Button Box - Wire

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kiwis

832 posts

Ultimate Geek

#283992 24-Mar-2021 14:53

Looking to build a small button box using a teensy or similar.

What type of wire would I use? anything specific in the specifications I need to look out for?

Here's an example

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/blue-flexible-light-duty-hook-up-wire-sold-per-metre/p/WH3016

elpenguino

3419 posts

Uber Geek

#2679860 24-Mar-2021 15:39

Yes, that kind of thing. Get a few metres and at least a few different colours to make fault finding easier.

For that kind of project you don't want really thick wire (not flexible enough) or very thin (breaks too easily)

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

kiwis

832 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2679887 24-Mar-2021 16:53

elpenguino:

Yes, that kind of thing. Get a few metres and at least a few different colours to make fault finding easier.

For that kind of project you don't want really thick wire (not flexible enough) or very thin (breaks too easily)

So you think that stuff will work? not to thick or thin?

Or do you need to go for this?

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/red-heavy-duty-hook-up-wire-sold-per-metre/p/WH3040

richms

28168 posts

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#2679893 24-Mar-2021 17:14

I got a whole lot of old parallel printer cables ages back to cut open and use for wire. Loads of colours in them, and a 5m one has been enough to get thru 3 arcade cabinet shell wire ups.

There is no need for heavy wire as its just logic level stuff.

Richard rich.ms

elpenguino

3419 posts

Uber Geek

#2679900 24-Mar-2021 17:25

kiwis:

elpenguino:

Yes, that kind of thing. Get a few metres and at least a few different colours to make fault finding easier.

For that kind of project you don't want really thick wire (not flexible enough) or very thin (breaks too easily)

So you think that stuff will work? not to thick or thin?

Or do you need to go for this?

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/red-heavy-duty-hook-up-wire-sold-per-metre/p/WH3040

Ah, I see the spec is on another tab. That's a poor web site design - the spec should be visible first.

No, the 'heavy' is too heavy. The light duty stuff will be better/easier.

As for @richms' suggestion, yes, you can use pretty much anything but when it comes to using things like ex-printer ribbons (which are nice and colourful) you will find the insulation is a sod to strip by hand. If you're using a mechanised method to strip then that's less off a PITA.

If you don't want to go to buy anything, use whatever is around, such as by stripping an old machine down.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

neb

11294 posts

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#2682023 28-Mar-2021 15:42

elpenguino:
Yes, that kind of thing. Get a few metres and at least a few different colours to make fault finding easier.

Also if it's for permanent installation see if you can get solid-core, it's more substantial than the stranded stuff, particularly in the small sizes you're looking it.