Polaris Ranger EV 1st ride

This was the 1st ride on my new 2010 Polaris Ranger EV where I had a chance to make a video of my trip. I'm also making some videos of a winch install.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2010
• Polaris
• Ranger
• EV
• ATV
• UTV

[kz1300club]

I started a Polaris Ranger EV discussion group for us over on Yahoo -

autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/p­­olarisrangerev/

[kz1300club]

On the "max speed in M (max range)" question, I don't know the actual speed it will go in each setting. You'd have to drive a car next to it and compare. You can tell that there's a difference in speed between the 3 settings, and a difference between the amount of electric regeneration or regen in each. With "L" giving you by far and very noticeably the most regen. So much so in "L" mode that you might not need to use your brake at all even, except for a coming to a complete stop.

[kz1300club]

Secondly I would guess that your maximum range would include a lot of stopping along the way and not just one continuous ride. That way the batteries wouldn't get hot and they'd have time to recuperate some. Like a trip over a few days time for example, and not just one straight run till the batteries died. When you discharge batteries a little and stop, and keep discharging them in that manner, you'll get more total power out of them then a straight discharge till dead would give you.

[kz1300club]

From what use I've placed on this EV so far, I can't even guess how you could possibly achieve the advertised 50 miles max range. But it would be done in "M" or 'max range' mode with the axle unlocked or "Turf Mode", as that would generate you lowest amp draw.

[fanjules]

@sycotuning Now *THAT* is seriously useful!!

[sycotuning]

@fanjules Electric motors have all torque available at 0 rpm so you are correct it is not a matter of gearing but a matter of motor timing and such (map is a correct term). You just "flip" the switch when you want to get Low, MaxRange or High "ratio". The only thing to remember is the speed limit of each map. If you go from Low to High it is not a problem, but if you go from High to Low you'll feel some "engine breaking" so I would suggest flipping at low speed for smoothness.

[fanjules]

@sycotuning Lot's of interesting information here. :) I recall a guy at Polaris telling me the EV has no actual gearbox, it's just a different map for the motor for each "ratio". Thus I wonder that - unlike the Polaris gas-engined equiverlants - can you change "ratio" whilst in motion or do you have to stop?

[sycotuning]

@kz1300club Two things, Lead Acid batteries like "opportunistic charging" so charge them whenever you can to prolong their life. Secondly, don't forget that the batteries get better with more cycles. When new they provide at most 80% efficiency and range, 95% after 30 cycles and 100% after 45+ cycles, so the best is coming !! I'm at 15 cycles and I notice a slight improvement already. Also don't forget to check battery fluid level monthly.

[sycotuning]

@kz1300club Lead Acid batteries don't like stop and start because of Amps draw and Peukert effect, so maximum range would be achieved in long sessions in MaxRange. I keep a logbook of I my rides and stats I get confirm that.

[sycotuning]

@fanjules Max speeds are: High=25mph, MaxRange=15mph and Low=10mph all written in the manual but also tested by me with a GPS. Maximum range was tested at Polaris facility on an oval dirt track in MaxRange (15mph) during one continuous session and they got up to 50 miles ! Regenerative braking is: High and MaxRange=Minimum, Low=Maximum once again in my manual.