Electric Polaris Ranger

[Sysop]

I will likely do the same as you and go with the lead acid model, then upgrade the batteries later. They want too much for their lithium ion model... The way I see it, the lead acid will save me enough to allow me to get into one, and the way the batteries are improving and costs are coming down; I should be better off that way...

Any idea how well the batteries cope with setting idle? (both originals and the voltronics) Sometimes I go a couple weeks without running my SxS.

 

[Xfaxman]

Any idea how well the batteries cope with setting idle? (both originals and the voltronics) Sometimes I go a couple weeks without running my SxS.

A couple of weeks won't matter, I have machines that sit longer than that, but they are AGM batteries.

I put a 48 volt desulfator on the original batteries, made a noticeable improvement.

From what I have read, Lithium-ion should be stored at about 50% state of charge, for longest life.

 

[JRobyn]

With flooded lead-acid batteries, Polaris, the charger manufacturer (Delta-Q), and my experience all say to just keep them on the charger all the time when not in use.

From what I've heard, Polaris has had some issues with their factory Li-I model, even stopping production for a while. OTOH, the Voltronix kit seems to be very well engineered, robust and reliable. Before Polaris had a factory Li-I option, Polaris and Voltronix worked together for a while engineering and testing the Voltronix kit. Then at the last minute, Polaris pulled out of the deal and went with a different supplier. IMHO, they got what they deserved.

 

[John_Mc]

Any idea how well the batteries cope with setting idle? (both originals and the voltronics) Sometimes I go a couple weeks without running my SxS.

All batteries will self discharge over time. AGM and Lithium Ion will hold their charges longer than flooded lead acid. (Lithium Ion has the added advantage of not being quite as severely affected by very cold temperatures, though this is unrelated to their self-discharge rate).

A couple of weeks should not be an issue for any of these styles of batteries, as long as they are not heavily sulfated (heavy sulfation can increase the rate of self-discharge). Sulfation tends to form when flooded lead acid, Gel, or AGM batteries are left partially discharged for an extended time. The more heavily discharged they are, the more quickly they will become sulfated.

Lithium Ion batteries are a different story: If they are going to be stored for an extended period (a month or more), they do better if they are partially charged. This is why the manufacturers who bother to give a recommendation say to store at 50% (generally, anything in the 25-75% range is better than storing completely full or completely drained).

Another thing that helps lithium ion batteries is to use them or charge them a bit even when they are in storage. They like to at least occasionally have some electrons flowing in or out. So, you could put it in to storage at 70% and then every few weeks just drive it out and around the building a couple of times. If it eventually gets much below 40%, charge it back up to 70%. (Alternatively, you could put it in storage at 40% and just put the charger on it for a bit every few weeks, and add a bit to the charge level. After several partial charges - you might need to get out and drive it around for a bit so they aren't stored too full.)

 

[John_Mc]

With flooded lead-acid batteries, Polaris, the charger manufacturer (Delta-Q), and my experience all say to just keep them on the charger all the time when not in use.

That's good advice for flooded lead acid batteries in this type of application - IF you have a charger that has the proper charging profile for your batteries. (I would guess that Delta-Q does, or they would not be recommending leaving it on all the time.) There are a lot of battery chargers out there that do not charge or float at the proper voltages. It's possible to boil off the electrolyte if the float charge is too high.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the info, John. :thumbsup:

 

[BufordBoone]

Xfaxman, are you still happy with your Ranger EV? I'm considering one of the lead-acid models. I like the idea of upgrading to lithium once the original batteries die...and the price should (hopefully) have come down by then.

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, still happy. It is still humming along. It is so nice not having to do the battery maintenance every month and no more corrosion problems.

There was 178 hours on it when I did the conversion, now it has over 210.

 

[BufordBoone]

Great info. Thank you!

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't own one of these but do own an Electric Gator. Which is probably my most used and loved piece of equipment. It makes you wonder how anyone can stand the noise of the gas/diesel UTVs.

Down side is, if your usage exceeds demands, you can't just put fuel in it and away you go. That could be a problem with kids.

I do have a Diesel Mule, but I almost HATE to have to revert to that if my batteries got too low. Like getting on the BUS, after your Lexus quits! And actually, I always thought the Mule sounds kind of like a bus.