EPS Conversion?

[Big Pussy]

The little 14 gauge wire most likely only controls the coil side of a horn relay and is powered off a smaller fuse. The 20 amp horn fuse most likely feeds the contact side of the relay That powers the actual horn and will have a larger gauge wire for the higher load.

Nope. The #14 is on the contact side going directly to the pair of horns over the left wheel house. I spliced my #12 to it and ran to another pair of freeway blasters on the othe side. It was obvious when you splice a larger known size to the puney oem wire. All protected at 20 amps. Must be consideted an intermittent load. Beep Beep.

 

[earthling]

So why is the horn circuit on my 2023 RAM wired with little 14 gauge wire but fused with a 20 amp fuse ?

The truck is built in NA to your NA specs.

That white red wire on your fuse block feed is at best 10 gauge. See what happens if the feed wire rubs through to ground near the fuse block end. It will be a red hot wire in less than two seconds since there is no fuse protection at the starter solenoid where it is powered from. There is then a real risk that the sled burns down.

Because of two reasons. One, your horn is not a constant use circuit and two, they don't care about voltage drop for the horn. This is a case of the problem is self regulating. In the chart below you can see that for a non-critical electrical circuit (horn) and using 10% voltage drop as the guide, you can get away with 14Ga. If it were a motor, you would want to use the 3% (or less) voltage drop calculation.

 

[UsfighterNH]

This thread is amazing! A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. I had a quick couple of questions though...I have all the parts to do this on a 2024 XTX-LE. First question is I tried for fun putting the column shafts on the actuator spline by hand and couldn't even get it started. I did not use much force but is there a trick to that? I even tried the lower column and same deal. Also one of the parts that was not common to my stock sled is the stopper...is that to prevent steering beyond the limit? I plan to do this install soon and have my local dealer do it. I am going to see if I can video document the entire process for YouTube but have a feeling they won't go for it. Might just do it myself with a couple fellow Sidewinder owners and record the process that way. Thanks in advance for any help regarding spline shaft fitting and stopper.

Season coming soon! Praying for a better season.

 

[KRK1]

This thread is amazing! A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. I had a quick couple of questions though...I have all the parts to do this on a 2024 XTX-LE. First question is I tried for fun putting the column shafts on the actuator spline by hand and couldn't even get it started. I did not use much force but is there a trick to that? I even tried the lower column and same deal. Also one of the parts that was not common to my stock sled is the stopper...is that to prevent steering beyond the limit? I plan to do this install soon and have my local dealer do it. I am going to see if I can video document the entire process for YouTube but have a feeling they won't go for it. Might just do it myself with a couple fellow Sidewinder owners and record the process that way. Thanks in advance for any help regarding spline shaft fitting and stopper.

Season coming soon! Praying for a better season.

Take a look at the splines in the EPS motor. You'll see one of the splines on each side has a notch cut in it. The notch lines up from one side to the other. That notched spline is where the bolt slot in the steering column and the bolt slot in the pivot base the motor sits down on line up to go together. The slot described is where the bolt goes through to squeeze things together. If not lined up it won't go together.

I did the same thing as you and put the column and base onto the motor on the bench and how I noticed the notched spline. Also, the paint that is in the column and base splines makes things tight. I took a small file and dressed the areas where the motor splines were raising up the paint until I got it all to slide together without a lot of force. I want it to come apart if needed. When I do the final install I plan to use some lube on the splines.

 

[MrSled]

All of you guys that put on the EPS kits does yours work at idle or only when you touch throttle? And will your EPS work in reverse?

 

[stgdz]

The one factory installed had it active as soon as the key was on. Didn't need engine power.

Not sure these aftermarket installs but trying the factory one at a dealer enlightened me about how awesome eps was

 

[MrSled]

The one factory installed had it active as soon as the key was on. Didn't need engine power.

Not sure these aftermarket installs but trying the factory one at a dealer enlightened me about how awesome eps was

I’m getting ready to do 4 of them and start making video. I believe it all work as soon as key is on.

 

[KRK1]

I’m getting ready to do 4 of them and start making video. I believe it all work as soon as key is on.

