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Siren/PA speaker wire - anything good out there?
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:27 pm
by apco25
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?
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:41 pm
by KG6EAQ
Any reason you can't use some exterior audio cable for home theater systems? Pretty thick gauge and shielding.
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:46 pm
by fire-medic8104
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
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:54 pm
by jim
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.
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:54 pm
by apco25
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
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:40 am
by jim
Never heard of Waytek Wire.....got my catalog coming!
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 9:17 am
by fire-medic8104
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:03 pm
by motorolamonster911
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
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:33 pm
by KitN1MCC
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
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 3:53 pm
by fire-medic8104
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:17 pm
by ROSDJS
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
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:26 am
by motorolamonster911
fire-medic8104 , thanks for the links, found and ordered!
Nick
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:45 am
by fire-medic8104
No problem!
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:47 pm
by techie
the links are currently broken... looks like they did a software upgrade, and forgot to reconfigure it when they were finished..