Rodney
03-05-2009, 12:21 AM
Finished!
I started off configuring my real throttle using the existing pulleys and added cable, pots and springs. I need about 5 inches of throw, and the springs gave me too much resistance. So the better option would be to buy already made string pots. After a quick scan for costs I couldn't part with the money for them, $170 USD each. Best option was to build my own. There were many design hurdles to manage. Pot shaft size, spring size, string material, etc. I tackled each problem with a cup of coffee and some serious thought. My goal was to build something that would withstand the movement and a secondary goal of using what I had to keep the cost down. While its not pretty, it certainly is very functional and durable. And at about $65 USD I feel real good about them. I was concerned about the size needed to get the job and not using "string" but metal. I found key reel that fit the build at Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96589 To mount the pot to the key reel I found some sliding screen door rollers that were from many yeas ago project. They had a 1/4 inch bushing and the roller mounted sideways to the key reel almost perfectly. I had some 1/8" aluminum sheet that I used for the base and brackets. Once mounted in the throttle bottom, all three needed to be aligned with the cables running over the front pulleys before final tightening. No binding is a good thing. They are wired and I foresee no reason that they won't work just fine. Now onto some other small wiring on the throttle and a coat of paint. It is a module that can easily be removed for any type maintenance.
I started off configuring my real throttle using the existing pulleys and added cable, pots and springs. I need about 5 inches of throw, and the springs gave me too much resistance. So the better option would be to buy already made string pots. After a quick scan for costs I couldn't part with the money for them, $170 USD each. Best option was to build my own. There were many design hurdles to manage. Pot shaft size, spring size, string material, etc. I tackled each problem with a cup of coffee and some serious thought. My goal was to build something that would withstand the movement and a secondary goal of using what I had to keep the cost down. While its not pretty, it certainly is very functional and durable. And at about $65 USD I feel real good about them. I was concerned about the size needed to get the job and not using "string" but metal. I found key reel that fit the build at Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96589 To mount the pot to the key reel I found some sliding screen door rollers that were from many yeas ago project. They had a 1/4 inch bushing and the roller mounted sideways to the key reel almost perfectly. I had some 1/8" aluminum sheet that I used for the base and brackets. Once mounted in the throttle bottom, all three needed to be aligned with the cables running over the front pulleys before final tightening. No binding is a good thing. They are wired and I foresee no reason that they won't work just fine. Now onto some other small wiring on the throttle and a coat of paint. It is a module that can easily be removed for any type maintenance.