good source for wire

[jk0529]

Planning to create a new wiring harness for my new to me, but old, 18ft boat. Any good sources to buy marine grade wire and connectors at reasonable prices?

[lazeyjack]

Dunno, but you need tinned, untinned will quickly corrode way up in the sheathing, esp in small boat, leading to big voltage drops when current is drawn

[marshmat]

Not sure what you have in NY. I often find around here that the electrical / electronics trade warehouses frequently have stuff suitable for marine use at a fraction of what the chandlers charge. Trouble is, they're generally in unmarked warehouses in the middle of the industrial district, and have only a plain-text line in the yellow pages. You're probably looking for tinned, stranded copper wire with insulation in suitable colours and thermal ratings; many of these "trade-only" places can sell you suitable materials if you can find the place. How to find them? Friends who are electricians; computer geeks who are short on cash; anyone with a passion for robotics.