Ranger EV Batteries

1103 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by RWScott66, 10 d ago

RWScott66

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Looks like I may need new batteries. Measured voltage fully charged. Most were 12.65 volts, but 1 was 11.85 volts. (Lead acid).

Is it time to replace. If so, what is the best battery to buy.

My EV is used very lightly. Primarily as a utility vehicle on my 2 acre lot. We will occasionally drive it a few miles down the road.

Thanks in advance for the help!

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Pottscb

· #2 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

I’ve been shopping for a month for a John Deere Gator TE which is the turf electric model, uses same 48v list golf carts use. Problem with most of them is that they have integrated BMS (battery management) that limit the output to 100Amp output). Most golf carts don’t pull that much but a Polaris might and a gator will (weighs 1250lbs without batteries, wider stance than most golf carts) anyway, you might want to read up on LiFePO vs. LiOn, different densities and power outputs but LiFePO is more stable (no fires ever). Signaturesolar.com has a one-box 48V-100Ah battery that puts out 200Amp (more in bursts) I just purchased it today but won’t be able to tell you if it’s any good for a while. Also, while the Ah rating of lithium is less, you get about double the capacity when compared to lead acid because they can use used safely down to 10% (leads in use half their capacity) and the lithiums can charge from 10-90% in a couple hours.(one could use this rationale to buy less capacity, but I’m lazy so hopefully I’ll only have to charge it once a month which should last forever as they’re rated for 5000 charge cycles.)

Lots of people go with Dakota Lithium which are supposed to be very good but very pricey.

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RWScott66

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Thanks for the reply Pottscb. Is there any downside to a single 48v box vs 4 12v boxes? This is an interesting option. What do you know about Signature Solar?

Pottscb

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Having one box is an advantage in many ways, especially for ATVs. Less complication than with multiple boxes, less wiring and the expense that brings and making sure all the connections are tight and remain tight after vibrating around in the battery compartment a couple thousand hours. Also, the enclosure contains both the battery cells and BMS with a Bluetooth (BT) app for battery monitoring (and viewing cell balancing real time while charging), otherwise you have to run a separate battery meter (SoC), which you still can but it’s optional with BT app. Additionally, compared to cobbling together battery modules, the one box is all under the same warranty (so would multiple boxes from same manufacturer). During YouTube videos tearing down this module they noted 4ga power wiring and silicone insulation, excellent layout and laser welded connections…all expensive upgrades. Plus they test at or above their rated capacity.

Downside is: cost. It’s a bit extra to stuff it all into the same enclosure with BT monitoring. I don’t trust my ability to wire it all correctly, solder the BMS, configure BMS/balancer, and setup the BT module…all inside a hermetically sealed container…and if anything goes wrong it’s up to me the troubleshoot/trace the short/bad cell/loose wire…etc. The very minimal cost upgrade is justified completely by the battery container being water/dust proof, these are extremely expensive if bought separately…the rest of the benefits are all just icing on the cake and serve to run the score up in my book.

These batteries are Chinese made and used to be marketed under “Gyll” name but apparently their licensing expired and the name changed and are imported and distributed by signature solar, which is a brick and mortar retailer about 90mi. east of DFW in TX. They review well by U.S. experts then and still do. (YouTube “EG4 review” by David Poz, Will Prowse and Lithium solar). I live in central TX and could drive there if their customer service doesn’t meet my expectation.

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johnbrowngreybeard

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Thanks for the information. I am very interested in your experience once you get the battery. Please keep us updated. (I have a 2014 Ranger EV with dead batteries. I have been considering Dakota and BigBattery.)

Pottscb

· #6 · 2 mo ago

It’s going to be interesting trying to tie that battery down as it’s going to only take up 1/6 the space of the original SLA batteries.

Battery is getting delivered Monday so hopefully it’s full and I won’t have to fully charge overnight, if not I’ll install Tue.and post back here later in the week.

PoppyDoodle

· #7 · 2 mo ago

RWScott66 said:
My EV is used very lightly. Primarily as a utility vehicle on my 2 acre lot. We will occasionally drive it a few miles down the road.

I am in the same boat. Mine only gets used on a 3 acre but heavily wooded property. Which means I spend a lot of time clearing sticks and such. I haven't even gone a "few miles down the road" with it. I chose to go with 4 VMAX AGM batteries, and it runs great. I put a meter above the steering wheel so I can watch the voltage. When it hits 50 volts, I charge it up. It has only been 4 months and I have charged it twice. I have no idea what kind of range I can get, but I don't think it would be a good idea for someone who uses theirs a lot. But for my small lot, it has been great and was a lot cheaper that a full set of batteries. And what really makes me happy is I got rid of those lead acid headaches!!!

