# Understanding lithium for Gems **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [July 25, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477 "2020-07-25T18:52:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Eingarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@Eingarrett](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Eingarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/122 "2026-06-09T01:08:48Z")
Whoops, thank you, much appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Eingarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@Eingarrett](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Eingarrett)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/123 "2026-06-09T01:14:59Z")
Wow, I just read through the responses. Yes, should of came here first. I’ll work with it and let you know how it turns out. I did charge and balance all six batteries before hooking them up. I did see the manufacture recommends that this be done once a year to promote longer battery life. I’ll post again when I know more. Thanks for the help. ---
**Author:** ![JarJarJava](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/jarjarjava/32/15158_2.png) [@JarJarJava](https://community.electricforum.com/u/JarJarJava)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/124 "2026-06-09T02:40:35Z")
You had me at “Enjoybot” ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/125 "2026-06-09T03:34:50Z")
> You had me at “Enjoybot” Easy now!! This is not a time/place/topic to bring up your Heavy Metal and Jack flash backs. ---
**Author:** ![Ojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@Ojo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Ojo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/126 "2026-08-14T13:56:14Z")
While searching for Samsung SDI cells for my new Gem project, I came across these nice NMC cells on AliExpress. The size and the specs seemed to be ideal for my Gem e2. 22s in one row or even 24s should fit in the middle part under the seat easily ![IMG_2026-07-14-14-46-27-967](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/7/a/7a14337453d836376bb3648d16a061c3894da2cc.jpeg) ![IMG_2026-07-14-14-39-27-541](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/f/d/fda3ddfd3172d21f6fd7b6190b80966a28aa00bf.jpeg) ![Screenshot_20260524-125435](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/electricforum/original/3X/0/4/0439c5e061c458f927f0b96899a983616ac125d7.jpeg) . The offer was 24 pcs., brand new, without tax + free shipping ~ 1100 USD. Cells arrived mid of July and came with bus bars + epoxy plates. I’d share this as an idea for a DIY solution. With a JK BMS attached, it should give a really strong battery, not too expensive. Ojo ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 2:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/127 "2026-08-14T14:08:55Z")
Use 22s imo. We have sold 100s of 22s sdi 94ah batteries with JK. 23 or 24 if you are a hotrod guy. Do not press them side by side without insulation. Case is B+. Bottom as well. Chinese made SDI use flimsy shrink wrap. Looking at picture, these may be ok. But be careful! I like them. ---
**Author:** ![LithiumGods](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/lithiumgods/32/672_2.png) [@LithiumGods](https://community.electricforum.com/u/LithiumGods)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/128 "2026-08-14T14:51:39Z")
insulate for sure and compress them some so they wont swell. 22s is sweet spot unless you want all out power ---
**Author:** ![Ojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@Ojo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Ojo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/129 "2026-08-14T16:29:06Z")
Thank you to the experts here, I couldn’t have done this w/o reading that much in the lithium threads before. I’ve built a 16s 48v LFP battery for my RXV about 3.5 yrs ago, so had some time to learn the basics. The AC RXV with lithium and Navitas controller is a real rocket, I’ve set the speed to 30 mph but, it would go 40 + mph easily. If the GEM will reach that, it would be nice (30). I’ll let the NMC’s in the box for some time, have to get the GEM back on the road first. For now, I have two cheap 60ah 24s / 72v drop in LFP batteries to power it up. Thanks again Ojo ---
**Author:** ![AssyRequired](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/assyrequired/32/7621_2.png) [@AssyRequired](https://community.electricforum.com/u/AssyRequired)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/130 "2026-08-14T20:09:15Z")
Don’t over complicate things. One 60ah LFP will get the car on the road and will have close to the range of the old Lead Acid pack. Then you have time to build/work the bugs out of your NMC pack. ---
**Author:** ![Ojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@Ojo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Ojo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477/131 "2026-08-14T21:29:45Z")
Currently I’ve connected only one of the LFP batteries. My first plan was to use them both in parallel for a higher discharge rate, but shipping from China took a long time ( about 3 months ) and I was afraid, they’ll never arrive. So I’ve ordered the NMC cells next. Now I have them all and may sell some of them later. The drop in batteries are also nice, metal case, JBD smart BMS and a display with on/off switch. Thanks for the comment, I’ve read a lot of your posts, great technical support! Ojo [Previous page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/understanding-lithium-for-gems/19477.md?page=6)