Batteries

Battery Pack

Your vehicle is equipped with a battery pack. This battery pack supplies the power needed to operate the vehicle.

These batteries perform best when recharged fully and often. Recharge the batteries daily or after each use of the vehicle.

NOTICE

Each vehicle is programmed at the factory for a particular battery type. Switching battery types should be done only by an authorized service technician. Your authorized GEM dealer can provide battery-related service.

To access the battery pack, remove any rear accessory back installed on the vehicle. See Rear Accessory Backs (Option). Release the battery pack access cover fasteners and remove the cover.

Battery Performance Tips

New batteries will not perform to their fullest capacity until they have been discharged and recharged 20 to 30 times.
Batteries should be fully charged before the first use.
Recharge the batteries daily, or after each use of the vehicle.
Always maintain a full charge on the batteries. For best battery life, avoid discharging the batteries more than 80%. When Charging, allow the full charge cycle to complete.
Batteries should be at room temperature when recharging. Do not charge batteries at temperatures of 110 °F (43 °C) or higher.
Range may be affected by road conditions, terrain, temperature and driving habits.

On-Board Charger

The on-board battery charger is located under the hood.

The state of charge of the batteries displays in the rider information center and a “C” displays when the vehicle is charging.

When the vehicle will not be used for 10 or more days, connect the charger. The state of charge of the batteries will be monitored, and charging will automatically be initialized when the state of charge drops below 97% or when 28 days have passed since the last charge completed.

This works best for maintenance free sealed Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.

IMPORTANT

Avoid temperature extremes when choosing a storage area.

If the combined voltage of all batteries reaches 36 volts or less, a safety feature in the on- board charger will not allow the charger to activate. If this occurs, use the alternate charging method. See Batteries section in the Features and Controls chapter.

Battery Charging

Your vehicle is equipped with either a standard charge receptacle or a fast charge receptacle. The battery charge receptacle is located at the rear of the hood, just below the windshield.

WARNING

Using a non-recommended extension cord could result in fire, heat damage or charger failure, which could result in serious injury or death. Always use the recommended type of cord to charge the batteries.

WARNING

Charging from a circuit of lesser capacity and/or using a cord from the outlet to the vehicle that is not sufficient in wire gauge could create a fire hazard.

WARNING

Failure to provide adequate ventilation while charging batteries can result in an explosion. Hydrogen gas is emitted during charging and will rise and accumulate at the ceiling. Always ensure a minimum of five (5) air changes per hour in the charging area. Never charge the batteries in an area subject to a flame or spark, including areas containing gas or propane water heaters and furnaces. Do not smoke in the charging area.

NOTICE

Do not use a ground fault interrupt (GFI) type cord on a GFCI-protected outlet.

Always follow these precautions when charging:

Position the vehicle on a level surface. Make sure the charging area is well ventilated.
Make sure the key is off.
Always use the recommended extension cord type.
Inspect the extension cord for cracks, loose connections and frayed wiring. Never use a damaged extension cord.
Always connect the charging cord to the vehicle’s charge receptacle first, then plug the cord into a wall receptacle.

NOTICE

A GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) receptacle is recommended. See your authorized GEM dealer if you do not have a GFI receptacle at your regular recharge site.

Make sure the charger uses a dedicated circuit to prevent overloading. If charging multiple vehicles, each vehicle should use a dedicated circuit.
When disconnecting the charger, always disconnect the extension cord from the wall receptacle first, then disconnect the cord from the vehicle.

Standard Charge Receptacle

NOTICE

The standard charge receptacle is not compatible with the SAE J1772 standard.

The following information applies to use of the standard charge receptacle. See Fast Charge Receptacle for information that applies to the use of the fast charge receptacle.

When charging the vehicle, always use the standard Polaris charge cord.

To begin charging, align and insert the charge station connector into the receptacle until it latches.
The lights on the charge station will indicate charging when the connection is made.
To remove the connector after the charge cycle is complete, press the release button and pull the connector out.

Fast Charge Receptacle

The following information applies to use of the fast charge receptacle. See Batteries section in the Features and Controls Section for information that applies to the use of the standard charge receptacle.

NOTICE

Enhanced standard charge cord will not insert into the fast charge receptacle and damage may occur if forced.

