Siren/PA speaker wire - anything good out there?

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:27 pm

I'm looking for dual conductor cable preferable jacketed for automotive use that is appropriate for a siren/pa speaker.

Zip cord speaker wire just doesn't seem to be right.

Anything better?

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:41 pm

Any reason you can't use some exterior audio cable for home theater systems? Pretty thick gauge and shielding.

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:46 pm

I use a dual conductor 16 ga. (stranded) red & black wire from Ram Products who is a local supplier. I am pretty sure they are a nation wide company because some of the products they make. I will try to find a website for them. It is a good wire for small chargers also.

I was able to get a 1,000ft roll and it lasts for a long time. They also make smaller rolls.

Waytek also makes the same thing, the only thing I don't like about it is they only make red & brown, not red & black.

They are located at http://www.waytekwire.com

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:54 pm

I use "plenum rated" 18-2 or 16-2. It has a tough jacket and is much easier to fish than the red/black "zip" cable or regualr speaker cable.

Parts Express #100-710 to #100-742

If you are doing something that is very critical (such as a new fire engine or such) or something that needs to be SAE, you can use trailer brake cable.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:54 pm

Yep exactly what I am trying to do - avoid the zip cord junk. I forgot to look at waytek wire... they have good stuff.

Found what I need at parts express. Already ordered.

Thanks guys

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:40 am

Never heard of Waytek Wire.....got my catalog coming!

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 9:17 am

They've got some pretty good stuff Jim. I looked into it and some of their prices beat Tessco. They also carry alot of installation stuff that Tessco don't carry. You can make water proof connectors that are exactly like the GM underhood plugs. I was pricing it last night and they carry the parts to make the quick connect battery boosters that have the plug that goes in the grill like in the Gall's catalog.

You could make them yourself and get customs lengths and still save $20.

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:03 pm

Sweet, I just went to their site and went wild...My cart is full with 1000 items (various connectors) and my price is only $30.00

I'm looking for fuse block taps, but cant find any on their site.

Nick

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:33 pm

i have not done many Sirens. but i have done a few Pa/Air horns. and i just used 3 conducter strobe cable.

black and white speaker

red for horn ring

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:53 pm

mini fuse taps
http://order.waytekwire.com/CGI-BIN/LAN ... 11+M36+ENG

atc blade fuse holders
http://order.waytekwire.com/CGI-BIN/LAN ... 11+M36+ENG

glass fuse holders
http://order.waytekwire.com/CGI-BIN/LAN ... 11+M36+ENG

They are listed under fuses.

They also have one thing I haven't seen in a while. The high amp (150amp) flat fuses and holders. I love those things for high amp applications on a fire truck where a circuit breaker is not feasible.

ROSDJS · Post by **ROSDJS** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:17 pm

I would use a heavy guage speaker cable. Horizon Lifeline is great stuff, bit on the expensive side, but well worth the money. It's got an extra twisted pair so that if something happens you've got a backup in the same cable.

Matt

motorolamonster911 · Post by **motorolamonster911** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:26 am

fire-medic8104 , thanks for the links, found and ordered!

Nick

fire-medic8104 · Post by **fire-medic8104** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:45 am

No problem!

techie · Post by **techie** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:47 pm

the links are currently broken... looks like they did a software upgrade, and forgot to reconfigure it when they were finished..