[cgallery]

Any particularly good ways for wiring stepper motors that come with four rather short (maybe 12") leads? I need to add approx. 3' to 4' (what is the max, anyhow?) to get to my controller enclosure. Are there any inexpensive local sources for good cable for this? I have Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, and Radio Shack nearby. It would be nice to have a method of disconnection between the motor's leads and the cable I'm adding. But I'd also like to keep costs down if possible.

I do a lot of RJ45 network cabling for work, so I have all that type of gear available to me.

[nlancaster]

I know that HomeDepot now sells Shielded 4 strand wire.

Southwire 18-4 Shielded Red FPLR Alarm (By-the-Foot)-56913599 at The Home Depot

$0.46 per foot.

If you go to Homedepot be sure to get stranded wire. I can't tell if that link is stranded or solid wire.

[elfrench]

Home Depot sells 18-4 shielded wire that may work for you: Southwire 18-4 Shielded Red FPLR Alarm (By-the-Foot)-56913599 at The Home Depot. If you do a search on this forum, you can find links to ebay sellers with better quality cables.

[ger21]

You MUST use stranded wire, or it'll break. The HD wire in the links above is solid, which won't tolerate the back and forth bending.

You don't need shielded wire for your steppers.
I'm using unshielded 4 conductor 22gauge stranded on my machine, and it's been running for over 5 years now with no issues.
If you pay the $6 shipping, I'll send you 20-30ft. I have a few hundred feet that I'll never use. PM me if you want it.

Your best bet for adding to the original wires would be to mount terminal strips near the motors, and make the connections there.

[cgallery]

You MUST use stranded wire, or it'll break. The HD wire in the links above is solid, which won't tolerate the back and forth bending.

You don't need shielded wire for your steppers.
I'm using unshielded 4 conductor 22gauge stranded on my machine, and it's been running for over 5 years now with no issues.
If you pay the $6 shipping, I'll send you 20-30ft. I have a few hundred feet that I'll never use. PM me if you want it.

Your best bet for adding to the original wires would be to mount terminal strips near the motors, and make the connections there.

Thanks for the offer. I haven't sourced my new motors yet, I was looking for an awesome deal on some used motors but may just order from Xylotex and get the cables included.

My current wires aren't shielded so I didn't think that was necessary. I would just reuse my current wires, but they have a special plug on the end that matches the existing motors, so I figured I'd include those on eBay so the next guy has everything he needs to reused them.

The thought of mounting terminal strips near the motors occurred to me, I really like that idea from a flexibility and solidity (is that a word?) perspective. My unit requires spaces between the motors and the frame, so I thought of cutting some new spacers that extended to one side and adding a terminal strip. I may still do that. If I don't just order motors with wires already done-up.

Thanks for the offer on the wire, I'm sure I can find something local, though.

Just for the record, what is safe on stepper wire cable length?

[ger21]

20-30ft should be no problem.