Heater wire supplier

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
User avatar
dragonbat13
Posts: 351
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:38 am
Location: Southwest Louisiana

Heater wire supplier

Post by dragonbat13 »

I'm looking for a some solid core, pre tinned, heater wire.

Also, I want to use the minimum gauge for preamp and power. I think I have been using 18 for power tubes, then dropping down to 20 for preamp. I will be using this in Dumble type, high gain jcm800/soldano, all the way to tweeds and Plexi amps. I want to buy by the roll. I'm tired of fighting this. I don't like doing heater wiring and having to search through my rats nest of wire makes it worse.

I use ONLY Belton sockets, so it needs to work well with those.

Any ideas?
User avatar
xtian
Posts: 7103
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:15 pm
Location: Chico, CA
Contact:

Re: Heater wire supplier

Post by xtian »

I typically run the transformer's own wires to by power tube sockets, then 20ga "topcoat" hookup wire for preamp tubes:

https://www.mojotone.com/20-Ga-Pre-Tinn ... oated-Wire

Also I don't twist any more, just used a little shring tubing to keep the wire pair mated. Check it out: https://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=35827
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
SoulFetish
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:50 pm
Location: Norwood, MA

Re: Heater wire supplier

Post by SoulFetish »

dragonbat13 wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 7:53 pm I want to buy by the roll. I'm tired of fighting this. I don't like doing heater wiring and having to search through my rats nest of wire makes it worse.
Dude, you're making the right call. You're finally going to be free. I grew so tired and frustrated spending valuable time digging through transformer wire clippings, and salvage wire looking for the right color/right kind of wire. I refuse to live or work like that anymore. Same goes with hardware and fasteners.
I used to love working with solid core wire, but I've changed my mind on that over the past few years. Solid core is great in that it is easy to terminate through terminals (no need to pre-tin to keep strands from causing problems), and it stays in place nicely. However, it becomes problematic when you need to make repairs or modifications in that it can cause terminals and solder lugs to break from stress, and over time, vibrations can cause them to ring out and float in their solder connections.

I'm now in the same camp as xtian. Topcoat, pretinned hookup wire is a dream to use. It's easy and fast to strip and solder. Plus, it gives you the stability of being able to hold it's position like solid core, but has some of the flexibility of stranded wire, so it is easier to work with.
Unless I need really flexible wire, or I'm making crimp connections, topcoat is the way to go.
I get mine from CEdist.
https://www.cedist.com/products/wire-we ... 0v-50-feet

https://www.cedist.com/products/wire-we ... 0v-50-feet
User avatar
dragonbat13
Posts: 351
Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:38 am
Location: Southwest Louisiana

Re: Heater wire supplier

Post by dragonbat13 »

After doing some research I agree with you 100 percent.

That wire you sent me is what I will most likely use.

I take it it "works/assembles" like solid core, yet has the durability of stranded?
Post Reply