saving the connectors and the problems

Larger Gas stations sell wires ( or used to do so ) or at Automotive suppliers

Have Substandard wiring and don't ride a lot in rain
I Have seen a little black Oxide
 
As I have had issues with black oxide forming in OEM wiring on some bikes, no doubt exaggerated by riding in the rain on a regular basis, I also prefer tinned wire. Not having Aircraft Spruce or similar vendors around, I have bought tinned marine wire from Hella. Unfortunately, I have only been able to get red and black in 1.5 and 2.5 sq.mm. So not ideal in that respect.
Is the black oxide an insulator or does it conduct electricity?
 
I have an old 88 Virago harness that was partially burnt. It is still very flexible and gets used for various projects. The wire is just like that on the XS650 harnesses. Does this wire have a special trade name so I can buy some more. The flexibility is important in places that move about like wires going from the frame past the headstock to the headlight bucket.
 
I have an old 88 Virago harness that was partially burnt. It is still very flexible and gets used for various projects. The wire is just like that on the XS650 harnesses. Does this wire have a special trade name so I can buy some more. The flexibility is important in places that move about like wires going from the frame past the headstock to the headlight bucket.
I reckon it's Japanese std. AVSS, in 1 mmsq, that would be PVC insulation, multi-strand copper conductor. Equivalent to US std GPT and just a little smaller than 16AWG

https://www.caledonian-cables.co.uk/products/automotive-cable/AVSS.shtml
 
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