Power Chord Strain Relief w/ 16 AWG Cord?

[ioplex]

I'm doing a build with one of these plastic wedge style power cord strain reliefs:



Unfortunately it seems the power cord supplied with the kit is 16 AWG and I can't make it fit. Is a 16 AWG cord really necessary? This is only for an 18 watt amp. I suppose I'll just need to go to harbor freight and get a cheapo 18 AWG cord?

Mike

[punkykatt]

I just take my Dremel tool grinder and inlarge the ID opening of the strain relief bushing (both halves)until the cord fits nicely. Dont take off too much or the bushing will pull out of the chassis.

[Ed_Chambley]

Heat the wire as it will become soft and much easier to install.

[Willabe]

Heat the wire as it will become soft and much easier to install.

Yep. Hair dryer.


            Brad     

[eleventeen]

"I'll just need to go to harbor freight and get a cheapo 18 AWG cord?"

You can't tell me that you don't have an extra computer cord (or four) that you can chop the female end off one of them? 

[ioplex]

The problem wasn't so much the gauge of the wire but the thickness of the jacket. The cord supplied is 0.33" thick.

Anyway, I just ended up cannibalizing a computer cord. It's 18 AWG with a 0.25" jacket. With a little pounding with the butt end of a big screw driver it went in just fine.

I wouldn't want such a heavy cord on a small amp anyway.

Thanks,
Mike