Tech Tip: Transformer Wires Through Grommets

[Boots Deville]

As I was installing a few transformers last night, I used this tip, and thought I share...

When installing a transformer and running its many 16ga. wires through a small grommet hole, it really helps to put some baby (talcum) power on the wires.  They slide thru much easier without pulling the grommet out of the hole with them.

It makes your amp smell nice too! 

I picked this up working on motorcycles.  Running turn signal, starter wires, etc., thru the handlebars gives a much cleaner look, but fishing them thru the handlebars can be a chore.  A little baby powder goes a long way towards making this easier.

Hope this helps...

-John

[stratele52]

+1 Boots Deville

[LooseChange]

Great tip... Don't you hate it when the grommet pops out as you're pulling the wires through!!

[kagliostro]

It makes your amp smell nice too!

which can be a pleasant side effect 

K

[eleventeen]

I actually prefer to use a too-big grommet and use plastic tubing around the wires where they go through the grommet. The tubing can be outer insulation from some coax. I also save short pieces of Belden 8451 twinax and (I think the type number is) 8422 which is dual twinax, separate shields) for insulating splices. The 8451 works perfectly for insulating a splice and while it does not shrink like shrink wrap, depending of course upon the gauge of the wires you are splicing, makes a nice friction fit on two 20 gauge wires soldered together. I recently reworked a piece of gear where I had made a bunch of splices and just shoved 1" lengths of 8451 jacket over them. I made those in 1980, so that's 30+ years. Just to be clear, this is for low voltage, not B+ on a Twin Reverb.