Electric power steering conversion

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Doesn't matter if it is mechanical or electric, both still draw the same amount of power away from the engine. It takes the same amount of energy to move mass either way. To use a electric power steering you would have to install a high amp alternator which will draw more hp from the engine. Basically you just exchange ps pump parasitic loss for greater alternator parasitic loss to power the e assist, same for a electric water pump. Electric fans are only more efficient because there is no parasitic loss when they are off but have just as much loss as mechanical fans when engaged.

 

[UNGN]

Power steering pumps parasitic loss is higher than electric steering, which is essentially zero when going straight. Electric water pump would be more than a belt pump unless it was for a high RPM car that also had to cool at idle.

 

[Wageslave]

Doesn't matter if it is mechanical or electric, both still draw the same amount of power away from the engine. It takes the same amount of energy to move mass either way. To use a electric power steering you would have to install a high amp alternator which will draw more hp from the engine. Basically you just exchange ps pump parasitic loss for greater alternator parasitic loss to power the e assist, same for a electric water pump. Electric fans are only more efficient because there is no parasitic loss when they are off but have just as much loss as mechanical fans when engaged.

True, but the power steering will only draw high amperage during turning and use an amp or so while not turning, while the mechanical pump is always pumped up to its rated pressure as long as the motor is running. And your parasitic losses get a lot higher as your RPM's go up.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Yes, but you will a higher amp alternator to power the e assist when its on. A higher amp alternator will have a larger mass rotor and cooling fan to turn which is still a constant parasitic loss that increases with rpm. Not to mention the weight differences between the electric motor and ps pump.

 

[Wageslave]

But the mass of the larger alternator is negligible. It is basicly the same as having a clutch on your power steering pump that kicks out the pump completely when you are not turning. It takes a small amount of extra power to turn the weight of an added clutch, but that is more than offset by the savings of not turning the pump most of the time.

 

[UNGN]

I came across some good reading on splicing the electric steering assist motor off of a Saturn vue onto the steering shaft of a vehicle to get rid of the power steering pump and its parasitic losses.

We had a Saturn Vue for 5 years and I had no idea it was electric steering. On the MKT that replaced it, you can tell (because it can drive itself on the highway until it yells at you to put your hands back on the wheel)

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

The alternator would not be a little bit bigger, it would be quite a bit bigger along with a bigger battery. It is why race cars run mini alternators. As for the amount of offtime depends where one lives, the roads around me are twisting including the highways.

IMO, self parking and self driving features are for those who need to improve their driving skills, maintain better focus, and keep their phone off while driving.

 

[L67ss]

Only real issue I'd see in an adapted setup is a lack of road feel. Kinda why I never wired in the magna steer on my dd

 

[Streetbu]

Plus if you go to a manual gear box, the ratio will be different. So it might feel easy like p/s, but it'll be more turns lock to lock

 

[Wageslave]

Would a factory power steering box survive without a pump attached if you just hooked a loop line between the two fittings with a little fluid to keep things wet?