Installed mine back in late August. Haven't started it yet. I put in a new battery as it's a 2019. I monitored battery voltage for several days to make sure the new battery wasn't being drained and it held steady at 12.7 each check. Before posting this I just checked it and it's at 12.4 and first time I've checked it since late August so looking good. The GSE kit has a wire lead that connects to the red blue accessories wire by the chain case that controls a switch that is in the control module that prevents battery drain from the power steering motor that runs directly off the battery with that kit. I'm assuming the module that is in board to the factory eps does the same with the red blue wire that is plugged in with the canbus wires. Pretty sure the GSE motor is powered when the key is turned on as there is a small red signal lite that is wired into the above mentioned lead that goes to the accessories plug and it flashes on then off immediately when the key is turned on.

 

[DennyTuna]

I haven't started my sled since the install, now I'm curious as well. Have a couple of things to do yet then I can fire it up.

 

[Big Pussy]

Who has done this to Viper or 7000?
I want to know if the air box goes back in without interference.

 

[biffdotorg]

After chatting with Tom at Haydays this fall, I was excited to read this thread. And after going through the 18 pages (so far) It is amazing the passion of the folks behind this project, and how many are jumping onboard for what I consider a reasonable price. That being said it is not a small investment of money and effort to do it.

The irony of this topic blows me away, as when we all thought our EPS equipped Apex' were the best thing on snow, anyone and everyone from all brands preached that a well setup sled did not need EPS. (partially true) And when the sidewinders were released, that mantra held true until owners put more weight on the additional power over EPS.

It was a fair argument, as many would trade off ease of steering for more power. And now the blue bleeders were even saying again, a well setup sled/sidewinder does not need power steering. Then the Sidewinder comes out with EPS, and now, it's the new top dog again, and EPS is a game changer they all preached. While cheap guys like me could not justify spending over $20K for an EPS winder, and those with previous gen machines preached again, a well setup sled didn't need EPS, to help justify what they own.

Now an affordable option comes around for all of us to jump on board with an EPS equipped Winder and you hardly hear those words uttered from the blue bleeders. In fact, I was the hardest core bleeder that said I don't want to ever buy another Yamacat after owning a viper as a second sled to my Apex. 1. I didn't like the build of the ProCross, 2. EPS was not affordable.

Well, now I have to find another excuse not to own one, as winders dip back down to pre-covid prices at or under $10K. Damn you guys, now I cannot stop shopping used winders.

 

[STAIN]

I am waiting on video and ONE large complete list of parts and will have 2 2020 T-Cats to do.
I love my 2022 LTX EPS

 

[Turboflash]

I am waiting on video and ONE large complete list of parts and will have 2 2020 T-Cats to do.
I love my 2022 LTX EPS

"Complete" is operative word. In this thread I think there is a list, but since it was issued, there have been additions/changes. The original list is pretty complete but there are changes. Also, there are templates on where to drill holes, etc. Electrical side may not be quite as clear as mechanical side. And, there are electrical wiring variations between some sled models.
VIdeos would be a huge help.

 

[KRK1]

I just started mine to confirm if the eps install is working and all appears good. When the sled first started the handlebars moved to a straight forward position by themselves. Bars were slightly turned when it fired and they moved as described. I started it twice after that with the bars slightly turned and it did not do it again so I'm making the assumption that the control module in the motor must have gone through an initial calibration sequence to set itself???

As far as working goes....the sled is on dollies and when running the bars can be turned very easily turning the dollies with the skis. While holding the bars and shutting the sled off right after checking while running, the resistance gets much greater when turning so it's working.

 

[Tcat100]

"Complete" is operative word. In this thread I think there is a list, but since it was issued, there have been additions/changes. The original list is pretty complete but there are changes. Also, there are templates on where to drill holes, etc. Electrical side may not be quite as clear as mechanical side. And, there are electrical wiring variations between some sled models.
VIdeos would be a huge help.

If I retire I will do a video of my next install. I'm looking for a mint 129 ZR9000RR to build my ultimate sled. I have a complete set of extra PS parts, now just have to find the perfect 17 or 18 129! Love that this is working out for so many people that have the fortitude to tackle it. These sleds with power steering are amazing