Electric conversion crawler build

TBItoy · Oct 16, 2019

I'd be surprised if the electric pump from a volvo (or any other passenger car) is sufficient for a crawler, especially working it hard in a rock garden.

The wire size on the pump tells a big part of the story.
It takes a lot of HP to make the pressure & flow necessary to row a set of 40"+ tires back and forth bombing a hill, or turn a tire jammed against a rock.

d_daffron · Oct 16, 2019

I imagine the pump has to run all the time for full hydro, it seems pretty unlikely you would have adequate steering response with the pump cycling on and off. There would be little restriction through the orbital valve back to the reservoir when you werent actively turning so it wouldnt be under load until you needed it.

It either takes alot of power or alot of leverage to turn 40's in a rock garden. I could see how an electric pump could be beneficial in a crawler since it can supply max power and speed at idle unlike an engine driven pump. The smaller pump displacement may make it a no go for high speed stuff though.

Evcrawler · Oct 16, 2019

I'll try to get a good battery on it tonight and do a video with amps and voltage. Probably few more weeks before I can get it in the rocks.

Evcrawler · Oct 16, 2019

Not a very good video but it might answer some of the questions about the Volvo pump. Amps were about 6 not turning the wheel, 30s while turning, and holding it full lock mid 80s.

extremetownie · Oct 16, 2019

Thank you that helps a lot.

d_daffron · Oct 17, 2019

That was definately a helpful video, how fast can you turn the wheel with that setup? I know thats a tough question because how fast is fast enough and all, but is it fast enough to keep up when you turn quickly like you would to avoid hitting a tree/obstacle?

Evcrawler · Oct 17, 2019

d_daffron said:
That was definately a helpful video, how fast can you turn the wheel with that setup? I know thats a tough question because how fast is fast enough and all, but is it fast enough to keep up when you turn quickly like you would to avoid hitting a tree/obstacle?

I won't know until I get it out on some trails. The orbital is 2 turns lock to lock so the steering wheel won't turn real quick like it would with a orbital that is 4 turns lock to lock.

Evcrawler · Oct 17, 2019

Just noticed at the end of the video the volts were dropping into the 11s. With voltage up around 13 the pump should spin faster and pull fewer amps.

The Luke · Oct 17, 2019

I'm just curious and this may have been covered already. But what is your background? Electrician? Electrical engineer? Hobbyist?
Mainly I ask because MOST mechanics run from wiring and electrical as fast as they possibly can. I started doing systems and remote starts before I ever really started doing anything mechanical and to this day I'm still more comfortable doing electrical work.

Evcrawler · Oct 17, 2019

The Luke said:
I'm just curious and this may have been covered already. But what is your background? Electrician? Electrical engineer? Hobbyist?
Mainly I ask because MOST mechanics run from wiring and electrical as fast as they possibly can. I started doing systems and remote starts before I ever really started doing anything mechanical and to this day I'm still more comfortable doing electrical work.

I'm noting anymore, just a factory worker. Was a welder for a long time and did go to school for auto mechanics but never did it for a living

ridered3 · Nov 20, 2019

Got any updates?

whiskeymakin · Nov 21, 2019

Im also wanting to see how the steering pump ended up working out.

Evcrawler · Nov 21, 2019

Took it out once for to hours and had motor problems. I think the orbital is too fast ( less than 2 turns lock to lock) so I ordered a slower one from beyond precise. Plan to go again Sunday with a new motor if we don't get rained out.

whiskeymakin · Nov 21, 2019

Evcrawler said:
Took it out once for to hours and had motor problems. I think the orbital is too fast ( less than 2 turns lock to lock) so I ordered a slower one from beyond precise. Plan to go again Sunday with a new motor if we don't get rained out.

Motor problems as in orbital motor or the electric motor or the electric pump motor lol.

Evcrawler · Nov 21, 2019

The Warp9 electric traction motor. It was dropped during shipping so I'm not surprised.

ridered3 · Dec 16, 2019

Got any updates?

Evcrawler · Dec 16, 2019

Not much. Did take the 200 orbital and put in a 125. With 3 turns instead of 2 it is a lot happier. Bad weather last weekend but plan to hit the local park this coming weekend.