Overview
The Etronix 16AWG Silicone Wire Red (100cm) is an essential component for any RC enthusiast building or maintaining their RC car, truck, or buggy setup. Whether you're a seasoned competitor running high-performance RC vehicles or a weekend basher enjoying off-road RC fun, quality wiring is fundamental to reliable power delivery and safe electrical connections. This 16AWG silicone wire from Etronix delivers the performance and flexibility you need for professional-grade RC builds across the UK and beyond.
Silicone wire has become the standard choice for modern RC builds because it remains flexible in cold conditions, resists heat from high-current applications, and provides superior durability compared to PVC-insulated alternatives. The 16AWG gauge strikes an excellent balance, suitable for moderate to high-current applications in electric RC vehicles without being unnecessarily thick or difficult to work with. Available in vibrant red colour for easy circuit identification, this 100cm length gives you plenty of wire to work with for most RC electrical installations, whether you're soldering connectors, building battery harnesses, or extending servo leads and sensor connections.
At just £1.75 (£1.46 ex VAT), the Etronix 16AWG Silicone Wire Red represents outstanding value for money and demonstrates why Etronix products remain trusted by RC builders throughout the UK. From ready-to-run RC cars to competition-grade builds, this wire is a staple component in toolboxes and workbenches everywhere.
Key Features
- 16AWG Gauge Size — The 16AWG specification delivers an ideal current-carrying capacity for most standard RC applications, making it perfect for main power runs, battery connections, and ESC wiring without excessive thickness that would complicate your build layout.
- Silicone Insulation — Silicone insulation provides superior flexibility even at low temperatures, ensuring the wire remains pliable during winter RC racing and cold-weather bashing, whilst maintaining excellent heat resistance when current draws create thermal stress in the insulation.
- 100cm Length — This generous 100-centimetre length provides enough wire to complete most electrical installations, including battery harnesses, ESC connections, motor leads, and sensor wiring, with enough leftover for future modifications or alternative routing configurations.
- Vibrant Red Colour — The distinctive red colour coding makes it immediately recognisable as positive power in your RC builds, improving safety and reducing the risk of incorrect polarity connections during assembly or troubleshooting.
- Multi-Core Construction — The multi-core cable design provides maximum flexibility compared to solid-core alternatives, allowing you to route wiring neatly around tight spaces in your RC chassis without kinking or breaking internal strands.
- Professional Grade Quality — Etronix is a recognised manufacturer of RC electrical components, and this silicone wire meets the quality standards expected by competitive RC builders and professional technicians throughout the UK.
Technical Performance
The Etronix 16AWG Silicone Wire Red (100cm) is engineered for demanding RC applications where reliability and performance matter. Silicone insulation outperforms standard PVC in nearly every respect — it maintains flexibility across a wider temperature range, from freezing outdoor winter RC racing conditions to the heat generated by high-current power delivery. The 16AWG gauge provides an excellent current-carrying capacity suitable for main power circuits in 2S and 3S LiPo-powered RC cars, buggies, and trucks, as well as 4S systems with moderate discharge rates. The multi-core construction ensures this wire can be bent repeatedly without fatigue failure, essential during chassis assembly, ESC mounting, and motor lead routing. Each strand in the multi-core design contributes to overall conductivity whilst maintaining the flexibility that makes silicone wire the preferred choice for modern RC building. Whether you're constructing custom battery harnesses with 4mm or 5mm gold connectors, extending motor leads on brushless RC vehicles, or routing power to receiver battery modules and servo extensions, this silicone wire delivers the performance characteristics you need for a reliable, safe, and professional-looking RC installation.
What's in the Box
- Etronix 16AWG Silicone Multi-Core Cable in Red — 100cm length
What You Need to Complete
- Soldering iron and solder for joining connectors and other wire components (available separately)
- Heatshrink tubing to insulate and protect solder joints (available separately)
- Appropriate connectors for your specific RC application — such as 4mm or 5mm gold connectors, XT60 plugs, Deans plugs, or EC3/EC5 connectors (available separately)
- Helping hands or soldering jig to hold components steady whilst soldering (available separately)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What gauge silicone wire do I need for my RC car or buggy setup? — Wire gauge selection depends on your current draw and wire length. The 16AWG specification works well for most standard RC cars and buggies powered by 2S or 3S LiPo batteries with moderate to high discharge rates. For higher-current applications or longer cable runs, consider 14AWG (thicker). For lower-current applications like servo extensions or sensor leads, 18AWG or 20AWG (thinner) options may be suitable. Visit RC Model Shop in Walsall or contact our team for personalised recommendations based on your specific RC setup.
- Can I use this silicone wire with high-current LiPo batteries? — Yes, 16AWG silicone wire is suitable for high-current applications including main battery discharge lines, ESC input connections, and parallel battery harnesses in typical RC cars and buggies. However, for extremely high-current applications (such as 4S racing with extremely high discharge-rate batteries), you may need thicker 12AWG or 14AWG wire. Our experienced team at RC Model Shop can advise on the correct wire gauge for your specific RC vehicle and battery combination.
- Is silicone wire better than PVC-insulated wire for RC? — Silicone wire is widely considered superior to PVC insulation in RC applications because it maintains flexibility at cold temperatures, resists heat more effectively, and withstands repeated bending without cracking. PVC becomes brittle in cold conditions and can harden near high-current heat sources, making it less reliable for critical power circuits. Professional RC builders throughout the UK prefer silicone wire for safety, longevity, and ease of installation.
- How do I solder connectors onto silicone wire correctly? — Tin each wire end with a small amount of solder first, then solder the connector onto the tinned wire using adequate heat from your soldering iron (typically 40W or higher for 16AWG). Heatshrink tubing should be slid onto the wire before soldering and slipped over the joint afterward, then shrunk with gentle heat (a heat gun or lighter, not your soldering iron). The silicone insulation withstands soldering heat well, but avoid prolonged overheating which can damage the insulation. Helping hands or a soldering jig make this process much easier and safer.
- What is the difference between 16AWG, 14AWG, and 12AWG wire? — The gauge numbers refer to wire thickness — lower numbers are thicker. 12AWG is thicker than 14AWG, which is thicker than 16AWG. Thicker wire (lower gauge) carries more current with less voltage drop, making it ideal for high-current applications and longer cable runs. Thinner wire (higher gauge) is more flexible and easier to route but carries less current and creates more voltage drop. For most standard RC cars and buggies, 16AWG and 14AWG are the most common choices, with 12AWG reserved for very high-current racing setups.
- How long should my battery harness be? — Battery harnesses should be as short as practical to minimise voltage drop and weight. This 100cm length allows you to create a battery harness with some excess length for routing flexibility and future modifications. After soldering connectors and installing heatshrink, you'll typically cut the wire to the length you actually need. The generous 100cm length ensures you won't run short if you need to route around obstacles or extend the lead slightly.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Etronix 16AWG Silicone Wire Red (100cm) ET0674R today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Wire Gauge: 16AWG
- Wire Type: Silicone Multi-Core Cable
- Colour: Red
- Length: 100cm
- Insulation Material: Silicone
- Construction: Multi-core stranded
- Brand: Etronix
- Model Number: ET0674R
- Suitable for: RC cars, buggies, trucks, and other electric RC vehicles
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
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