Confused about Nichrome wire

[awilson]

Hello,

I just ordered some Nichrome 0.30 wire to rebuild some protank coils - preferably at around the 1.8 ohm mark. The problem is that when I use the coil calculator at steam-engine.org there are various types of N numbers associated with the Nichrome wires. On the site I ordered from there is no reference to an N number, just basic information 'Nichrome 0.30 10meter Wire'

So, is there a standard? Which option should I choose in the calculator?

Thanks for any advise - Andrew

 

[CurlyxCracker]

There's no way to be certain but nichrome 80 is the most common.
Also if you you'd like to build that high of resistance, kanthal would be a better choice here, nichrome has a lower resistance than kanthal of same gauge

 

[awilson]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately Nichrome was all I could get. So, using the calculator I would need 10 wraps on a 2mm coil? Seems like a
lot for a protank rebuild?

 

[DED420]

Odds are it's N80, it's the most common. Nichrome has a lower resistance than Kanthal does, therefore you'll need more wraps and a larger ID to achieve higher ohms, and 1.8ohms is going to be difficult to achieve. The "30" is the gauge, and it's a finer gauge of wire, often used for making Claptons. For what you're trying to achieve, you'll probably have to get your hands on some Kanthal, either that or lower your desired ohms.