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Old 05-26-2015, 03:23 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: May 2015
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How to get cruise control.....???

So going into this Build

One of the Essential things I will need is Cruise Control.

Doing 12-14k miles a Month, I am NOT going to want to hang on that right pedal all day and nite.....

HAs Anyone Installed an After market unit that works on a Pusher system..?

I am looking at some Decent Dash Mounted Universals On fleabay right now, just to see , but I doubt anything has iring for 50-60 ft of harness.....lol

Thanks For input,
John.

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Old 05-26-2015, 04:34 PM   #2
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Yowsers.. 12000-14000 miles a month? Are you circumnavigating the globe in this thing?
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Old 05-26-2015, 06:03 PM   #3
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I researched it a fair bit but then ended up with an electronic engine with cruise control built into its ECM. The biggest factor seemed to be is the throttle position communicated back to the engine via compressed air, mechanical cable, or electronic signal? As I recall I nearly bought a Rostra cruise control kit and pricing was in the neighborhood of US$150.
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Old 05-26-2015, 07:01 PM   #4
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I'm thinking of installing a hand throttle to supplement the foot pedal.
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Old 05-26-2015, 10:01 PM   #5
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My thoughts on a cruise is a universal unit which only needs a speed signal,
brake light signal and rpm signal. These can all be gotten from the instrument
cluster if you have a tachometer and electronic speedometer. I would then hook
the actuator cable to the accelerator pedal in a separate attachment so it only
runs the pedal when activated. All done up front without any long runs of wires.
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Old 05-27-2015, 12:32 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonpop View Post
My thoughts on a cruise is a universal unit which only needs a speed signal,
brake light signal and rpm signal. These can all be gotten from the instrument
cluster if you have a tachometer and electronic speedometer. I would then hook
the actuator cable to the accelerator pedal in a separate attachment so it only
runs the pedal when activated. All done up front without any long runs of wires.
This. ^^

All you need to do for a poor mans cruse control on a rear engine bus is a way to hold the gas peddle in position.

That could be a piece of threaded rod on a hinge with a fat wing nut on it, or a push pull cable attached to the gas peddle, ect.

I like the hinge idea because it could be rigged to kick off when the brake or clutch peddle are pressed.

For the record, my 96 all mechanical 8.3 Cummins rear engine bus has a air operated cruse control.

Nat
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Old 05-27-2015, 02:07 PM   #7
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Depending upon which sort of throttle linkage you have I have found a five pound brick works pretty well. Seriously.

If you have a mechanical engine with an air throttle it is going to be very hard to put any sort of cruise control on your engine.

If you have a mechancial engine with a very long mechanical throttle cable any sort of cruise control that uses a cable will work. It will just take some adaptation to get everything wired up. That is unless it uses vacuum to operate the control unit. Most full sized diesel buses have no vaccum sources.

If you have an electronically controlled engine it will be a simple thing to take it to the dealer and have that part of the system enabled and switches installed.

Good luck.
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Old 05-27-2015, 02:18 PM   #8
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I have a 1997 Thomas with 8.3 Cummins And I am thinking Air throttle....I looked and I have no Wire or Cable at the Pedal, only what looks to be an Air Button / piston..?

This is all new mechanics 101 for me, so I am learning as I go, and Dive into things....

nat_star..... I sent you a pm....I would Love to see pics of your Cruise control parts.... The Fact that you have it, means worst case, I can Buy it new...Or find it Used in a Yard....

Thanks For all the input guys

John.
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Old 05-27-2015, 02:47 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by family wagon View Post
I researched it a fair bit but then ended up with an electronic engine with cruise control built into its ECM. The biggest factor seemed to be is the throttle position communicated back to the engine via compressed air, mechanical cable, or electronic signal? As I recall I nearly bought a Rostra cruise control kit and pricing was in the neighborhood of US$150.
Rostra cruise control kit

Great website for lots of other things too
Thanks!
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Old 05-27-2015, 03:12 PM   #10
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I just found these guys...They Were THE Cruise Unit builder back in 1993-1999

Right before everyone went Electro everything...

Still in Biz....Complete Cruise unit for these Buses is 595.00

Not too bad, and Comes with everything....

Unless I can Find a Complete unit in a JY bus somewhere close that is still fully functional, I may go this route....It is Clean and Simple.

mechanical diesel engine cruise controls and parts

Still want input....

John.
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Old 05-27-2015, 04:12 PM   #11
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I was thinking frugal (cheap) would be a Rostra unit at $199.00 and add a tab on the tip of the throttle pedal with a hole in it for the cruise cable to go up thru and pull down on the pedal when in use and free float when not in use. looks like the rostra uses a electrical actuator to pull the cable and maintain speed.
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