Hi Steve ~ The fabric-inulated "litz" wire that 1920s radio loudspeakers used would likely be the best choice, if the electrical load from the solenoid isn't too much for it. Given that if it's working right the load is strictly momentary, I think it would probably be fine. Headphone or radio speaker litz wire did in fact have to handle a much higher voltage than the 1.5 of the Duncan stop (or 3 volts if two batteries were used), but the current draw was considerably less from the electromagnetic phone driver units than it would be from the Edison's solenoid.
Litz wire, which has a metallic conductor that's in the form of extraordinary thin tinsel interwoven with cotton inside the fabric insulation (not as stout as similar gauge conventional stranded wire), does however have certain challenges at the terminations. You can't solder directly to it in the usual way. If you go with this option (reproduction should be available from places like Antique Electronic Supply in Tempe, AZ), you can call me for a quick lesson on how to terminate the ends so you can solder to them. It would be helpful to this lesson if someone can provide a clear, close-up photo of the end of an original wire on a Duncan stop, liberated from the tail end of a DD reproducer -- I seem to recall a small set screw there to retain the end (?), which would have to be loosened, and the wire drawn out. This will tell me if they used a small cap like a miniature version of a pin plug from that era's radio headphones, or formed the conductor in some other way. An alternative, but it wouldn't have the litz wire's limp characteristic, would be the #20 cloth-covered wire (conventional stranded conductors) from Antique Electronic Supply. Their part number S-W708L-25 (yellow) or S-W710L-25 (brown) would probably be the closest cosmetically. These cost 6.95 plus shipping for a 25' spool. Regards, Andy Baron Santa Fe On Aug 1, 2014, at 7:48 PM, Antique Phonograph List wrote: > Someone has a Duncan stop with the wiring missing. What gauge should be used > and is there a place that has the fabric covered wire and the pin that plugs > into the hinge block cap? > > Radio horn wiring looks very similar to me. > > Thanks, > > Steve > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.org > _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
