Spiral Cable source?

[Al_The_Man]

Anyone know of a source of spiral cord?
I am having a problem finding a source of multi-conductor spiral cord in N. America.
I had previously bought from Sumtak, but they appear to have pulled out of N.A.
and downsized their product line.
This is 18 to 20 conductor 20~28g. For portable Pulse Wheel Generator box applications.
There appears to be a few sources in Europe.
Al.

[widgitmaster]

Hi Al,
Have you searched the Thomas Registers?
Eric

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by widgitmaster Hi Al, Have you searched the Thomas Registers? Eric

Yes, I could not find any there either.
Al.

[greybeard]

Al - you don't say what sort of lengths you need, but for myself, and for only a few yards, I wrap it round a broom handle and into the oven set at the lowest - about 100 degrees centigrade - for about ten minutes. Then out, under the cold tap, and I have permanently set coil. Has worked for a variety of flexible wire types.

John

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by greybeard Has worked for a variety of flexible wire types. John

What manuf. part numbers/type have you had the best results with?
These are typically 12ft extended.
Al.

[greybeard]

Al - I hope we are not at cross purposes here. My background is plastics, so if I want to re-form any piece of cable into an extendable spiral coil, like a phone cord, I do as above, whatever the wire format is. Obviously it works easier with multi strand copper. Single strand has a mind of its own.
Any terminations already on the end of the cable aren't a problem, as although they may have a thermoplastic cover, the actual terminal block is a thermoset plastic, and will be unaffected at this temperature.

If you let the temerature climb to anything over 130/150 degrees centigrade, there will be the possibility of the plastic sheathing of the wire melting, with dire results, but at 100, it will only soften, and the cold water will then "reset" the plastic memory.

I hope that's a help as I can't be specific about the type of cable. I just do it, and if it doesn't seem to have worked too well, I then rewind it round a smaller diameter wooden dowel (I avoid metal rod/tube) and try leaving it in the oven for a little longer. It does need to be in the water afterwards for a few minutes to get the plastic down to room temperature.

[Al_The_Man]

If your method works out it will be a much cheaper alternative, I will have to experiment.
Thanks
Al.