RWScott66

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago

PoppyDoodle said:
I am in the same boat. Mine only gets used on a 3 acre but heavily wooded property. Which means I spend a lot of time clearing sticks and such. I haven't even gone a "few miles down the road" with it. I chose to go with 4 VMAX AGM batteries, and it runs great. I put a meter above the steering wheel so I can watch the voltage. When it hits 50 volts, I charge it up. It has only been 4 months and I have charged it twice. I have no idea what kind of range I can get, but I don't think it would be a good idea for someone who uses theirs a lot. But for my small lot, it has been great and was a lot cheaper that a full set of batteries. And what really makes me happy is I got rid of those lead acid headaches!!!

Thanks for the note Poppy! How many hours of run time do you get out of a charge? Do you have to climb any hills? If so, how is the torque?

Randy

JWedd

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Can those of you with failing battery packs indicate how many hours are on the machine? My 2021 has 240hrs. Today, I barely got 3 miles out of it before it went from 100% to 65% charge. This definitely isn't normal. I'd like to upgrade to LiPO4, but need a solid, cost effective upgrade.

Xfaxman

· #10 · 2 mo ago

JWedd said:
Can those of you with failing battery packs indicate how many hours are on the machine?

My 2013 EV had 178.3 hours in 4 years when I installed the Voltronics Kit.
It now has 401.9 hours, so 223.6 hours in 5.5 years on the upgrade.

Definitely worth it, no corrosion and no monthly battery maintenance.

PoppyDoodle

· #11 · 2 mo ago

RWScott66 said:
Thanks for the note Poppy! How many hours of run time do you get out of a charge? Do you have to climb any hills? If so, how is the torque?

Randy

I have 100 feet of 11 degree slope down my backyard to the woods where it is much more level. Torque is great. I have to be careful when I hit the pedal because it wants to fly. No more problems hauling a load up the hill. Before replacing the batteries, I could make about 2 trips slowly up the hill before having to recharge. So this is great. Number of hours is hard to say yet. Mine is a 2012 with 430 hours and was at least on its second set of batteries (NAPA golf cart) when I bought it. Because of my low usage, I think I squeezed about 6 years total out of the batteries. They were definitely shot. So I can't really answer your question about run time. They are still in their break in period. The new battery instructions say to avoid discharging below 12 volts and to recharge every 1 to 2 months. So, after my first two months, I had 1 hour on the meter, and it was down to 50 volts. I recharged it up to 52.4 volts. Now 2 months later it is down to 51.2 with 2 more hours on the meter. So, you can see they are plenty good enough for my use!

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JWedd

· #12 · 2 mo ago

k thanks. Sorry to OP, not trying to hijack the thread. I have a quote from Voltronix, it is about $7500 for materials/reprogramming to install their 11.77kw kit. Given the known quality, support, and track record, it seems to me that the premium price is worth it. Plus, being a California farmer myself, I have a desire to help keep in-state businesses here.

So earlier in the week, I did my 3 miles and saw the charge level drop to 65%. Threw it on the charger. Wife did 2 hours of work yesterday (maybe 6miles) and parked it with 99% charge. I'm puzzled as to what happened, but it seems that the 2021 L-A batteries are not yet at the failing point.

Gratts68

· #13 · 2 mo ago

Xfaxman said:
My 2013 EV had 178.3 hours in 4 years when I installed the Voltronics Kit.
It now has 401.9 hours, so 223.6 hours in 5.5 years on the upgrade.

Definitely worth it, no corrosion and no monthly battery maintenance.

How many miles do you have on it? Thanks!

Xfaxman

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Gratts68 said:
How many miles do you have on it? Thanks!

The 2013 EV does not have an odometer.

But most of the hours were done in low range.

Reactions: 1

RWScott66

Discussion Starter · #15 · 12 d ago

PoppyDoodle said:
I have 100 feet of 11 degree slope down my backyard to the woods where it is much more level. Torque is great. I have to be careful when I hit the pedal because it wants to fly. No more problems hauling a load up the hill. Before replacing the batteries, I could make about 2 trips slowly up the hill before having to recharge. So this is great. Number of hours is hard to say yet. Mine is a 2012 with 430 hours and was at least on its second set of batteries (NAPA golf cart) when I bought it. Because of my low usage, I think I squeezed about 6 years total out of the batteries. They were definitely shot. So I can't really answer your question about run time. They are still in their break in period. The new battery instructions say to avoid discharging below 12 volts and to recharge every 1 to 2 months. So, after my first two months, I had 1 hour on the meter, and it was down to 50 volts. I recharged it up to 52.4 volts. Now 2 months later it is down to 51.2 with 2 more hours on the meter. So, you can see they are plenty good enough for my use!

Poppy,

Can you send me your battery specs? Looks like a good option for me. Do you have 4 -12 volt batteries in series or 2 banks of 2 a 24 volt batteries?

Randy

boilermkr

· #16 · 10 d ago

install one 51v 105ah ECO battery. About same range as Lead acid. I know of at least a

dozen of these installed in the ranger with no issues. Install 2 if ant more range.

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RWScott66

Discussion Starter · #17 · 10 d ago

Thank you boilermkr!

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