hand throttle with "cruise/lock" 96 civic
 

First off, this mod is a bit of a copy of redneck's mod (he used a bike brake handle) - check it out here:http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...yle-26101.html

I really like the simplicity and execution, but I wanted to be able to hold a throttle position on the highway and get sick mpg's!

Donkeycrx's setup is freakin' art and bulletproof, but the same thing, no cruise:confused:

Here's my take on the "hand throttle mod"

I found this throttle control kit at farm and fleet for about $11:D ARNOLD P/N: 490-230-0001
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b407ec1.jpg


the pink circle is the part I modified and cut apart to make my "cable holder".
The one on the left is my hand throttle (had to adjust the tightness at the center bolt for my"cruise")
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps938981aa.png


Started out at the pedal just like redneck (ignore the factory cruise bronze looking deal) the business is at the top.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c16eac7.jpg


drilled a hole in the pedal (still no different)
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps87e46444.jpg



This is where I went off on my own..
Got a shifter cable for a bike (with nubs on both ends) and cut it to approximate length. I didn't like the solid cable that came with the kit, because it would resist me over-riding by pushing the throttle with my foot.

I put heat-shrink tubing (my 2 smallest sizes-double encasing the cable to prevent fraying) over the cable at the end where it would go thru the gas pedal, and a single layer over the cut end (so it won't separate during install)
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7bdd587c.jpg


this is my "chopped and screwed" second throttle control that came in the kit - I'm only using it to hold the cable here - waste not want not. One screw in the factory hole for the lower console mount, one bolt thru the mount so it won't wiggle;)
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps677063e9.jpg


you can see here how a solid cable would be an issue if you needed to push the gas with your foot - the bike cable will just give and slack out of the way:
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psabccc228.jpg


and, finally, my hand throttle! (also bolted to the lower console)
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps64989dea.jpg
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pse514887f.jpg

thanks!
Victor.

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Looks good... :thumbup:

How do you like driving with it ?



>

This is awesome. I would love to make one of these for my insight, but other problems take precedence right now.

i had something similar setup on my VW Fox, about 9 years ago. was funny at the time because everyone that looked at it said it looked dangerous, but it worked. i will try to look for some pics.

thanks! haven't taken it out yet:( i'm helping a buddy with his jeep. I'll report back tomorrow, hopefully with good news!

Cool mod and great idea. Interested to see how it works in practice.

wow! this is freaking slick! I'm going to drive on it like this for a few days, but I'm already considering making an extension for the hand throttle handle! I really like this mod... I expect another mileage increase!!

Thanks guys, especially donkeycrx and redneck!

enjoy~
Victor.

SICK!!

Brilliant execution. Simple and straight to the point. Thanks for the pics.

Man, now I've got something else to do... Urg. Ha!

Looking forward to the extension. Keep us posted!

:thumbup::thumbup:

will do! good times! I'll put up my extension handle when it happens.. I'll keep my eyes open to see what you come up with:thumbup:

thanks,
victor.

That hot pink short shifter really sets everything off lol

Looks good but isn't it down a little far to grab. I think I would have to mount it up by the arm rest

Lol, looks a lot like the throttle on my Murray riding mower!

Wait, hmmmm . . . . . . .

"jdm pink" - it's all the rage in JAPAN:D:D Best price dual bend shifter - the black one was $5 more! I reallly do like how low it sits with the dual bend, and I actually bent it a little more (4dr's have a little less room to hit into 1st, 3rd, and 5th against the dash, I think) but it used to be an automatic, and that might have something to do with it as well.:confused:

As far as mounting it by the armrest, I basically use the shifter as my handrest, and the armrest as an elbowrest, so the hand throttle is in a good spot for me. I don't have to move my hand very far at all from the shifter to hit the throttle, and I don't have to let go of the shifter at all to hit my kill switch;)

Personal preference, I'm sure. like I noted earlier in this thread, I'm going to drive on it like this for a few days, and then decide if I'm going to extend the handle. If I do extend the handle, the whole assembly will probably get mounted a bit lower, and it may end up closer to the armrest - we'll see how it turns out-

thanks~
victor.

probably is:thumbup: better go make sure yours is still connected:eek:

Haha cool stuff.

This is on my to-do list as well.

:thumbup:

Cool. I always wanted to install a motorcycle throttle on the shifter, even before I knew about hypermiling so purely for the cool factor, and tighten it enough so it sticks. I think most cars have two cable mounts on their throttle bodies assuming you don't use cruise control.

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A hand throttle is superior to the foot pedal in my opinion because it uses a smaller muscle group and is more precise.

Personally, I want the throttle to return on it's own should a emergency arise. Also, I'm constantly adjusting the throttle (minutely) for the best setting according to traffic, grade and or wind conditions.


A "RONCO" style of "Set it and Forget it" way of controlling cruise is a non starter in my book...

>

Yeah ability to unstick throttle is nice. I used to drive 500 miles to San Diego with no cruise control...But a yard stick wedged perfectly between seat/center console! Way nicer than a cars CC. I could still hit the brakes, even pull out of 5th without clutch, with throttle on it's 10% load, but that was obviously not eco minded.

An idea occurred to me while I was in Lake Havasu with the family, a boat throttle with trim buttons would be beautiful to use! You would have the ability of a hand throttle that sticks by default, then you could program the trim up button for kill switch, then trim down for start switch. Not to mention it would look pretty cool if done right.

That would be cool as hell, Baltothewolf! Put one on! I wanna see!

or an old timey ship engine control that says "dead slow, slow, half, full" etc.

Victor,

I'm looking to do this mod to my '01 Insight (possibly '89 CRX too) vs. a vernier throttle. Do you have the part number or diameter specs for the bike cable? I know they come in different diameters.

Thanks,
Mak

I'm actually out of the country right now, but I got the whole kit at Farm and Fleet for about $15 if I remember correctly.
It's a throttle cable kit for a lawn mower. I thought I put a picture of it in that post.

Good luck!

How appropriate. This type of throttle is extremely unsafe and needs to release when you apply the brake or the car goes into neutral. I can see the insurance companies having a field day if you are involved in an accident with this fitted.

If you need finer control of the throttle, make a custom throttle cam that mimics the "eco" mode of the Toyota hybrids, reducing the throttle sensitivity at low openings.

Simon

You did include the part number, I was referring to the bontrager universal derailleur flexible cable. I ended up ordering a 1.3mm x 2000mm one, enough for two cars.

I understand the concerns for this type of mod. I'm in the camp that wants it solely for throttle lock for long distance, exclusively highway-only "dumb" cruise control. My version will incorporate worst case scenario tweaks such as a flexed open end (bent cable with no cap) that will hold tension but will unthread the drilled hole if yanked in an emergency. Also, my car is 5-speed so going into neutral cuts power and at an estimated 10-15% throttle needed for sustaining highway speeds there is little worry of hitting high RPMS. Finally, back when Toyota's infamous runaway Prius recall was taking place, a popular car magazine drove two cars to 60 mph (one an economy sedan, the other a Stage III Mustang IIRC) and simultaneously floored both the throttle and brakes. Neither car could overpower it's factory brakes and did come to a complete stop (albeit at a longer distance than normal). Point being, 100% > 15% throttle so there's little concern there. Finally, $16 mower mod vs. $3XX for aftermarket cruise control. We're a frugal group by nature. I'll report back in a few weeks once I install everything.

Mak