Sim Racing Hydraulic Pedals and Fluid

[fasttracksims]

This is likely the wrong thread for this question but here goes.

This is a question about hydraulic racing pedals and master cylinders in basically a closed loop system used for computer simulator racing.

We have the pedals developed using off the shelf parts and guys are using regular brake fluid.

There is no need for brake fluid as of course there is not heat generation.

I asked a racing brake company about this and they said they tested the master cylinders with water and they functioned as normal.

We need a replacement fluid for this setup...vegetable oil or something that if it gets spilled in the house it will not cause a problem like brake fluid.

Anybody help us with this?

mark

 

[Rand]

the seals are all likely designed for brake fluid which is a glycol. I'd stay with brake fluid.

Oils will most likely damage something.

 

[Knox]

Would RV/Marine Antifreeze, not be a good substitute?

 

[fasttracksims]

we are looking at selling these but worried about liability with brake fluid in the house. Someone is going to figure out how to spill it.
If it was just my personal setup I would not be concerned about using brake fluid.

 

[fasttracksims]

Originally Posted By: Knox
Would RV/Marine Antifreeze, not be a good substitute?


anxious to see if there is more input to this one...interesting.

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

time to set up a test unit and start playing, then breakdown and inspect, say 100 up to 1,000 hours or beyond

but i don't think antifreeze is considered a safe household product either, check MSDS

 

[Texan4Life]

I would have some sort of disclaimer and use dot 3... but I guess you could experiment with other stuff... what about oils/fluids that are food grade, like used in restaurant equipment and other factories.

 

[Texan4Life]

What about DOT 5 silicone brake fluid?

according to this it is non-toxic, non-corrosive
and nonirritating: http://www.gabma.us/docs/dot5.pdf

 

[tommygunn]

Straight mineral oil or baby oil.

Have a friend who does downhill biking and the bicycle's disc brake system is literally just mineral oil. Its pretty universally inert, nonconductive, doesn't go bad.

...Worst case scenario with kids or pets its a laxative.

I'd go that route myself. Water is a second bet since water is uncompressable and totally safe; but in a household product there is a freezing risk if someone leaves it outside, just a thought.

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Straight mineral oil or baby oil.

Have a friend who does downhill biking and the bicycle's disc brake system is literally just mineral oil. Its pretty universally inert, nonconductive, doesn't go bad.

...Worst case scenario with kids or pets its a laxative.

I'd go that route myself.


thats a good idea

 

[TuBon_gRips]

There's also a "seal failed and sprayed water into my $2500 plasma screen" risk with water. At least with mineral oil, there's no risk of electrical damage, even if the cleanup might be a pain.

 

[fasttracksims]

thanks for the input so far!
We tried vegetable oil and it appears that it swelled up the seals and the pedal started hanging after a while.
Maybe the DOT 5 silicone route is the way...at least looks good so far and will try that. My big concern was a customer spilling and it being hazerdous....this might solve that issue

 

[mechtech2]

ATF or hydraulic fluid. Good for seals

 

[Knox]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
ATF or hydraulic fluid. Good for seals

+1 on the atf or an iso 32/46 hydraulic fluid.

Originally Posted By: fasttracksims
thanks for the input so far!
We tried vegetable oil and it appears that it swelled up the seals and the pedal started hanging after a while.
Maybe the DOT 5 silicone route is the way...at least looks good so far and will try that. My big concern was a customer spilling and it being hazerdous....this might solve that issue

Dot 5 doesn't sound bad either.