Making a Cruise Control

Tikvah · April 19, 2016, 04:32:55 PM

I have an air throttle.

Years ago I sat in on a discussion about cruise controls. They were building them using an old car-type cruise, and making some modifications. In the end, the problem was usually the hard pull of the cable. Some had some luck using the air throttle.

I don't remember any details. Does anybody have instructions on building a cruise control?
I'm too cheap (or broke) to buy a real cruise for a thousand bucks.

Bill Gerrie · April 19, 2016, 06:37:43 PM

For many years I used a car type of cruise control. I had it pull on the accelerator pedal as I had an air throttle so easy to pull. The speed sensing was by several magnets attached to the front brake drum. It worked really well. I have a DDEC engine now so it is built into the computer.

David Anderson · April 19, 2016, 06:43:19 PM

I have this.

http://www.rostra.com/universal-aftermarket-cruise-control-by-rostra.php

http://www.amazon.com/Rostra-Universal-Electronic-Control-250-1223/dp/B007ZCQD9S

It has worked well for me on my Eagle for 15 years. I hooked the servo line to the back of my gas pedal, so the servo is mounted just behind the eagle emblem behind my front bumper. I put the magnet on the drive shaft.

David

ArtGill · April 19, 2016, 06:49:37 PM

I've been testing an electronic throttle control. It doesn't control the speed, but sets the throttle. Like using a stick on the throttle.
I have a relay that switches the throttle input from the rheostat/variable resistor to an manually adjusted rheostat on the dash. I have manual engage and manual disengage buttons. Also application of the brakes will disengage the relay and return the control to the pedal. This works OK on flat lands but not so in rolling hills. This only works on electronic engines. I have a DDEC II.

I don't think this is what you are looking for, but here it is.

Art

kyle4501 · April 19, 2016, 07:43:41 PM

Quote from: Tikvah on April 19, 2016, 04:32:55 PM
I'm too cheap (or broke) to buy a real cruise for a thousand bucks.

For what it's worth, King Cruise control for a bus conversion is $595 online.

Scott & Heather · April 19, 2016, 08:39:51 PM

Art, if you have DDEC II why aren't you using the built in cruise control?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chessie4905 · April 20, 2016, 03:58:31 AM

One of the members on the Bus Nut site used to sell the Rostra unit for our coaches. Many used it with satisfactory results. Unit is very adaptable. I've even used one on my Burgman maxi scooter. You want the electronic version, not the vacuum one, which I used. I think the vacuum type is Audivox, which appears to be made by same company. The units come with a variety of adapter components to adapt to just about any type of throttle setup. They also have dip switches for tailoring unit to your specific application. Connect actuator to throttle up front. Otherwise, you'll have to run wire clear to the back. If these are still too much money, you are in the wrong hobby.
http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/19574.html?1197427379

You can go to the busnutonline site...go to archives and then do a search for cruise control. Everything you need to know.

Tikvah · April 20, 2016, 07:07:24 AM

This is all really helpful information. I'll purchase the Rostra and probably from Pete.
I didn't realize the king cruise could be bought for only six hundred bucks, I thought I heard 1000 - 1200.
Please, as a general rule, don't ever tell anyone

QuoteIf these are still too much money, you are in the wrong hobby.

I'm sure you meant no harm, but for some of us this isn't a hobby, it's a way of life. My bus is my home not my project, and like many homeowners, we don't always have enough money to do everything we want. I have to hire heavy mechanics and some bus friends critize that. But we don't all have the same talents or abilities. I'm proud of my bus, but, no, I can't afford some of the things I want.

Dave

luvrbus · April 20, 2016, 07:18:23 AM

Dave,one good thing about a King is the fast idle option when I install Jakes the combo fast idle buffer switch is so expensive I just buy the King if people want the fast idle and a cruise control fwiw.The King usually cost me a little over 500 bucks with shipping.
It's a catch 22 on a 6v92 they work ok on flat level ground and I have mix feeling about the cost vs the benefit you know sorta like the Jakes

lostagain · April 20, 2016, 07:38:54 AM

My bus has the old Bendix air operated cruise. I love it. Yea it works best on the flats and moderate hills, depending on how much power your engine has. When I see a bigger hill ahead, I turn it off before I start climbing, and resume on the other side. But there are a lot of flat miles where the cruise is nice to have.

JC

HB of CJ · April 20, 2016, 08:56:53 AM

Rumor had it that 45 years ago folks just pulled out the hand throttle and let the engine float against the governor. Seemed to work OK. Of course falling asleep at the wheel was not advised.

Oonrahnjay · April 20, 2016, 11:35:06 AM

Quote from: HB of CJ on April 20, 2016, 08:56:53 AMRumor had it that 45 years ago folks just pulled out the hand throttle and let the engine float against the governor. Seemed to work OK. Of course falling asleep at the wheel was not advised.

About 45 years ago, a friend of mine installed a cruise control that he bought from JC Whitney on his Winnebego. Worked like a charm as long as he owned the vehicle.

TomC · April 20, 2016, 11:37:05 AM

I also have an air throttle working a mechanical 8V-71 with V730. Since the V730 has an air operated throttle modulator, I used the King Cruise Control and mounted it on the right side of the dash. Then ran the pull cable down through the floor back up to under the gas pedal. I made a metal plate extension on the gas pedal with a hole big enough where the cable could slide when I'm using the pedal with my foot. Then when cruise is wanted, it just pulls down on the gas pedal. It is very accurate at speed control-although a bit of surging on down hills. Also since it is operating the gas pedal, it will also activate the Jake brake if you have it on. Has fast idle. I had to install a speedometer sensor on the transmission. This is a through drive. You pull out the speedometer sensor, install the King Cruise speed sensor then re mount the speedometer sensor on top of the King Cruise. I had already run 5-3wire extension cords from the engine compartment to the driver's seat, so I just used two of those wires. Also, since I had LED brake lights, there was not enough resistance on the bulbs for the King Cruise to pick up the signal. Installing a 100ohm resistor from the brake light switch (under the dash) to the ground did the trick. I like the King Cruise so much, I will be installing one in my truck conversion. Spend the money on a professionally made commercial grade cruise control like the King Cruise. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · April 20, 2016, 11:42:14 AM

The old DD have a limiting speed governor if they had a variable speed governor you could just use a string the governor would hold the same rpm

chessie4905 · April 20, 2016, 04:59:32 PM

Maybe my comment was a little harsh.So.....let's just say that once you spend time and money to cobble something up, you could buy the Rostra unit and enjoy it now. Save money in cobbling up a nice air leveling system and also a mister system for those to es when it is getting too hot on a grade and you are temped to keep pushing it because the crest is ONLY two hundred more feet. Much cheaper than cracked heads. Btw, King cruise and Rosta are 12 volt so if you are 24 volts, you'll need to deal with that. Using just a choke cable is going need constant fiddling as engine temp changes unless you run against the governor. Rostra doesn't need a speedometer take off. You can set up a pickup off the front wheel and mount actuator an all necessary wiring up front.I have a King to install in my coach since I already had it. Otherwise, I would use a Rostra, especially since I've installed two of them with good as expected results.