Question on constructing a vacuum canister

SilverBullet

SilverBullet

Harold Buckner
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
163
Location
Roanoke VA
Bike
ST1300
I was looking over different ways the vacuum canister is made. In Ray's instructions http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/05-16-05/ecc.htm he has the 1/8 barbs on both ends of the canister and some others made the vacuum canister with only one 1/8 barb on the top or bottom (or at leat I thought). Does it have to have two and I just saw it wrong?

Here is another good clear write up, but it is a Nomad. However I do like the canister he created.
(http://www.gadgetjq.com/electronic_cruise.htm) He has two on the top.



I am getting ready to construct one and I'm just trying to understand the differences.

Thanks
 
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It makes no difference at all.

Either two barbs with the canister in-line or one barb with a tee in the vacuum line.

Ray
 
Hi Harold,

Here's my version for my ST1100:



You can click on the pic if you like, but the caption reads:
"Composite shows the individual parts, and the assembled reservoir - short piece of 2" PVC pipe, 2 PVC couplers, 2 sets of PVC reducers, brass endcap, brass reducer, and 1/8" barb."

FWIW, YMMV...

Regards, John
 
The vacuum canister just provides a "fat" spot (think "pig thru the python") adding capacity to the hose between the vacuum source and the cruise actuator. Just make sure the one-way valve is up stream from the canister.

Another way to do it is just coil some extra hose into the the system. Easier to hide flex hose than rigid canisters.

My opinion,
 
Fireball said:
Why not just solder brass barbs to a soup can? It would be lighter than all that PVC and you could solder on mounting tabs too.
Click to expand...

Wish I had the picture...
Somebody did... and it collapsed that sucker into a little ball...
Funniest looking soup can you ever saw...
:D
 
one barb or two-it matters not. for myself i used a half liter, water bottle and bolted a single barb into the cap. a little silicon calk on the threads and screwed it onto the bottle. vou-la! about one quarter the weight of pvc
 
Was that a plastic half liter water bottle? Like you actually buy bottled water in? I'm surprised that's strong enough to withstand the vacuum?

You gave me an idea, though. I may look for an aluminum water / camp fuel bottle of the right size.
 
For what it's worth, I originally made a vacuum reservoir using a 3" PVC coupler with a PVC bushing glued into each end. Each PVC bushing had 1/2" a NPT hole in the center. I plugged one end with a 1/2" threaded male plug and screwed a brass 1/2" NPT x 1/4" hose barb fitting into the other. I then used a "T" to let it communicate with the vacuum line running between the servo and the vacuum source via a NAPA check valve. The CC worked fine except at high altitude where the bike would slowly loose speed on long inclines.

Later when I had trouble with MAP sensor codes and poor idling (apparently unrelated) I removed it to see if there was an effect on the poor idling (there wasn't). I did notice that when engaging the CC with no reservoir at all connected, the take up was so gentle that I could not tell if it had engaged until I released the throttle for a bit.

In the mean time I bought an AudioVox vacuum reservoir from a lister and installed it instead of reinstalling my home-made one. Wow, what a difference! On my trip to WeSTOC, the CC worked better than ever and maintained road speed even above 11K ft on steep grades. I could feel it pulling the throttle a lot harder. It also now engages much more positively, with an obvious surge, as well.

My 3" PVC coupler based design was about the same overall size as the AudioVox one but because of the way the couplers are pushed in, and the thicker wall section of the PVC material, it has significantly less internal volume than the molded, thinner walled AudioVox one. It was a lot heavier too. I have to conclude that for optimum performance, a minimum volume in the reservoir is needed.
 
Blue STreak said:
Jeff:

Where did you mount the Audiovox reservoir?
Click to expand...

Greetings:bow1:

Took me a while since I installed the Stebel Horn. in the suggested position. leaving almost no room on the bike for the canister

It was dificult finding a spot for the audiovox Canister!

I avoided all the hasel of making my own and,or not using one, The system works great with no issues. :)

You can use the left over braket to mount the canister. The way I did with a few xtra long bolts and nuts.

It is very tight and there is a littel rubbing, on the plastic when you go to button up. But works fine and no issues for over 2 years.

You will need to reroute a few wires and work around the cabel but it is possabel.

Also made my control bracket similar to this.

You can get the canister from JC Wittney or Murphs.

http://murpskits.com/catalog/advanc...cturers_id=&pfrom=&pto=&dfrom=&dto=&x=40&y=14

Take a look, Good Luck

Sir William
 

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no blue, maybe i should of been a bit clearer....i used a naglene drinking bottle...1/2liter. i actually found last fall at the state fair. cost....0$ it's mounted to the horazontal bar that supports the insterment panel on my 1100
 
Blue STreak said:
Jeff:

Where did you mount the Audiovox reservoir?
Click to expand...


Both the vacuum reservoir and the servo are mounted along the faring stay on the left side, forward of the left faring pocket. The photo below shows the home made reservoir in place but the audiovox one fit into the same space. I eliminated the "T" since the audiovox reservoir has two connectors. It also has an integral check valve but I left the NAPA one in place under the air cleaner as I didn't think there would be any issues with it remaining in place. So far everything is working really well.



Here's a shot looking directly upward at the installation:

 
Hmmm.... not factoring in the cost of shipping, the Audiovox reservoir probably costs less than all the stuff needed to put together my homemade PVC version, plus it has the vacuum check valve built-in. And it's lighter. If I had it to do again I'd probably get the Audiovox version.

edit: for those ST1100 riders reading this thread, here's my install pics with captions:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/553578014cCRzLj

John
 
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