I recently built an 8x8x8 Arduino based LED cube which works well from the programming point of view but I would like to improve it to make it more mechanically stable as it consists of 512 LEDs (what fun that was)
In order to do this I intended to solder stiff wires about 8 inches (20 cm) long to each layer of LEDs beyond what is actually required electrically but I cannot track down suitable wire. My original thought was to use piano (music) wire but this is very difficult to solder successfully no matter how much it is cleaned and whatever normal electrical flux is used and I cannot use aggressive flux due to the nature of what I am soldering as I cannot clean it off easily. Wire intended for use in jewellery making also seems to be very difficult to solder successfully unless the surface plating is removed to reveal the copper core.
In order to match the rest of the cube connections, which are made using the LED leads suitably bent and shaped I would rather not use copper wire due to its colour. So, has anyone got any suggestions for the type of wire that could be used. It needs to be about 0.5 to 1.0 mm in diameter, very much like the leads of a 3mm LED, or could be flat. The wire does not have to be straight as I can straighten 8 inch lengths fairly easily, nor does it need to be excessively stiff as the distance between adjacent LEDs is only about an inch (25mm) or so. The main requirement is that the wire should be easy to solder, again like the leads of the LEDs
I find it strange to be replying to a moderator in this regard, but we do not use bare copper wire in electronics because it oxidises and is difficult to solder; we always use tinned copper wire.
Similarly with PCBs where you actually specify ENIG or similar when ordering.
Who you talking to Paul__B?
"Tinned solid copper wire with an annealed temper, used in a variety of applications. Generally used to provide a solid connection between points with the option to tie various circuits to the common buss."
I hope you're not referring to me, as I know what I'm talking about.
Bus wire and Buss wire are both readily found on the internet, referring to the same thing.
Copper wire is easy to “work harden”. Put one end in a vise and pull on the opposite end with flat jawed pliers, elongating a percent or two to make nice straight wire for projects were the wire is prominently visible.
Paul__B:
I find it strange to be replying to a moderator in this regard, but we do not use bare copper wire in electronics because it oxidises and is difficult to solder; we always use tinned copper wire.
I too do not know which of us you are addressing but being a mod does not imply that we know everything (or anything for that matter), hence my original question.
Once a solution has been offered it was obvious, but had not previously occurred to me even though I was aware of tinned copper wire. One problem was that I had previously been focused on using piano (music) wire and when that proved unsuitable I still had my blinkers on
WattsThat:
Copper wire is easy to “work harden”. Put one end in a vise and pull on the opposite end with flat jawed pliers, elongating a percent or two to make nice straight wire for projects were the wire is prominently visible.
I have previously enhanced the straightening effect by using a cordless drill at one end of a length of wire and gently twisting it whilst pulling so will try this with the tinned copper wire
