feersum dreadnot Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I am in the midst of building out a home theatre room, and just ordered my boxes of stuff from Parts Express. I thought I had gotten a box of 500' of 12 gauge wire, but must have fumble fingered and ended up with 1,000' of 16 gauge. they ended up about the same cost, and I don't have time to ship it back - sheet-rockers coming in next week. I searched back posts, and seem to see a lot of folks think 16 gauge is just fine. It is a lot thinner than the current heavy monster cable I have going to my fortes, but my longest wire run will be ~ 18'. Wanted to "gauge" opinions - should I go find 12 gauge wire this weekend, or just use the box of 16 I have in hand? (then try to sell/credit the rest to my builder, who may have a use for 600' of 16 gauge) thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwoods Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Hi, I'd go to RS or HD and get only what you need in 14 guage. Return the excessive, over abundance and why-did-you-get-so-much-anyways?, spool to PE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I wired my house with AQ 14/4. Twisted 2 conductors together at each speaker plate. Should anything happen to 1 wire, I've still got a run of 14ga. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yesfan70 Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I might be wrong, but I'm thinking you will be alright if your longest run is 18ft. I think the max feet for 16awg is 25ft or 50ft. Can't remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capo72 Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 If you really want the 12ga. Home Depot or Lowes will have it. I bought a 250 ft. spool of 12ga. at Lowes for $50. I really like it too. It appears to be decent wire. Then just send back your 16ga. later. You know if you don't put the 12 in, it will always bother you. Good luck with your project. I just got done pulling about 1/2 mile of wire in my basement. I did lots of "just incase" wiring. Jeremy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Agree with the general sentiment above. Get heavier wire, as this is a permanent build. Do it right the first time (or if you want to look at it this way, "just to be sure/feel better about it"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 i run doubled 16 AWG ... did you by chance order the PE special in 16# 4 conductor..??? personally ... i wouldnt worry at all .. use it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvette6769 Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I have a great chart for wire gauge, but how do I copy and paste it here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvette6769 Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Well it took me a half hour, but her you go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 The chart above is a good one but should be used with the minimum impedance of the speaker. As long as the 16 awg is rated for in wall use, I would use doubled runs to each speaker. This can be tricky due to crossed wires and the difficulty reading which wire is which unless clearly marked by the manufacturer. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriven Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I have been using the HD 12 gauge stuff for years and like it. If you have the $50 go get it and do the job right! If the money is an issue then the 16 will probably work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I'm the guy who thinks heavy wire is a waste and creates connection problems. But, but, but. You will never sleep well unless you get the heavy stuff. So do it. In this case, peace of mind is cheap. Smile, Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriven Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Gil, 12 gauge may be overkill - At $5 a foot this is a waste! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Let's see. A 50 cent roll of pennies is about 3 inches. We could solder them together to get a conductor which costs $2 per foot. Maybe that is a benchmark. Smile. Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scriven Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Gil, That is hilarious! With that much soldering involved we may have to up the baseline cost a bit to include the solder! (Or should we crimp them? - wait, wrong thread!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I'm the guy who thinks heavy wire is a waste and creates connection problems. No you're not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrot Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 ---------------- On 5/21/2005 5:07:58 PM William F. Gil McDermott wrote: A 50 cent roll of pennies is about 3 inches. We could solder them together to get a conductor which costs $2 per foot. ---------------- LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Put the pennies in a garden hose with nitrogen at 4 psi absolute so ambient pressure forces them together with no corrosion. I'll draw up the patent application. Smile, Gil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 It's interesting to note that EV recommended, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Use No. 22 or larger wire to connect the T350 Lamp or zip cord is perfectly satisfactory for the application. http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=65865&sessionID={29CC66B4-DD8D-41CB-937A-C597DF3B8ACA} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwoods Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 ---------------- On 5/22/2005 6:32:23 AM DizRotus wrote: It's interesting to note that EV recommended, <?xml:namespace prefix = o /> Use No. 22 or larger wire to connect the T350 Lamp or zip cord is perfectly satisfactory for the application. http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=65865&sessionID={29CC66B4-DD8D-41CB-937A-C597DF3B8ACA} ---------------- On a further note, that may also be interesting, is the EV T350 is only a tweeter(3500 kHz up). The key words here, are "or larger". In a bi-amped, or for that matter bi-wired configuration of shorter runs, it may be suitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.