jerrymac Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 For those of you who are electro smart. Would it be safe to use 4 conductor 16 or 18 gauge speaker wire for connecting dmx controllers w/power to rgb dumb strings. I need to add extensions (connecter wire) between RGB stips and the controllers of about 5 feet, and found a number of suppliers with 4 conducter 16 and 18 gauge speaker wire (unshielded).And while at it what is the actual difference between speaker wire and electrial wire (of same gauge)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamS Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 most speaker wire will be stranded which will actually be better season after season. Im not 100% sure on something to look out for as there needs to be proper signal when sending DMX over speaker wire. As for RGB dumb strips, make sure the connections are good and sealed. Speaker wire is usually in a humidty controlled enviornment and can corrode in a hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 The 18 guage will be fine for the length you mentioned, plus a lot easier to solder without bridging the connections. Speaker wire is not UV protected and is a poor choice for year round use outdoors. It's a great cheap wire for seasonal use during the cooler months. Discard at first signs of cracking insulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponddude Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Everything people said here is absolutely correct. If you are really looking for a year round option (I know you never said that here) speaker wire probably isn't the best bet.Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Benedict Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 You might look at http://www.ebay.com/itm/370554590312?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649For short runs, this should do just fine.This is stranded and shielded wire.I'll be doing longer runs, so I will be using a 24 volt DC power supply and dmx for several drops. At each drop, I will be using a 12v DC regulator ($9) and a 3 channel rgb controller from holidaycoro.com inside a weatherproof box.There is a fair amount of voltage drop in my layout after 80 feet; the 24vdc drops down to 16vdc at full on (for a 5M RGB strip). The regulator keeps 12vdc all the time, no matter what the load. A full on 5M strip draws about 3 amps at 12vdc.24v regualtor: http://www.ebay.com/itm/270971922945?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l26493 channel DMX RGB controller: http://www.holidaycoro.com/3-Channel-RGB-DMX-Controller-p/25.htmWeatherproof box: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251082698149Voltage drop calculator: http://calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=52.96&voltage=24&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=100&distanceunit=feet&eres=3&x=96&y=20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamS Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Ken, is that wire UV rated? Im still looking for good wire that will reside outside in Florida for about 3 months. My display will go up Oct 1 and come down Jan 1. I have cheap wire for playing right now but even inside its not going to hold up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Benedict Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 GoofyGuy - Look for wire called "plenum" or "plenum rated".Not only is it UV rated, but can handle a fire (which I hope doesn't happen to you).I have some telephone plenum wire that's been sitting outside for over 10 years in the hot California sun and it still looks new. I was hoping it would deteriorate naturally, but no luck.Now that I think about it, do you want it?Check Ebay for "plenum wire" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamS Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I may want it, but Florida is a haul to send some wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shfr26 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 GoofyGuy wrote: I may want it, but Florida is a haul to send some wire.Go to the dealership, say somebody wants to test drive a car, take it, go pick up the wire and your done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dito Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 so when i was suggested this 4-wire 18awg speaker wire, i shouldnt have listened...?http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023904&p_id=4043&seq=1&format=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponddude Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 That wiring should be OK. It appears to be much more heavier duty and the shielding will help with any noise that is along the line. It is along the same lines of what our extension cabling is like...http://www.seasonalentertainmentllc.com/store/en/17-waterproof-cabling...ours is very heavy duty as it is covered in a UV rated protector so that it can be used outside.Yours should work just fine though.Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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