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Frequently Asked Questions 

 

• How easy is the installation?
   
  • You need a reasonable amount of practical ability to install the lithium battery kit yourself. A few 48v electrical connections are required and a small amount of mechanical ability is also required. Panels need removed, the rust needs cleaned up, the battery mounting plate needs hammered flat, some wires need to be routed from the battery bay to the dashboard.
    Full, clear instructions are provided and we are also available at the end of the phone at any reasonable hour to answer your questions or concerns.
    BUT, If this is not for you then we can either fit it here in our Motueka workshop or we can arrange an installer for you. Most Polaris dealers now fit our kit.
     
• What range will it give me?
   
  • This all depends on how you use your machine. Are you on hilly terrain? Do you often run loaded? etc.
    Whatever range you had when your ranger was new then you will at least double that.
    But, more importantly it will climb hills all day, fully loaded, and not cutout half way up, or get slower and slower as the battery is used. You have the same climb ability at 10% battery as you do at 100% battery.
     
• Will my Ranger EV be faster?
   
  • Yes and no. The maximum speed doesn't change but it now has the power to run at max speed in all terrain (where appropriate and safe). You will rarely use the "Low" setting or even the "Max Range" setting with the LiFePo4 kit fitted. You can leave it set on "High" and it will still climb out of a hole, up the steepest of hills, or get as far as you need without worry.
     
• My old batteries always needed filling with water and the cables cleaned and greased a lot, what maintenance is required with the LiFePo4 batteries?
   
  • Our LiFePo4 Lithium batteries require almost no maintenance. They need charged, but significantly less than before, you need to ensure the battery terminals are secure every now and again, you need to ensure that there is not a build up of dirt (especially wet dirt) around the switches and connections, but that's it. No watering, no corrosion, no stress.
     
• Can my Polaris Ranger EV be charged off-grid, with solar panels?
   
  • Yes, as long as you have a suitable inverter to provide a stable voltage of 230v at about 1500watts.
     
• Can I use the LiFePo4 batteries to run an inverter?
   

  • Yes. All electrical rules and safety must be followed. Please do not attemp this without the right knowledge or ability. Use a professional for all electrical work.
    You will require additional heavy duty connections, suitable for the intended purpose and loading.
     

• I have heard a lot of stories about Lithium battery fires, what are the risks?

  • Lithium-Ion batteries are very different to LiFePo4, (Lithium-Ferrite-Potassium)
    Feel free to google LiFePo4 batteries and their safety record. They are a very different chemical make-up and do not suffer from thermal runaway like Li-ion.
    Our batteries have a number of safety features including, overload protection, over voltage protection, temperature monitoring with auto shutdown, they are in strong metal cases that are IP66 rated, the batteries are mounted in the centre of the Ranger with a strong metal frame and battery base plate, with further plastic protection on the base of the ranger and around the wheels. It would be very difficult to physically damage the batteries.
    We also supply a new IP rated charger, designed specifically for our LiFePo4 batteries.
    We are confident that our batteries are as safe, probably safer, than your original lead acid batteries. The potential for an acid fume explosion from lead acid batteries and the multiple corroded cables on the original arrangement with 8 batteries was very high.
     

• If we, in the very rare chance, have a faulty battery can we drive home on one battery?
   

  • Absolutely, Yes. One of the biggest advantages of the setup that NMPowerNZ has chosen is the dual battery setup. Not only does this double the maximum usable current capacity, it  allows you to switch off one battery and get most jobs finished and still be able to return home.
    A fully charged single battery should still have the range of new lead acid batteries.
    You would only need to restrict the total load onboard before going up a steep hill.
    With a single battery it may activate the safety overload cutout if you were to attempt going up a steep hill while fully loaded or towing a trailer.