Electric Power Steering Pump Question

[XCRN]

I am looking at ways to remove load on the engine of my Jeep while retaining function. I think a good start is going with an electric pump which can be made to work easily. However I want to refine it since most retrofit installs have the pump either off or running 100% which I think will add the load back to the alternator negating gains. I want to be able to vary the amount of voltage based on speeds since I will only need it 90-100% below 25mph and can lower the voltage as speed incrases so cruiseing at highway speeds, the pump will not create load on the motor.

What are options where I can program a PWM output based on a VSS input? I was thinking of using a variable voltage fan controller from a Grand Caravan to regulate voltage to the pump, but I need something to tell it how much voltage to send.

[freebeard]

I don't know, but I'm willing to speculate that an OEM solution would be embedded in a larger system;leaving you the option of an Arduino or Raspberry Pico controller board. And some fairly simple programming.

edit:
I've thought about it some more, and the single-board computers I suggested are really overkill. Minimum would be the BASIC Stamp:

BASIC Stamp
The BASIC Stamp is a microcontroller with a small, specialized BASIC interpreter built into ROM. It is made by Parallax, Inc. and has been popular with electronics hobbyists since the early 1990s.
More at Wikipedia

Even I could program in BASIC; set a GOTO loop,add in a timing delay and a few halting conditions and you're done.

[Taylor95]

If you are good at fabricating, consider an electric motor:

https://www.kartek.com/parts/400-wat...ering-kit.html

This 400W motor is good for up to 37 inch tires. This is much easier than trying to come up with a completely custom solution in my opinion.

[redpoint5]

BASIC stamp; haven't heard that referenced, ever.

That was my introduction to microcontrollers and robotics.

Not sure I'd start with power steering pump in my quest to make a Jeep run more efficiently, but it's something.

[XCRN]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

BASIC stamp; haven't heard that referenced, ever.

That was my introduction to microcontrollers and robotics.

Not sure I'd start with power steering pump in my quest to make a Jeep run more efficiently, but it's something.

The electric powersteering idea is basically getting 2 birds stoned at once. The PS pump as it sits is very close to the steering shaft so I had to space the shaft support mount a good bit off the frame to avoid interference. This creates an issue with the steering shaft being so far off concentric from the hole in the firewall, I cant get the grommet to seal. There are other options to fix the firewall seal issue, just going with an electric pump will have some additional benefits too like more effiecient if installed correctly and more reliable.

I have not really dealt with programming, but willing to learn. I have very limited hands off understanding of CNC programming. Right now I am running a Holley Terminator where I can setup a PWM table within the tune to accomplish my goal and figure out what works best at what speeds fairly easy. But this is a temporary setup since I will be going with a stock EFI setup next winter and I really doubt I can have a programmable PWM output based on the VSS with that.

[oil pan 4]

I have experimented with one it's prohibitively expensive for minimum gains.
But if you must I would say forget hydraulics. I bet by now there are off the shelf aftermarket electric power steering rigs for sale somewhere.

[ECO-AKJ]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I don't know, but I'm willing to speculate that an OEM solution would be embedded in a larger system;leaving you the option of an Arduino or Raspberry Pico controller board. And some fairly simple programming.

edit:
I've thought about it some more, and the single-board computers I suggested are really overkill. Minimum would be the BASIC Stamp:


Even I could program in BASIC; set a GOTO loop,add in a timing delay and a few halting conditions and you're done.

BASIC...Ahh I remember my teaching me how to insert the 5.25" floppy disk and type in the coding to make a snake game run....good ole commadore 64

[XCRN]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

I have experimented with one it's prohibitively expensive for minimum gains.
But if you must I would say forget hydraulics. I bet by now there are off the shelf aftermarket electric power steering rigs for sale somewhere.

I looked into that and it just seems like there is no room for most electric steering column adapters to fit under the dash of a TJ but I have not had a kit in hand to see. I might see if I can convince one of these manufactures to send me a 3D CAD space model of one of their units, I could just 3D print it and try and mock it up.

[Ecky]

I second that I would not go the route of replacing a mechanical hydraulic pump with an electric hydraulic pump. Honda integrates a motor into their rack, whereas Toyota integrates it into the steering column. Both use a torque sensor to adjust assist. A lot of people retrofit the Toyota system into other cars.

[oil pan 4]

An effective electro hydraulic setup is going to suck power. I think mine ran at 50 to 60 amps no load, which was fine for a diesel truck with a big alternator with big alt wires and big batteries.