Hello everybody, I’m new here. I recently purchased a 2007 Gem E4. It had been damaged and parked for many years. I’ve repaired the damage and installed new batteries, 8 100 amp hour batteries. I was delighted to see that the car only had 505 miles on it. Everything works great except for the battery icon on the display. All 10 bars blink on and off continually weather while charging or or running. Any time the key is turned on. It doesn’t show me the state of charge. I live in Michigan so running the car has been limited. I did run the batteries down until the turtle came on. Recharged the batteries, no change on the display, still blinking. At the end of the charge cycle the charger red light signal was giving me 2 blinks, over charge/undercharge. I checked the pack, it showed 80 volts. 4 of the batteries showed 13.3 volts. one was 12.9 another 13.4. Do I have a battery problem? Incompatible with the Gem?? Seems information is limited on Gem Cars. I can always install a battery meter and not worry about the display, everything else works. However if it’s a battery problem I can return them. I would like the car to be working properly.
Hmmm… This looks familiar.
Hey Terry,
I see you found your way over here to e-forums. I have been helping you on PM /FB Gem car group.
installed 8) 100 amp hour batteries.
Most likely there are only 6 batteries?
The charger ending with a Red2 flash may still need to be addressed but does it end this way every time? I think you said you were running profile #14?
Did I suggest that low battery could use a boost? There is a chance it is driving your charger a bit too long and it is timing out. I think that is a different error code, (not a Red2) but it might be some odd software loaded on your charger making it time out with that code.
If that battery does not come up, then swap that one out.
In any case- This is not affecting your display.
I really think this may be a problem with your PSDM or with your display. We should go through the settings and see if it has been messed with.
To others that may want to jump in, Yes- I had him reset the SOC in the sevret menu. It does not affect what is going on here.
The charger is running the 14 profile. I have reset the SOC but it doesn’t hold. Within a few hours its back to 00. As far as the charger is concerned, I’ve only charged it once. Here in Michigan the weather hasn’t been cooperating. Cold rain and snow off and on. The batteries, 6 12volt, are 100 AH gel batteries. The Gem runs fine, everything else works.
Byron, isn’t 100ah pretty marginal for a Gem? Did you see specs? Need 3c+?
Are they true gel cells that can charge with dq, not agm?
20 minute runtime ah rating?
Random example:
I did not go down the path of his battery choice yet. I was trying to solve why his SOC/Battery Bar Display was not working properly. It is something I have not seen before.
If I understand correctly here are the details.
@Terry2 - Do I have this correct?)
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The display never shows more than one flashing red bar.
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The interlock plug shows up when plugged in, but the display never shows a progressive stair step when charging (poss shunt damaged?).
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The charger is wired up on the correct side of the shunt, (but probably should verify this again)
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The SOC number can be reset via the dash menu, but does not change the amount of battery bars on screen.
Interesting observations uncovered in our last chat:
- Initial number found in SOC was 0. Raised to 99 (no effect on display)
- going back into SOC to see if the new number was not saved, found a lower number in that position, AND it was also slowly dropping as he was viewing it (sitting in the driveway).
Very odd behavior. Terry bought this car with dead batteries. Who knows what it has been through.
What next?
- Possible PSDM/Shunt Issue? PSDM needs close inspection.
- Possible Display issue? - Parameters need to be checked
- Bad data/no comms between Display and shunt? Pull/inspect/reinstall J2 and J3 on the PSDM. Sometimes plugs just need a skritch to clean the contacts.
This is what I know. Gem purchased with no batteries. 6 100 ah 12 volt gel batteries installed. Display shows 505 miles. Battery level on the display blinks on and off, all bars. The car runs fine. Ran the car until the the turtle light came on. Plugged the car in and let it charge. Charger algorithm set at 14. After charging red light on charger blinking 2 times. Voltage check, 80 volts. 4 batteries at 13.3 volts 1 battery at 13.4 volts, one at 12.9 volts. Charger is on the correct side of the shunt according to the Gem schematic. I have reset the SOC to 99 after charging. Within minutes the SOC numbers are dropping. About an hour or so the number is back to 00. Battery voltage at 79.9. The interlock light comes on when charging, the battery display blinks, all bars. Whenever the Gem is powered up the battery display blinks, all bars.I disconnected the charger completely, battery display blinks, all bars. Charger installation, negative to negative on motor control, positive to battery side of contactor, white wire to temp sensor green to interlock.
@Terry2 - It has been 4 days.
What is your status? Anything new to report?
Removed and cleaned all molded plugs and contacts on PSDM & Display. No change.
I have checked everything…twice. Everything works except the battery display. Also, after charging the red light on the charger is blinking twice. The charger algorithm is at 14. That is set for gel batteries. Checking the battery voltage level, it shows 80 volts. I have no performance problem, hesitation, jerking, stopping. I think that rules out the shunt. Upon further investigation I find that battery problems can cause the battery icon to blink. I’ve been told by a number of people that the batteries can’t be the problem but I still have my doubts.