Always use SAE J1772 approved charge stations and connectors.
To begin charging, align and insert the charge station connector into the receptacle until it latches.
The lights on the charge station will indicate charging when the connection is made.
To remove the connector after the charge cycle is complete, press the release button and pull the connector out.

Alternate Battery Charging Method

NOTICE

The following only applies to AGM Batteries. Do not attempt to charge Lithium Ion batteries with a charger other than the one on-board the vehicle.

If the combined voltage of all batteries reaches 36 volts or less, a safety feature in the on- board charger will not allow the charger to activate. Use the alternate charging method to add a small charge to each battery separately. The on-board charger will then activate properly to recharge all batteries to a full charge.

Use a 12-volt battery charger to charge 12-volt batteries. Charge each battery individually.

Use a 12-volt charger to charge 6-volt batteries. Charge in four groups, each consisting of two sequentially wired batteries.

Set the battery charger to the medium amp setting (10 to 30 amps).
Charge each battery for 10-20 minutes.
Move quickly from battery to battery, as this is only a residual charge and it will dissipate in a short period of time.
After charging the last battery, remove the off-board charger leads and plug the vehicle in.
If the on-board charger does not recognize the residual charge and activate, repeat the alternate charging method.

NOTICE

It is not necessary to remove or disconnect battery post connections during the alternate charging method.

Battery Handling Precautions

WARNING

Do not work in or near the battery compartment or on any other electrical component of the vehicle while charging the batteries.

Before servicing the vehicle’s electrical system, always disconnect the service disconnect first, then disconnect any electrical accessory connections, then disconnect the negative cable from the 12-volt battery, then disconnect the negative terminal from the main battery pack. See Service Disconnect section in the Features and Control chapter for more information. This will disable the vehicle by disconnecting the battery pack from the motor. It does not disable the battery pack. HIGH VOLTAGE will be present at the battery terminals and contactor.

HIGH BATTERY VOLTAGE IS ALWAYS PRESENT. DO NOT TOUCH THE BATTERY TERMINALS.

Always make sure that all 12-volt electrical accessories are grounded directly to the negative (-) post on the terminal board. Never use the chassis or body as a ground connection. See 12–Volt Terminal Board Connections section in the Features and Controls chapter.
Make sure vent caps are installed properly and securely during vehicle operation and battery charging.
Never connect a 12–volt accessory directly to the batteries. Always connect any powered accessory to the 12–volt terminal board. See 12–Volt Terminal Board Connections section in the Features and Controls chapter.
Never connect jumper cables to any of the batteries of this vehicle.

caution

Always wear safety glasses or approved eye protection when servicing the vehicle. Wear a full-face shield and gloves when working with or around batteries and electrical connectors.

Use only insulated tools when working in the battery compartment.
Always keep battery terminals and connections clean and free of corrosion at all times. See Battery Inspections/Maintenance and Battery Cleaning section in the Maintenance chapter.

BRAMMO® Lithium-Ion Cold Battery Performance

The Brammo® Lithium Ion batteries in your vehicle will not accept a charge unless internal battery temperatures are at or above 41 °F (5 °C).
When ambient temperature is at or above -16 °F (-27 °C), the battery heaters will use battery pack energy to warm the batteries to an internal temperature of 41 °F (5 °C), at which point the batteries will accept a charge.
The battery heaters will not operate when ambient temperature is below -16 °F (-27 °C).
When ambient temperature is below -16 °F (-27 °C), the vehicle should remain in storage until ambient temperature is at or above -16 °F (-27 °C).

Whenever ambient temperatures could drop below freezing during storage:

Always make sure the batteries contain at least 20% state of charge (SOC).
Always connect the charger to make sure the batteries can support operation of the battery heaters and recharge the batteries as needed.

12–Volt Terminal Board Connections

Remove the upper dash to access the 12-volt terminal board

. Always make sure that all 12-volt electrical accessories are grounded directly to the negative (-) post on the terminal board. Never use the chassis or body as a ground connection. Use the positive (+) terminal only for accessories that require constant power (when the ignition key is off). Use the accessory (ACC) terminal for accessories that require power only when the ignition key is on.

NOTICE

To avoid draining the battery system, always install an accessory exactly as stated in the provided installation instructions.