james campbell Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 I went to Menards today(about an hour drive from my place) they have spt 1 wire but ti's 18 gauge,is this the right stuff. looks really thin to me but said it is rated to 10 amps.I used spt 2 last season 16 gauge,is there also a 16 gauge spt-1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrison0550 Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 I personally have only ever seen/used 18g in spt1 or spt2 so yea that should be the right stuff.Both of these are 18g and Ive ordered from both in the past and never had a problem.http://www.christmaslightshow.com/SPT-1-18AWG-Wire-1000-feet.htmlhttp://wlcventures.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOR Staff Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 16 and 18 can be had in both SPT1 and SPT2. I'm not sure what Menards carries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james campbell Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 thanks guys,,,,this is what I saw http://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electrical-cords/extension-cords/18-2-250-black-lamp-cord/p-1462755-c-6410.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrison0550 Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 yup thats the stuff, Home Depot has it on the shelves as well. You save more by buying in bulk online but like in my situation last year I needed about 60ft more at the last minute and having a retailer near by that keeps it in stock is a huge plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 The only difference between SPT 1 and 2 wire is the thickness of the insulation.Just remember, SPT1 vampire plugs may not work very well with SPT2 wire, due to SPT2 thicker insulation, and in my opinion, the longer teeth on SPT2 rated vampires can creat a unsfe sitiuation if used on SPT1 wire.In the interest of safety, please be sure the vampires you are using are correct for the wire you are using.(I know, wasn't the original question asked) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james campbell Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 (edited) The only difference between SPT 1 and 2 wire is the thickness of the insulation.Just remember, SPT1 vampire plugs may not work very well with SPT2 wire, due to SPT2 thicker insulation, and in my opinion, the longer teeth on SPT2 rated vampires can creat a unsfe sitiuation if used on SPT1 wire.In the interest of safety, please be sure the vampires you are using are correct for the wire you are using.(I know, wasn't the original question asked) thanks John I used 16 gauge last year and did not know that 18 gauge will also work,so yea hats gets confusing.I knew the insulation was thinner on spt-1 but with the lighter wire and thin insulation man it looks tiny Edited September 9, 2012 by james campbell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Regardless of the guage of the wire, SPT1 does look thinner then SPT2, because the insulation is thinner.and the best thing about SPT1 in my opinion is it weighs a whole lot less Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Regardless of the guage of the wire, SPT1 does look thinner then SPT2, because the insulation is thinner.and the best thing about SPT1 in my opinion is it weighs a whole lot less And cost a lot less as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 And cost a lot less as well.Amen ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james campbell Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 (edited) thats why I am looking at it ,last year I got lucky and found spt-2 16 gauge wire,got 500 foot for 35 bucks,not so much this year. now I am more informed ans know that I need the the right spt size as well as the gauge size for my plug ends Edited September 9, 2012 by james campbell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanclus Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Just ordered 2000' of spr-1 and a ton of plugs ... tks for the info .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imawlkr2 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Bought 1000' of SPT-2 and plugs. Hope to have less orange running thru the yard. Wife was insistent on using outdoor extension cords for everything the last couple years. Glad I was able to change her mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torqumada286 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Does this require any soldering to connect the plugs to the wires?Torqumada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrison0550 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Does this require any soldering to connect the plugs to the wires?TorqumadaNope they have 2 sharp teeth "vampire plugs" in the plug that punchers the wire to make the connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torqumada286 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 I may have to look at this, then. I had planned on posting a question about spt wire. Is it just a preference to use one over the other, or is there a situation where one should be used over the other?Torqumada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james campbell Posted September 18, 2012 Author Share Posted September 18, 2012 spt wire is a great way to make extension cords,it will handle 8 to 10 amps depending on the length, no real advantage of one versus the next,as stated before the 18 gauge spt 1 is cheaper and lighter.I did learn alot from this,I always thought spt wire was 16 gauge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOR Staff Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 In the words of Mike: You can never be too good looking, or have too large a conductor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hey James,If you are using the 18 ga wire for individual channels. Then remember this. If you have the heavy duty heat sink. The Triac is rated for only 8 amps. So, as long as you do not exceed the rating of the Triac, the 18 ga wire will handle the current. I have a few hundred feet of 16 ga wire to run the main power daisy chain beween controllers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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