2022 Polaris Ranger EV - picked up today!

[mvoght]

I haven't been by in a while!

EV is over 2 years old now. I do notice the batteries not lasting quite as long, but still completely fine for me.

In November 2022 I bought a ground drive manure spreader, just a 25 bushel size, and I use my FEL to fill it, then tow it with EV to spread the manure.

It's a small one, but I spent $1000 on it . The guy who was spreading for me charged $650 the last time he did it, which sent me shopping for a used one. I figure I've paid for the spreader by now. It is more time, but when the grandkids come, they love watching the loader and spreader work.

I should be better at keeping the batteries topped off, but now that my back is fixed (surgery in Jan 2023) I actually use a wheelbarrow more often, and don't jump in EV as often for quick stuff.

Currently it needs a bath and I need to top off the distilled water in the batteries. I've noticed if you overfill, I end up with battery acid on the rubber mats under EV.

That Amazon replacement dump hydraulic lift is still going strong and I never did get around to getting a restrictor cable. I figure it will be great for 3 years since I spent the extra $6.99 on the 3 year warranty (which I rarely do) from Amazon.

 

[rontaki]

I haven't been by in a while!

EV is over 2 years old now. I do notice the batteries not lasting quite as long, but still completely fine for me.

In November 2022 I bought a ground drive manure spreader, just a 25 bushel size, and I use my FEL to fill it, then tow it with EV to spread the manure.

It's a small one, but I spent $1000 on it . The guy who was spreading for me charged $650 the last time he did it, which sent me shopping for a used one. I figure I've paid for the spreader by now. It is more time, but when the grandkids come, they love watching the loader and spreader work.

I should be better at keeping the batteries topped off, but now that my back is fixed (surgery in Jan 2023) I actually use a wheelbarrow more often, and don't jump in EV as often for quick stuff.

Currently it needs a bath and I need to top off the distilled water in the batteries. I've noticed if you overfill, I end up with battery acid on the rubber mats under EV.

That Amazon replacement dump hydraulic lift is still going strong and I never did get around to getting a restrictor cable. I figure it will be great for 3 years since I spent the extra $6.99 on the 3 year warranty (which I rarely do) from Amazon.

I haven't been by in a while!

EV is over 2 years old now. I do notice the batteries not lasting quite as long, but still completely fine for me.

In November 2022 I bought a ground drive manure spreader, just a 25 bushel size, and I use my FEL to fill it, then tow it with EV to spread the manure.

It's a small one, but I spent $1000 on it . The guy who was spreading for me charged $650 the last time he did it, which sent me shopping for a used one. I figure I've paid for the spreader by now. It is more time, but when the grandkids come, they love watching the loader and spreader work.

I should be better at keeping the batteries topped off, but now that my back is fixed (surgery in Jan 2023) I actually use a wheelbarrow more often, and don't jump in EV as often for quick stuff.

Currently it needs a bath and I need to top off the distilled water in the batteries. I've noticed if you overfill, I end up with battery acid on the rubber mats under EV.

That Amazon replacement dump hydraulic lift is still going strong and I never did get around to getting a restrictor cable. I figure it will be great for 3 years since I spent the extra $6.99 on the 3 year warranty (which I rarely do) from Amazon.

I've had a Polaris EV since it was new about 5 years ago. The lead acid batteries died a little over a year ago, probably one or two really weak batteries with the rest not much better. I decided to replace them with LiFePo lithium batteries, which cost more than the lead acid replacements would have, but they should last a lot longer, never need watering and actually provide more range because they can be more deeply drained without damage.

Having said that, I made sure to flush the battery trays with the garden hose frequently to prevent battery acid from rotting the metal, and when I pulled the old batteries out the metal was only lightly rusted. I watered the batteries one cell at a time for a few times, then realized I was not keeping on top of that due to the difficulty and time it to to water them, so I installed one of those watering systems that you just pump distilled water into a hose and it fills all the cells, but with a valve on each one to keep from overflowing. One hose attachment to pump into per side, I believe it worked well but did not bother to check each cell after installing it. Those batteries are thirsty! They took gallons of distilled water to top both banks up, sometimes. Now that watering system is surplus, PM me if you are interested in buying it. It's complete, but not all prettily sorted as I had meant to do before selling it.
FYI, I used two 48v Falcon Elite batteries in parallel from BigBattery.com for the replacements, together they can supply at least 650 amps for a few seconds, as I believe that is the max current draw under full load. I've never had them cut out as long as they have sufficient charge. I put one on each side where the lead acid batteries were, mounted the new charger on to of the old one, leaving it wired to the controller and it all work quite well. Not as elegant as completely removing the original lead acid battery charger, which I plan to do someday, but it all works. Only real issue is installing a "coulomb counting" state of charge meter, as measuring voltage of the lithium batteries is not a useful "gas gauge" as it is with lead acid.
Oh, and the EV is now 500 pounds lighter .

