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Navships wire -- how good is it?

Dec 26, 2007 at 10:15 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16
slowpogo

slowpogo

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The navships SPC wire from ebay is all the rage around here. I've ordered some, and as far as looks and feel go it seems like perfectly decent wire.

But why is it so popular? Is it just your basic adequate teflon wire that is readily available and inexpensive, or is it actually good wire?

I ask because I've never seen any statements about its purity, or any "specs," other than "military spec" which I know nothing about.
 
Dec 26, 2007 at 10:47 PM Post #2 of 16
There's nothing special about the wire, he just happens to have decent prices if you're buying in very small quantities and is easier for an individual to order from than your typical wire & cable vendor.
 
Dec 26, 2007 at 11:11 PM Post #3 of 16
There are a lot of military wire specifications. People who say "mil spec" should be able to tell you which spec they're meeting.

But usually what they're referring to is a spec that defines a relatively high dielectric strength as well as a relatively high resistance to heat, moisture, chemicals, and abrasion. Which usually ends up meaning hard PTFE.

The irony is that we like the wire because the silver plating decreases the resistance for AC signals, and the PTFE insulation doesn't melt under a soldering iron, and has excellent dielectric strength. For me it's mostly that i don't have to smell burning PVC or deal with wire that's melted right out of the insulation.

But it turns out that the silver is there for the sake of the teflon, not the other way around. PTFE is typically extruded very hot - at temperatures where it's quite reactive. Some of the fluoride from the PTFE reacts with some of the metal on the wire. Copper fluoride and stannous fluoride are bad juju, and can form bubbles in the insulation. Silver fluoride isn't bad at all, and isn't gaseous.


Basic adequate PTFE-insulated wire *is* good wire.
 
Dec 27, 2007 at 9:30 AM Post #4 of 16
I've been looking around for some wire, but can't seem to find this person on ebay. can someone point me in the right direction please?
 
Dec 27, 2007 at 9:48 AM Post #6 of 16
Dec 28, 2007 at 6:17 PM Post #8 of 16
The insulation is varied - he has many choices that are quite flexible and relatively thin. Then there are others that are not. The key with John's Silver Teflon Wire Shop is to check the O.D. on the wire gauge you're interested in and compare to the others he has. That will tell you how thick/stiff the insulation will be.

Anyway - I like his stuff and highly recommend it. There are several forum users who've used it for interconnects and headphone re-cabling ... besides the obvious use as good hookup wire. I use the 22ga almost exclusively (for hookup) - but only the ones that have the thinner, more flexible insulation.
 
Dec 28, 2007 at 6:55 PM Post #9 of 16
Slowpogo: If memory serves me correctly, NAVSHIPS is a US Navy NAVySHIPSpec. I worked on Navy Ordinance, hence NAVORDS, and consulted their manuals constantly. Also worked on NAVSHIPSCOM.

There are a ton of MIL acronyms. Google 'em if you dare.

If the wire is MILSPEC to NAVSHIPS, it should be some decent stuff. In the end, your ears are the final judge.
 
Dec 30, 2007 at 12:33 PM Post #10 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by SoFlaChris /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Slowpogo: If memory serves me correctly, NAVSHIPS is a US Navy NAVySHIPSpec. I worked on Navy Ordinance, hence NAVORDS, and consulted their manuals constantly. Also worked on NAVSHIPSCOM.

There are a ton of MIL acronyms. Google 'em if you dare.

If the wire is MILSPEC to NAVSHIPS, it should be some decent stuff. In the end, your ears are the final judge.


Harr ! NAVSHIPS be the name of the company, and they be sellin' Mil Surplus wire, Most be the heat and abrasion resistant teflon stuff and with that bein' the case, naturaly the scurvy stuff be silver plated high purity copper. Dealin's with 'em in the past be cause to be very pleased. A package from them be as rewarding as a tankard of Rum and a Wench on the lap. (Insert Pirate Icon)

Note:being from Tampa Bay, every year we have a major Pirate celebration, it rubs off on us ex sailors.
Very high quality wire and the non Kapton stuff is usually pretty flexible.
 
Dec 30, 2007 at 1:47 PM Post #11 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by Negatron /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Harr ! NAVSHIPS be the name of the company, and they be sellin' Mil Surplus wire, Most be the heat and abrasion resistant teflon stuff and with that bein' the case, naturaly the scurvy stuff be silver plated high purity copper. Dealin's with 'em in the past be cause to be very pleased. A package from them be as rewarding as a tankard of Rum and a Wench on the lap. (Insert Pirate Icon)

Note:being from Tampa Bay, every year we have a major Pirate celebration, it rubs off on us ex sailors.
Very high quality wire and the non Kapton stuff is usually pretty flexible.


hahah man i don't know why but i'm in stitches
 
Dec 30, 2007 at 2:14 PM Post #12 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif
hahah man i don't know why but i'm in stitches


That's probably because you folks from Down Under are as Serious and Proper as we Stuffy and prim Floridians.
biggrin.gif


(I do get a bit 'punchy' after a 24 hour session, maybe I need sleep? Nah!)
 
Jan 20, 2008 at 9:07 PM Post #14 of 16
Im looking to got some wire from John, it is really well priced. However, is it hard to get the teflon off? From the pics it looks quite moulded around the strands of wire. Will standard wire strippers work?
 
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