16-AWG Flat Two-pair Black/Gray from PACER GROUP

Electrical and electronic topics for small boats
jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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16-AWG Flat Two-pair Black/Gray from PACER GROUP

Postby jimh » Tue Apr 07, 2020 8:49 am

Navigation lamp wiring is usually done with conductors with insulation colors BLACK and GRAY. A 16-AWG flat two-conductor or "ZIP Cord" type cable is sometimes used. A source of this cable has been found at PACER GROUP. See

https://www.pacergroup.net/16-gauge-zip-cord/

They offer 25-foot lengths for $6.25. Their product code is WB16BK-GY

Tom Hemphill
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Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:04 pm

Re: 16-AWG Flat Two-pair Black/Gray from PACER GROUP

Postby Tom Hemphill » Wed Apr 15, 2020 6:32 pm

According to the provided link, that cable is "constructed from annealed bare copper wire." Through experience, I have found when boating in salt water that tinned copper conductors are essential for this application.

jimh
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Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: 16-AWG Flat Two-pair Black/Gray from PACER GROUP

Postby jimh » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:10 am

TOM--you make a good point. Tinned and multi-strand wire with a high strand count is preferred for marine use. If you find any in the BLACK/GRAY color code, please follow-up with the source.

Use of bare copper conductors can be mitigated by tinning the ends where connections are made with solder. Also, many electrical cables made for use underground (and thus in wet environments) use bare copper wire.

Next time I have my 1990 Boston Whaler boat available, I will look at their black/gray cable to see if it was made with tinned conductors.