Wire Question

[cpsmusic]

Hi Folks,

I'm just finishing up my first project - a ChunkChunk. Overall it went pretty well and I learnt a few things along the way. By mistake I ordered the wrong type of pot (they had lugs instead of pins) so I had to attach them to the PCB using wire which brings me to my question. Initially, I thought it would be better to use reasonably stiff wire with a single strand (?) however this proved to be a problem because once soldered it wouldn't bend. I then tried thinner stranded wire but I found that when I tried to poke it through the PCB's holes individual strands would bend sideways which ain't good. I then tried tinning the wire first but it tended to make the wire too thick and almost impossible to get through the holes.

So I was wondering if people have any recommendations for which type of wire to use for the various types of connections (component-to-PCB, offboard, etc.).

Cheers,

Chris

[alanp]

For general purpose, Smallbear's #24 Prebonded is the shit.

For buss wiring and converting pot lugs to pcb mount, Smallbear's buss wire is hard to beat. "Bare Tinned #22."

Shipping is very bad, though, so I ordered three spools of #24 and a few metres of the buss wire.

[jubal81]

For general purpose, Smallbear's #24 Prebonded is the shit.

For buss wiring and converting pot lugs to pcb mount, Smallbear's buss wire is hard to beat. "Bare Tinned #22."

Shipping is very bad, though, so I ordered three spools of #24 and a few metres of the buss wire.

Seconded. This is exactly what I do these days.

[copachino]

For general purpose, Smallbear's #24 Prebonded is the shit.

For buss wiring and converting pot lugs to pcb mount, Smallbear's buss wire is hard to beat. "Bare Tinned #22."

Shipping is very bad, though, so I ordered three spools of #24 and a few metres of the buss wire.

Seconded. This is exactly what I do these days.

i think the same, i use 22 prebonded, and man that so so good, and so so so cheap also

[cpsmusic]

Thanks! The pre-bonded wire sounds like what I need.

[lincolnic]

Just wanted to jump in here and say that if tinning a wire is making it too big to fit through a PCB pad, then you're likely using way too much solder. You want to just coat the wire, not have a big blob of solder on it. While this may not be a problem all the time, it could be something to watch out for in your future builds if it's endemic to your technique -- too much solder can lead to cold joints, solder bridges, and all sorts of other fun problems.

The good news is that as you build more, you'll start to learn what the "right" amount of solder looks/feels like. Keep at it!

[bordonbert]

Driving off at a tangent...

If your PCB is home made I would drill your wiring holes, (not your component holes), a tiny bit bigger.  A little makes a lot of difference.  That's pretty standard and a set of PCB drills is cheap.  A slightly loose fit is not a problem as long as you follow Lincolnic's advice and improve your soldering technique.  If they are bought ready made then get your hands on a cheap little round rat's tail file, couple of pounds/dollars for a complete set on fleabay.  That way you can gently relieve the holes by manually using it like a little drill.  The wire will slip in easily then.

Like I said, a tangent.  As a self-confessed pedantic old fart, during your builds it's really helpful to try to get a handle on a little bit of theory.  Keep on questioning everything and do your best to understand the answers you get.  There are too many ridiculous myths out there started by people who know a little and think its a lot.  Don't become one of them.

Good luck!

[strat68]

GuitarPCB sells wire that will solve your problems as well.