Difference Between Supercharger and Turbocharger, gNewscar – If you are a person who has a car, you must be familiar with the term supercharger vs turbocharger. To add impetus, usually vehicle manufacturers will add a device in the form of a supercharger or turbocharger to a car engine.
Both of these devices are both forced induction systems. However, supercharger and turbocharger turned out to have differences. Both of these systems have their respective advantages which can be adjusted to the needs. Because it is a forced induction system, both of these devices function to compress the flow of air into the engine which can make the power in the vehicle become greater. So what’s the difference between these two forced induction systems? Now, instead of being confused, let’s immediately read the explanation below:
WHAT IS SUPERCHARGER AND TURBOCHARGER?
Both the supercharger and the turbocharger basically have the same function, namely pressing air into the fuel chamber to obtain high compression. High compression in the engine room will produce a large amount of power. Although similar, this supercharger and turbocharger also have some differences, so the end result is also slightly different. In general, these components are already built in from manufacturers, especially in high-end cars.
Both forced induction systems are known to provide 50 percent more power boost. One of the main differences in the turbocharger and supercharger lies in the power supply. Supercharger power source is located on a belt that is connected to the engine. A supercharger will compress air from atmospheric pressure and create a boost by supplying air into the engine. Superchargers themselves can produce up to 46 percent more power because an increase in air intake allows the use of more fuel in the combustion process. Supercharger can spin with speeds of up to 50,000 RPM because it is connected directly to the engine. Keep in mind that the supercharger does not have a wastegate (a device that regulates the pressure at which exhaust gas flows into the turbine and opens or closes the vent) so that smoke will come out of the supercharger.
Meanwhile, the turbocharger uses exhaust gas flow for its energy. The exhaust gas will run through a turbine that rotates the compressor. The turbine can spin even up to speeds of 250,000 RPM. That is, the turbo turbine rotation is almost 30 times faster than ordinary vehicle engines. Turbines that produce power boost do not require a long time and will immediately make the vehicle run. Turbochargers have wastegate so they can reduce emissions for a while.
So, the basic difference between the two devices is that the supercharger draws power from the engine’s crankshaft while the turbocharger utilizes the engine’s exhaust gases.
EXCESS AND LACKS Supercharger vs Turbocharger
Supercharger and turbocharger have advantages and disadvantages of each. For the supercharger, the advantage lies in the large increase in power. There are no symptoms of Turbo Lag, because it relies on a crankshaft, roller and belt (belts on the engine) that will be activated immediately when more power is needed. In addition, because it works instantly and without pause, it is suitable for low engine speed.
Then, the shortcomings that exist in the supercharger itself are less efficient compared to turbochargers, because to drive the roller and the engine belt (engine belt) also uses power from the engine. So the supercharger lends power by borrowing power from the engine. But with a ratio of increased power higher than the power borrowed. As a result of borrowing power, the engine is working harder and harder, as well as an increase in temperature which affects the life of the engine.
Meanwhile, the advantages contained in the turbocharger include a significant increase in power, and more flexibility because it has a variety of sizes and can be used on small engines. Turbochargers can also improve fuel efficiency, as the automotive industry does now by reducing engine capacity and replacing power losses. Because it works more effectively with the increased supply of combustion air, the turbocharger functions will be more pronounced at high engine speeds.
Lack of a turbocharger is turbo lag can occur. Turbo lag is a pause or lag that is present when the turbo will be active. Because of the waiting process of stepping on the gas, the combustion is even greater and the exhaust will produce a greater wind flow. Turbochargers will also need more engine oil because the combustion makes the turbocharger tends to get very hot.
Supercharger advantages
From the name that already bears the word “super”, it turns out that the name deserves this component. The main advantage of a supercharger that is not owned by a turbocharger is its ability to increase engine power which is equivalent to a low / bottom bearing to a high rolling bearing, because this supercharger turbine winder is directly connected to the engine. So you will not find the acceleration effect which is like a turbocharger engine where at the beginning we hit the accelerator, the power will not be immediately felt and there is a fraction of a second.
Lack of Supercharger
Despite having a good name, it turns out this supercharger also has a weakness that can answer wah. Because this supercharger component can be operated directly to the engine, this supercharger can absorb more than 1/3 of the total engine power so that it can be equipped with wasteful fuel. Especially if you wear it in the lower rounds. While the engine has reached the top rotation, the power or energy produced by the engine is doubled. Therefore this supercharger is very suitable to be installed on cars that require high speeds such as premium supersport cars. Like this weakness can be tolerated by its ability to produce power that is also super.
If you are interested in installing a supercharger component, you will need a number of contributions that you need to approve. The first is where you will use this car, whether on an empty street like in the Arabian desert or on a traffic jam like in Jakarta. Like the Simalakama upercharger is not suitable if you install it on a car that is often jammed because it can be ascertained that fuel waste can be up to 2 to 3 times as much.
SUPERCHARGER AND TURBOCHARGER DIFFERENCES
In addition to having a difference in the form and power that drives it as explained above, the supercharger and turbocharger also have several other fundamental differences. The difference is as follows.
Engine construction
The engine construction of this supercharger is a bit more complicated because of the addition of pulleys, drive belts, gears, turbine shafts and turbines. From the second tonnage, the supercharger has a heavier weight compared to the turbocharger. As for engines, turbochargers have simple construction including turbo or housing, turbine, turbine shaft and wastegate.
Engine power responsiveness
For a supercharger, because the power needed to drive a turbine is derived from engine speed, the responsiveness of the power produced by this supercharger tends to be flat and stable, both when spinning low or spinning up. While on the turbocharger, because the power needed comes from the engine exhaust gas pressure, causing a lag time to turn the turbine to the maximum so that the car gas feels like slow at the beginning of the pull. Nevertheless, this turbocharger is more fuel efficient when compared to the supercharger.
Risk of engine damage
In high speed, turbines from turbocharger engines are claimed to be able to spin as many as 150,000 revolutions per minute. This causes the machine needs a very good lubrication system. If not, the turbine shaft will wear out quickly. Therefore, caution is needed in turning off car engines that use turbochargers. To be safer, we should install a device called a turbo timer that serves as a safety so that the turbo is not easily damaged. As for the supercharger engine, we don’t need to worry about similar problems.
Engine fuel efficiency
From the comparison of the two, the supercharger is proven to be very inefficient to use because the driving force of the supercharger comes from the crankshaft rotation. So, automatically the engine load becomes larger, considering that this supercharger component can absorb at least 1/3 of the total power of the crankshaft. Although it is true that the rotation of the power generated from this supercharger is very significant, it will certainly result in high fuel consumption. Meanwhile, turbochargers have high fuel use efficiency because to drive turbines only utilize air pressure from exhaust gases that are no longer in use.
See Also : How to Repair Turbochargers And Effectively Solve Problems?
Well, now you knows better, right, about the difference between supercharger and turbocharger? Although these two systems have quite a lot of differences, you want to use any system that is free, depending on the needs of your car.
