Electric accelerator pedal?

ttrstudios · January 16, 2015, 02:52:03 PM

Hi guys. Looking at doing something different with the accelerator on the bus. I'm not liking the cable at all. Pedal is stiffer than I like. Don't want to run air throttle because I run a manual tranny. So the big question is has anyone thought of it is using electric accelerator pedal assembly with a 12v servo at the throttle? I run a trucking company and all of our trucks run (computer controlled of course) this type of set up. The fail safe on those trucks are set to no throttle in case something went haywire. Just wondering if this is do-able or even possible without being computer controlled. Any thoughts?

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Tikvah · January 16, 2015, 02:54:13 PM

Just curious, why not air throttle?

We installed one this year. . . best upgrade we've ever done with our bus.

ttrstudios · January 16, 2015, 02:59:37 PM

According to research on line and in this forum, it's hard to shift a manual transmission because of the lag of the throttle.

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ttrstudios · January 16, 2015, 03:00:04 PM

Using an air throttle that is.

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chessie4905 · January 16, 2015, 03:34:22 PM

What vehicle are we talking about? Manual cable throttles work pretty good on coaches and reliable for tens of millions of miles. Cleaned and lubricated with a cable in good condition, even the pedal pressure is reasonable.

ttrstudios · January 16, 2015, 03:42:46 PM

1980 Eagle model 10 and your right. They do work well with the exception of the stiff pedal even with a new cable. I'm used to ounces of pedal tension in these trucks we have and it would be nice to have that in the bus.
Main question was is anyone using this or is it even available in a kit or package deal? It's a relatively simple idea theoretically. All you need is a wired transmitter which would be on the electric pedal, (just like in all newer vehicles now days) and a receiver wired to a heavy duty 12v servo.

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Jeremy · January 16, 2015, 05:20:13 PM

Just did some Googling out of passing interest; I haven't looked in detail at it but Lokar appear have a product intended for hot rods that is a 'stand-alone' system (ie, a complete system in itself, not one that plugs into an existing fly-by-wire ECU).

Their system is intended for petrol engines as you'd expect, but their photos show two versions - a throttle body with the servo integrated into it, and one which still uses a cable linkage - the latter of these could perhaps be used on a diesel engine? Worth investigating anyway.

Jeremy

bevans6 · January 17, 2015, 07:52:47 AM

I seem to recall that when I looked at a few MC-9's with S50 engines, which are electronic engines, the throttle control was electronic with a servo on the engine.

Brian

TomC · January 17, 2015, 08:42:36 AM

I wouldn't switch a mechanical linkage to electrical. I would change it to air throttle. Even if you have a manual transmission, the air throttle delay can be gotton used to. I have air throttle, and while it has a fraction of a second delay, (I have automatic) I could get used to it with air throttle. Air is so reliable, it is the way most commercial boats are shifted and throttled. Good Luck, TomC

Oonrahnjay · January 17, 2015, 09:30:23 AM

Quote from: TomC on January 17, 2015, 08:42:36 AMI wouldn't switch a mechanical linkage to electrical. I would change it to air throttle. Even if you have a manual transmission, the air throttle delay can be gotton used to. I have air throttle, and while it has a fraction of a second delay, (I have automatic) I could get used to it with air throttle. Air is so reliable, it is the way most commercial boats are shifted and throttled. Good Luck, TomC

I bought a scrap Gillig bus with a Cummins ISC and Allison B400R. The engine and transmission will go in my bus and I'll use the stock wiring harness and electrically-sensed accelerator. But if I didn't have those parts from the donor bus, I'd use an air assembly.

OneLapper · January 17, 2015, 07:16:24 PM

I have an air throttle with a manual Spicer. I don't notice any delay and have no issues "blipping" the throttle to rev match. These things aren't race cars. Besides, 98% you're cruising in down the road and that's when the air throttle is fantastic. Without doubt the best upgrade for the money.

ttrstudios · January 18, 2015, 05:09:00 AM

Where is the best place to find an air throttle kit?

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LuckyChow · January 18, 2015, 07:08:35 AM

The local Trailways affiliate in my area ran a half dozen 4905's with air throttle and stick shift for years. This was back in the 80's. I never heard any of the drivers complain.

buswarrior · January 18, 2015, 07:52:15 AM

Air throttle is only a problem when it has not been maintained, or the aftermarket install has been poorly designed.

If the air does not respond directly with the movement of your foot, something is obstructed or otherwise not letting the air come off. Usually the issue is with release, as it exhausts to atmosphere, applying has tank pressure behind it...

Go for an air throttle, if you have given up on the stock install.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

belfert · January 19, 2015, 06:00:24 AM

Quote from: bevans6 on January 17, 2015, 07:52:47 AM
I seem to recall that when I looked at a few MC-9's with S50 engines, which are electronic engines, the throttle control was electronic with a servo on the engine.

On a Series 50 and a Series 60 engine the DDEC (ECU) controls the throttle. The pedal essentially just sends a signal to the DDEC telling the DDEC how much fuel to supply to the engine.