 

[workinonit]

Batteries. Yuk. I'm happy you guys like those EVs. I detest messing with batteries. That reminds me of the golf cart days and fooling with degrading batteries, acid and corrosion, distilled water and battery cables.

 

[newbury]

Batteries. Yuk. I'm happy you guys like those EVs. I detest messing with batteries. That reminds me of the golf cart days and fooling with degrading batteries, acid and corrosion, distilled water and battery cables.

I'm waiting for some you-tuber to come out with a good conversion from DeWalt Flexvolt to a small utv. Like the Greenworks UTV.
I only NEED to go about 1,000 yards most of the time, not miles. There's no corrosion, acid, or distilled water and I have the batteries already for my blower, trimmer and lawnmower.

 

[workinonit]

I've had my Polaris Ranger since 2007 when I bought it new. I've had the usual suspension bushing replacement, CV axle, fuel pump issues that I finally resolved and of course several batteries. It's easy to work on and parts are readily available. I guess there's a tradeoff for everything.

 

[ArlyA]

Yes, they all need some repairs. That's what happens when you use your machine and things spin. I can't see a battery powered atv or utv in our future but did purchase a zero steer. Thanks for your thoughtful posts on your ranger.

 

[shooterdon]

I can see EV UTVs but not with lead acid batteries. I would rather gas up than deal with the hassle of lead acid battery maintenance.

But "one size" does not fit all. It they work for golf carts they should work for a lot of people with UTVs.

 

[rontaki]

Let's just forget about using the problems of lead acid batteries as an excuse to not like battery powered machines. That's an old, soon to be considered an ancient way of powering things. The only advantage the lead acid batteries had in my Polaris EV was that being mounted so low in the chassis, I never once felt unstable no matter what slope I was on. Now that it is 500 pounds lighter, it rides higher up and does not have the massive ballast of the lead acid batteries. I imagine that if it was designed for lithium batteries, that would be taken into account when designing the suspension. Sure, I could lower the EV, but i don't really need to, so won't go to the effort or expense. This EV gets used for frequent very short trips and to pull a mower at slow speeds for hours. No clutch, belts filters or stink to worry about. Since we installed solar panels, it's truly powered by the sun. Just like my electric zero turn. I love powering these things for darn near free. I'm not trying to save the Earth by going electric, just the hassle of petrol powered machines. I also realize that i am probably spending more money for electric powered toys, but the convenience and ease of use is a joy. Plus they always just start right up.

 

[mvoght]

I've had a Polaris EV since it was new about 5 years ago. The lead acid batteries died a little over a year ago, probably one or two really weak batteries with the rest not much better. I decided to replace them with LiFePo lithium batteries, which cost more than the lead acid replacements would have, but they should last a lot longer, never need watering and actually provide more range because they can be more deeply drained without damage.

Having said that, I made sure to flush the battery trays with the garden hose frequently to prevent battery acid from rotting the metal, and when I pulled the old batteries out the metal was only lightly rusted. I watered the batteries one cell at a time for a few times, then realized I was not keeping on top of that due to the difficulty and time it to to water them, so I installed one of those watering systems that you just pump distilled water into a hose and it fills all the cells, but with a valve on each one to keep from overflowing. One hose attachment to pump into per side, I believe it worked well but did not bother to check each cell after installing it. Those batteries are thirsty! They took gallons of distilled water to top both banks up, sometimes. Now that watering system is surplus, PM me if you are interested in buying it. It's complete, but not all prettily sorted as I had meant to do before selling it.
FYI, I used two 48v Falcon Elite batteries in parallel from BigBattery.com for the replacements, together they can supply at least 650 amps for a few seconds, as I believe that is the max current draw under full load. I've never had them cut out as long as they have sufficient charge. I put one on each side where the lead acid batteries were, mounted the new charger on to of the old one, leaving it wired to the controller and it all work quite well. Not as elegant as completely removing the original lead acid battery charger, which I plan to do someday, but it all works. Only real issue is installing a "coulomb counting" state of charge meter, as measuring voltage of the lithium batteries is not a useful "gas gauge" as it is with lead acid.
Oh, and the EV is now 500 pounds lighter .

