- GEM Car Battery Charging
How to Charge GEM Car Batteries
- Never Use Small Gauge Extension Cord to Plug in GEM Car! – 12 Gauge or Larger Extension Cord is Required to Prevent Delayed Charging of Batteries
- Never Use an Extension Cord Longer than 25′
Guidelines:
1) Recharge vehicle after each use.
2) Check water level monthly (applies only to ‘Flooded’ water‐based batteries, NOT AGM-GEL‐type).
Check water levels more frequent in warmer climates. Do not fill higher then bottom of
neck opening of battery cell.
3) Charge batteries before adding water unless plates are exposed and then add only enough
water to cover plates. Once batteries are charged, add distilled water to bottom of neck
opening.
4) Battery posts must be clean and cable connections tight. Clean posts with baking soda and
water. Verify torque to cable connections (follow procedures in Service Manual).
5) When storing or parking vehicle for extended periods of time, two weeks or longer, it is
strongly recommended that you first charge vehicle to 100%, then turn the “Master
Disconnect Switch” (MDS), located under the bench seat for 2004‐older Model vehicles and
inside Access Panel of lower dash for 2005‐current Model vehicles, to the “OFF” position.
Vehicles equipped with Delta‐Q brand charger may leave the MDS “ON” as it will turn on
automatically and recharge batteries, once every 7 days for flooded batteries and once
every 14 days for GEL batteries, for 26 consecutive cycles as long as the AC line power is not
interrupted.
6) “Self” discharge rate of a battery is about 1% per day, anywhere from 40‐100mA,
depending on model year vehicle. Battery charge should be refreshed about every 2‐3
weeks.
7) The MDS must be in the “ON” position for charger to operate and charge batteries.
8) Do not charge a frozen battery. Charged batteries do not freeze.
GEM ON‐BOARDCHARGER
The GEM on‐board charger is a 12‐amp, 72‐volt charger. There is a safety feature built into the
charger that will not allow it to come on if the batteries are overly discharged. This safety
feature is activated when the charger detects that the combined voltage of all batteries is 68
volts or less.
ON‐BOARDCHARGER WON’T COME ON
If the string voltage is below the 68‐volt threshold and the on‐board charger will not activate, it
then becomes necessary to employ an alternate charging method.
ALTERNATE CHARGE METHOD
WARNING!
Always were safety glasses or approved eye protection when servicing batteries. Battery gas is
flammable and explosive. Charge batteries in well ventilated area. Keep flame or sparks away
from the battery or any other booster source with an output greater than 12 volts. Do not allow
battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing. If acid splashes in eyes or on the skin, flush the
area immediately with large amounts of water.
CAUTION!
Batteries can be permanently damaged (and the warranty voided) if they are allowed to sit for
an extended period oftime at very low charge. A fully charged GEM with the Master Disconnect
Switch (MDS) on, and not in operation for two weeks or longer will self discharge to a point that
the on‐board charger will not operate. If the GEM is not going to be used within a two‐week
period it is recommended that you fully charge the vehicle and turn off the MDS. It is also
recommended that after this period the vehicle be recharged again before use to optimize
battery capacity for best vehicle performance. The information listed below will explain how to
get the correct amount of voltage into the batteries so that the on‐board charger will activate.
There may be damage to the batteries due to the fact they had sat for extended periods oftime
at low voltage. Resulting in poor performance and loss of desired range. Patience and
extensive charging may help to recover and recycle some batteries as long as the cells were not
dry or have any internal shorted cells.
To ensure the alternate charging method is done correctly follow these steps:
1. Locate the Master Disconnect Switch, under the bench seat (2004‐older) or inside the
fuse access panel (2005‐current), depending on model year GEM, and turn it to the off
position.
2. You will need to obtain a standard 12‐volt automotive type battery charger. Set the
amps to medium (10 to 30‐amp).
3. Hook the cable clamps from the off‐board charger directly to the battery posts, black to
black (negative) and red to red (positive), one battery at a time. It is NOT necessary to
remove or unhook battery post/cable connections as long as the MDS is off.
4. Charge each battery 10 ‐ 20 minutes each. This is only a residual charge that is being
put into the battery and will dissipate in a short period of time. It may be necessary to
charge upwards of 1‐2 hours per battery if they are significantly discharged. One
concern to keep in mind is that, as you get to and finish charging the last battery, the
first couple of batteries charged will have had time to dissipate their residual charge.
You may need to give the first two batteries a quick refresher charge. It may be
necessary to repeat this step.
5. After charging the last battery, remove the 12‐volt charger cables from the battery, and
turn on the MDS. The batteries should be above the 68‐volt minimum level and the
built‐in on‐board charger should operate flawlessly.
6. Plug the extension cord into the vehicle and let the on‐board charger engage and finish
the charging cycle.7. Depending on the state of charge ofthe batteries in the vehicle you may need to repeat
Steps 1‐6.
INTERNAL RESISTANCE & SULFATION
Lead acid batteries have changed very little in 70 years. From the initial application of the
electrolyte,sulfation begins coating the lead plates causing internal resistance. Aging batteries
lose overall performance and require increased maintenance (more water) and charging time.
Sulfation will eventually choke out any electrical activity. Stored and inactive batteries
accelerate the problem of sulfation, leading to REDUCED BATTERY LIFE.