Aftermarket Cruise Control

[LaneLester]

Originally Posted by homeworkhome53

It works, but I would prefer a CC. Like you say it slows going up hill and speeds up going down hill.
homeworkhome53

But isn't that what we hypermilers want?

I'm going to think about some kind of mechanical throttle control like you have. I'd like it to be adjustable and, very important, easily cancelled.

Lane

[ajax_6531]

Originally Posted by Unklecueball

Back in the 70's I remember my Dad hooking up a "cruise control" to our 1976 Chevy Suburban with a gas guzzling 454 ci engine in it. It was actually a throttle control that locked the gas pedal in place. From what I remember it was a box mounted to the underside of the dash that had a cable that attached to the underside of the gas pedal. When you reached the speed you wanted to "cruise" at you simply locked the pedal in at that position. Problem was you want faster down hill and slower uphill. From what I have read on here that would be perfect for increasing FE as real cruise control would work the throttle to keep your speed constant. Any ideas? Has anyone seen a cruise unit like this anywhere? I would be interested in one for my Aveo.

They put a throttle lock on military HMMW-Vs (Hummers) for the high idle needed for some of the crap they put on the back of them. Its a cable with a twist lock. It doesn't cut off with brakes and you can't pull it back far enough to get much good speed out of it. Google search push-pull lock cable or some variation of throttle cable BS. Depending on how you rig it, it should work out better for you.

[LaneLester]

Originally Posted by ajax_6531

Google search push-pull lock cable or some variation of throttle cable BS. Depending on how you rig it, it should work out better for you.

http://www.jegs.com/ is the only place I saw that looks promising. They have a lot of doodads that have possibilities, but I'm going to have to study my accelator setup to see if I can make something that will work... and hopefully not get me killed.

Lane

[dremd]

According to my dad his K-car wagon had a similar throttle lock. Claims it was factory.

[elhigh]

I installed a CC on my old Caravan before it ingested its brain, it worked fine and did a lot for my highway fuel mileage.

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by LaneLester

http://www.jegs.com/ is the only place I saw that looks promising. They have a lot of doodads that have possibilities, but I'm going to have to study my accelator setup to see if I can make something that will work... and hopefully not get me killed.

Lane

Here are a couple of options. Here's a hand throttle for a Jeep:

http://www.redrock4x4.com/shop/products/263.html

And for you shade tree engineers, a home made unit:

http://7slotgrille.com/tech/handthrottle/index.html

[Who]

http://www.rostra.com/cruise-control.htm

The gain (sensitivity) on these units is adjustable - set it really low and you'd have an ideal CC for fuel economy when you need it.

[Unklecueball]

Originally Posted by homeworkhome53

Ok, I will admit that I have a piece of 3/4" dowel about 20" long with a wire hose clamped to it so that when against the pedal and the wire stuck under the edge of the dash it will give 47 mph on the long flat stretch that I have to drive every day. I found the correct adjustment through trial and error. It works, but I would prefer a CC. Like you say it slows going up hill and speeds up going down hill.
homeworkhome53

Anyway you can post a pic? Seeing that I also have an Aveo I am curious what your setup looks like. As a side note, is 47MPH your "sweet spot" for best mpg? I have knocked it down to 65 on the freeway with 50psi on the tires and am on the first full tank with both of those. Hoping to crack that 40 MPG barrier for the first time!

[homeworkhome53]

47 mph is my sweet spot although less is better. 47 is acceptable to get me to work in a reasonable time. I drive half rural roads, half state highway. 47 is for the state highway, the rural road are 30-35 mph. With all the deer we have here it's more that mpg I'm after, already got one deer this year and most morning I have to break for deer. I see 10-30+ a day. My cruise stick is very low tech but it works. The top of the stick come right by the ignition key. A slight tap and it comes off or tap it with your toe. It's not for heavy traffic but that is not my problem.

homeworkhome53

[desotojohn]

The thought of a stick for a throttle control makes me cringe. It sounds unsafe to me. Don't you really want a system that will optimize engine vacuum for the perticular driving conditions (hills, coasting, speed, gearing, etc)?