Looking for a 12v vacuum pump to open and

close butterfly vavles. Needs to be realitively small, any ideas on what I can use? I was thinking cruise control vacuum or winshield washer pump, any help would be greatly appreciated.
:banghead: :wink:

close butterfly vavles. Needs to be realitively small, any ideas on what I can use? I was thinking cruise control vacuum or winshield washer pump, any help would be greatly appreciated.
:banghead: :wink:
Welcome to AF.

The items you indicate do not generate vacuum. Most gasoline engines produce vacuum in the intake manifold at light throttle use. Autos use such vacuum to operate a wide variety of devices, such as cruise control diaphragms, power brake boosters, ventilation valves, etc.

General Motors installed a 12 volt vacuum pump in their J-car models (ie: Chevy Cavalier or Pontiac J2000, with the 1.8 liter engine only) in the early 1980's. You may find such a motor at an auto parts retailer or through a GM dealer, or possibly an auto dismantling yard.

Also, I googled "12 volt electric vacuum pump" and came up with several vendors in about 5 seconds, some have on-line catalogs.

I also googled vacuum pumps and came up with a bunch but I'm looking for something used and inexpensive to test my theory. I wouldn't mind spending the additional money once I was sure this will function as I wish.
Thanks for the input :) The search continues :wink:
Welcome to AF.

The items you indicate do not generate vacuum. Most gasoline engines produce vacuum in the intake manifold at light throttle use. Autos use such vacuum to operate a wide variety of devices, such as cruise control diaphragms, power brake boosters, ventilation valves, etc.

General Motors installed a 12 volt vacuum pump in their J-car models (ie: Chevy Cavalier or Pontiac J2000, with the 1.8 liter engine only) in the early 1980's. You may find such a motor at an auto parts retailer or through a GM dealer, or possibly an auto dismantling yard.

Also, I googled "12 volt electric vacuum pump" and came up with several vendors in about 5 seconds, some have on-line catalogs.

Check out something in the scrap yard with a diesel. I think they all have vacuum pumps to run accessories.

Check out something in the scrap yard with a diesel. I think they all have vacuum pumps to run accessories. You forgot "older" after "something".....dont wanna be looking for a pump in something newer with the electric motor actuated stuff..:p

:lol: unless some mfg's still use vacuum, then its not as funny...:lol:

Check out something in the scrap yard with a diesel. I think they all have vacuum pumps to run accessories.

Most diesels that require vacuum have a pump either driven off the front accesssories or off the back of the alternator. I haven't found a diesel vehicle with an electric vacuum pump, but I haven't seen them all.

This maybe a tougher find then I was thinking... Again thank you everyone who has offered help.

You got me curious, what's you theory? I do understand if you don't want to share, I've got a couple of those in the works right now.

Is there a reason manifold vacuum won't work? It's incredibly cheap and doesn't take up much space :)

You got me curious, what's you theory? I do understand if you don't want to share, I've got a couple of those in the works right now.

Is there a reason manifold vacuum won't work? It's incredibly cheap and doesn't take up much space :)

It's not a secert. I added an exhaust system to my car that works off the cars vacuum system to control the flaps inisde. Being this isn't the exhaust that came with my car I don't have the vacuum running to the back of my car. I know I could probably run the vacuum back there but if I can find a 12v vacuum source I would be able to control flaps with the flip of a switch. I'm trying to find a fairly small unit for easy mounting and hiding. Any input? :)

i assume the switch being made is to open the exhaust for more power at WOT.
it might be easier to use a solenoid actuated by the throttle position sensors voltage.

i assume the switch being made is to open the exhaust for more power at WOT.
it might be easier to use a solenoid actuated by the throttle position sensors voltage.

Actually its just the oppersite, the exhaust is wide open already I want to have the abilility to close the valves which will cut 2 of the 4 pipes out and the 2 its closing are straight pipes leaving the 2 that remain open baffled. Reason for this is 1 when starting the car in the early morning it will quiet it by nearly 50% pleasing my neighbors and when I want to a bit more quiet I have control. I don't know if a solenoid would be easier, but I prefer to have the valve work off a switch. :)

I didn't know that most vac. pumps are belt driven, but the 12v pump for the air ride on my '83 Toronado is hooked to the cruise diaphragm. It may not be a vacuum pump, but it has to be pulling some kind of vacuum.

"Actually its just the oppersite, the exhaust is wide open already I want to have the abilility to close the valves which will cut 2 of the 4 pipes out and the 2 its closing are straight pipes leaving the 2 that remain open baffled. Reason for this is 1 when starting the car in the early morning it will quiet it by nearly 50% pleasing my neighbors and when I want to a bit more quiet I have control. I don't know if a solenoid would be easier, but I prefer to have the valve work off a switch. :smile:"

A solenoid can be controlled from a switch. Its probably easier to find a solenoid to control the valve than it would be to find a 12v pump.

There are a few thousand solenoid cutout valves for exhausts on the market. I think it might be easier to install one of those to select which path the exhaust takes.