Could you post pictures of the new charger and batteries?

I also make sure to hose out around my battery compartment fairly often, when we fill the batteries, I make sure it's cleaned up first, because I don't want hay and manure bits falling into the batteries.

I will admit that we don't top them off monthly, but it also is because after the initial time I filled them and they took 2 gallons of distilled water, now it's usually right around a gallon for all 8 and our method of topping them off is a bit sloppy, so it could be less. We use a giant syringe with an old plumbing hose wedged onto the end to direct it into each compartment. I pour, husband moves the hose end from cell to cell.

 

[mvoght]

So when we added water to the batteries, I realized several connector cables had corroded completely through! Clearly I need to be more diligent about rinsing the battery acid off/out. I saw one recommendation to spray baking soda water on the batteries at some interval, but I didn't note the interval. I was looking for parts diagram mostly and the specs on the wires.

The Polaris branded cables are $50 each and there are 6 total. The same 4AWG wire and small (not the big battery terminal size, a bolt) connectors for golf carts are $5.95 each. I'm going to give those a try, since it's a battery cable. My hubby was just going to buy a coil of wire and make new ones, but then I found these.

XFaxman - I saw you posted a response on the Polaris Ranger EV forum about a small wire and I need to go find that post again, as I think the same wire also another that corroded through, some sort of fuse line, pretty delicate wire.

 

[Xfaxman]

XFaxman - I saw you posted a response on the Polaris Ranger EV forum about a small wire and I need to go find that post again, as I think the same wire also another that corroded through, some sort of fuse line, pretty delicate wire.

Probably a pink wire from a 2 amp fuse to the first battery for +12 volts.

 

[mvoght]

Update. 4 years in and the corrosion on the cables is annoying. I keep spare cables now, and coat them with the dielectric grease, but clearly not often enough as they're still corroding through frequently, I suppose it is possible I'm not torquing the bolts enough, since I don't have a torque wrench.

It's been bitterly cold here in Virginia and so I've been bouncing over ice to put out hay and something has broken, a possibly a smaller wire. Maybe the pink one.

I wonder if I've been using 50% of the batteries.

Temps are 1-24F, luckily it decided to die when I had it parked and at 100% charge under cover, so I don't need to worry about pushing or towing the thing. This time, it has the check engine light on, but the dash lights all work and the headlights also work. The reality of this weather means that I can order manuals, hopefully figure out what I need, and will work on it when it warms up. I'll just be using a wheelbarrow again.

As I look at that diagram that xfaxman posted again, I know that I've been running with only the top one of those pink wires connected and the second just severed. What isn't clear in the diagram is if the wire on the right of the fuse (as pictured) is also the small, thin wire, mine is all wrapped in black tape and I can't really tell, but both those wires after the fuse and no longer connected to anything. Do I need to get a new connector and attach again?

I'm going to order the service manual, since I'm pretty sure my local dealer is going to be absolutely worthless on the EV.

I'm looking for YouTube videos and surfing the Ranger forums, but there isn't a ton there.

 

[shooterdon]

Not trying to be a jerk, but do you wish you had purchased a SxS with an ICE?

 

[Xfaxman]

As I look at that diagram that xfaxman posted again, I know that I've been running with only the top one of those pink wires connected and the second just severed. What isn't clear in the diagram is if the wire on the right of the fuse (as pictured) is also the small, thin wire, mine is all wrapped in black tape and I can't really tell, but both those wires after the fuse and no longer connected to anything.

It is the same, only 2 amps max.

Do I need to get a new connector and attach again?

Yep, I did:

 

[mvoght]

Not trying to be a jerk, but do you wish you had purchased a SxS with an ICE?

Not even a little bit! I LOVE no fumes and the silence. Every ICE I have has WAY more maintenance than EV has.

Just asked my hubby and his head shake and no was immediate!

 

[mvoght]

It is the same, only 2 amps max.


Yep, I did:

View attachment 4999506

Thank you for the picture!

I've been emailing the guys at Voltronix and while it's going to be pricey, when I replace batteries, I'm going to definitely go with that one.

But, after I got the service manual, I went out ready to count the blinks to translate to error code...and the light was off, and it's been working fine, even without fixing anything. Perhaps when I accidentally touched the metal terminal cleaner to the next battery over and it sparked, it might have cleaned out that corrosion. It certainly reminded me to wear safety glasses and be more careful.

Oh, and I realized that my charger is likely using the wrong algorithm, which is why I've been having so much corrosion. I'll work on getting that changed when it's warmer again.