I've only seen one thread on HT about this topic, so I wanted to revisit it.

Many people who remove their PS belts or convert PS to manual find a few extra horsepower. As I understand, the RSX, Insight and a few other Honda and Acura models use electric power steering. I think the power gained by removing the PS pump off the belt and using the alternator to power the PS pump motor is worthwhile.

On these configurations, is the pump and motor all one assembly or belt driven from the motor to the pump? If it's the latter, a DC motor that turns around 1000 RPM shouldn't be a problem... nor should engineering brackets for the motor and pump.

Thanks for any feedback on this!

 

yes it might be nice.. but is the cost effective to do it this way? what would the pump cost? and time developing it?

 

The weight lost by the removal of power steering is also part of the gain. How much weight would you be adding back with this electric system?

 

your idea is seriously flawed, the energy must come from somewhere, taking mechanical energy from the crankshaft pulley is a lot more effcient than producing the same mechanical energy from a motor powered by the alternator powered by the crankshaft pulley, in other words you'll need to use more power to produce the same effect the pump had..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by goodbyegti &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">your idea is seriously flawed, the energy must come from somewhere, taking mechanical energy from the crankshaft pulley is a lot more effcient than producing the same mechanical energy from a motor powered by the alternator powered by the crankshaft pulley, in other words you'll need to use more power to produce the same effect the pump had..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Does the RSX really use electric PS then? If so, why would they do this if it is less efficient?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RyanCivic2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Does the RSX really use electric PS then? If so, why would they do this if it is less efficient?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Absolutely, although a correction: it's used on the Insight, S2000 and NSX. This website http://www.insightcentral.net/....html makes some good points about the idea. The way Honda does it isn't feasible to fabricate since the entire rack is based around an electric pump built into it, rather than a remotely mounted (on the side of the engine) power steering pump.

The plan is to turn the PS pump at 500 to 1000 RPM (with consideration for the built-in speed sensitive assist) all the time.

 

a lot of newer cars are using electric power steering. i think its generally for reducing NVH, and the ability to use battery power more on hybrid vehicles. on the nsx, its proabably used to save weight (no need to run lines from the front to the engine).

 

the ingenious idea behind the electric PS pump is the fact while driving it is not constantly on. how our older hondas are. in theroy it wud only draw power away from the motor when in use i.e. cornering yet it shuts off completely when in a straightline, or when minimal steering input is desired

 

yeah, i'm not saying electric power steering is bad, just your idea doesnt make sense to me, the way i see it you are planning to drive the pump all the time using a motor.. and if you aren't then you're gonna need some complicted electronics to get it to be more efficient...