Skip to main content
Topic: Using a manual transmission with handcontrols (Read 20077 times) previous topic - next topic

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #75
I thought about the "travel" issue after my last post.
 
So, no matter what I do with the combination of M/C and S/C, in order to keep the same clutch movement and pedal movement, the force to press the clutch will be the same?
 
I diffinently need a power adder!

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #76
Quote from: thundergrowl
I thought about the "travel" issue after my last post.
 
So, no matter what I do with the combination of M/C and S/C, in order to keep the same clutch movement and pedal movement, the force to press the clutch will be the same?
 
I diffinently need a power adder!


Yup... You are gonna need a vac or hydraulic booster of some type..

 

New Idea

Reply #77
I got a "somewhat" new idea last night. I'm no masterblaster when it comes to diagrams but see the attached.
  • Remove the hydraulic line at the slave and extended it to a 2nd slave.
  • Used the 2nd slave to push in the brake master cylinder.
  • Tee together the two brake lines from the master and take them back to the slave on the clutch.
  • An electric vacuum pump supplies vacuum to the booster.
When I'm driving the car, I turn on the vacuum pump and have a power assisted clutch so I can use the hand clutch. When an Able Body (AB) wants to drive the car, power off the vacuum pump and they will have a "normal" clutch.
 
There are a couple small problems/unknowns that I may have to experiment with like; are the slave and brake master a 1:1 relationship or will I have to put some kind of lever system between them; how much vacuum will the pump have to pull to get the required force on the clutch lever.
 
EDIT: could I hook up another clutch master to the booster and disgard the brake master? If I could then I wouldn't have to worry about ratios

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #78
I picked up a slave cylinder this morning. $62 for it new. If I don't go snowmobiling this weekend, and it looks like I won't since the forecast is calling for +8 and rain for Saturday, I'll get the slave connected to the brake master.

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #79
why would you need an electric vacum pump? why not just tap onto another one? dont the t/c's have the same setup for vacum?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #80
Quote from: Haystack
why would you need an electric vacum pump?

The idea for the electric vacuum pump is so I have control over the vacuum. I can adjust the vacuum pressure by adjusting the voltage to the pump to give a lighter or heavier clutch feal or I could turn it off when someone who has the use of their legs wants to drive the car.
 
I probably will use the vacuum from the cruise control for testing purposes.

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #81
Don't forget that shifting under boost could be a problem without a pump, too - even if you have a reservoir you'd probably use up the reserve with one or two applications.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #82
I tackled the handcontrols again last night and made a couple small tweeks. I adjusted a couple levers and pivot points, I hooked up the trottle cable, and connected the clutch cable. 

With that done I managed to pull the clutch lever with one hand, start the car and moved it forward about a foot using the handcontrols. I know that's not a BIG accomplishment, but it was the first time I moved the car. 

These handcontrols will work but it will take a little more trial and error and a little bit more money...but IT WILL WORK. :) Then I'll focus on the power assist.

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #83
That is awsome dude!  It is a BIG accomplishment!
One 88

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #84
Thanks Claude!

Here are a couple pictures of the handcontrols as they are right now.


The clutch cable is connected by the bolt on the right, the lever pivots on the bolt to the left and the rod is connected to the clutch pedal through 2 snowmobile tierod ends.


Here is tha master cylinder and clutch slave I'm going to be using for the power assist.


Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #85
Dude, i have to give you major props.

Im downright sick of people who are disabled bitching and complaining about "i cant do this", "i cant do that", when it takes a little extra effort.

You have my respect for taking it into your own hands, and doing something about it.
It's Gumby's fault.

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #86
Quote from: Tbird232ci
taking it into your own hands, and doing something about it.

I do that a lot :rollin: :rollin:

Thanks!

EDIT: About 10 years ago I came up with this idea...



That idea was born out of frustration trying to get the stepson to clear the driveway. I got an award for that...along with building a fence around the backyard and chopping my own firewood. Actually, that award was for the positive image I was conveying to my neighbours. One of my neighbours was so impressed he contacted the CPA.


Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #87
That's awesome, my hat is off to you.
:headbang:

and to think sometimes I wanna give up on an idea because of my ankle, or at least put it off for a while...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #88
Hmm, I see.  If you move the fulcrum(sp?) you will gain mechanical advatage  but you will have about twice the needed travel of the cable.
One 88

Using a manual transmission with handcontrols

Reply #89
Quote from: CougarSE
Hmm, I see.  If you move the fulcrum(sp?) you will gain mechanical advatage  but you will have about twice the needed travel of the cable.


That's right! There is 1" of travel on the cable and the pedal needs to go down 6". The clutch lever moves 3" so the overall effect is I have to pull twice the force with my hand than I would have to use to push in the pedal. 45lb through 6" for the pedal and 90lb through 3" for the lever. Taking into account any losses in the lever system, such as friction and bending, means that the number is closer to 100lb.

I picked up a flaring tool last night to start on the hydraulic lines. All I need now is some fittings, tubing, and a tube bender.

The next step is to connect the three lines together from the brake master cylinder and connect them to the slave. Then I will see how far I will have to push in the master plunger to get the slave to move through it's full travel of 0.5".

With that information I can figure out any leverage mechinism that may be needed to connect the first slave to the brake master. I wouldn't be luck enough for it to be a 1:1 relation :( What I mean by that is full travel on the master will result in full travel on the slave.