-So, here is my sad tale of woe. I purchased this Gem car knowing nothing about them. I was told that the batteries were bad, and it just needed new batteries . . . . Two part question:
What year is my car? I have been unable to figure out what year the Gem car is. There is supposed to be a data plate on the roof, passenger side, fwd, but it didn’t come with a roof. There are stickers showing E 580, but searches for this model yield nothing. I need to find a wiring diagram/parts manual for this car.
It is a 48v car, I replaced the batteries, and nothing, zilch, nada.
Here is what I have done. I am planning on converting it to LiFePO4 batteries. I purchase 4 LiTime 12v, 100ah batteries. I also purchased a suitable LiFePO4 battery charger. I removed the existing battery charger, which is for FLA (flooded lead acid) batteries. I also purchased a new battery SOC monitor, and new step down transformer (48v to 12v) for accessories. Nothing has been installed except the batteries.
In my wanderings, I found that a circuit board is loose from base, under the dash. I am not sure what that board/component does.
Can anyone point me in the right direction with:
Wile it says GEM all over various body panels, the under dash components show that it has roots to a 48v drive system. I also see a couple batteries under the seat, but also see a peek at a couple that may also be in under the hood?
It is confusing for sure. The initial roll out for a bunch of these cars were 48v (around 98/99) but were initially called a TransGo. The drive system was more related to a golf cart. It’s what they had.
Then as GEM changed/took more of a footing, they switched over to a 72v system.
Perhaps what you have is a very early crossover between the two.
Either that or some creative individual had a TG with bad plastics and a dead gem car with good plastics, and made one car out of the two.
What you need to ask yourself is: What is the intended use of this car?
Having such an old root/base in the 48v world makes it difficult to find parts for, so it might be better to start over and update a bunch of stuff.
Be careful going down that rabbit hole. I’m sorry to say, whatever you do to this car, the final result is still not going to be worth very much.
I appreciate the comments. It is indeed a 48 volt cart, with two batteries under the seat, and two under the front “hood”.
If I can get this cart running with the expenditure of batteries, charger, and whatnot, I’m in. Just use for around the neighborhood. The funny thing is I can’t find ANY reference to a model E 580 anywhere!
The battery charger was on the left (pax) side outboard of the two batteries under the seat. It looks like there would have have been enough room for all 4 batts under the seat along with the batt charger though. It also appears to be designed that way, not retro fitted after the fact. The only reason I can figure to put the two fwd is that maybe with two sets of clubs, the center of gravity was too far aft?
I don’t know about the rest of it but LiTime is not on board with putting 4 of those batteries in series they tell me. I tried to do that for a 36v cart I have and they said not good. You may want to inquire with LiTime.
The last 7 digits of the VIN should be stamped in to one of the transverse crossmembers that support the bench seat.
The leading characters are all the same for gems iirc.
Somewhere i have, at the least, electrical schematics of these. I’ll look tomorrow
The removed charger is a 48 volt, and the motor has FOUR large wires going into it. Need to get a better look to see if there are smaller wires, and not sure where the speed sensor is yet. I’ll try and find that next time I’m out there.
On Batteries, there are “trays” for 4 batteries under the drivers seat, and two up front, but no room for a typical sized charger if you put all 4 batteries under the seat. I got the cart with the batteries removed, but the wiring is set up for two batts under seat, and two under hood. The part that I showed in the last two pics have to do with the reversing contactor I believe. Two of the plug in terminals need to be re-soldiered to the back side of the circuit board.
with the wiring that came from the charger, I can’t figure out which went to the reed switch for the charger interlock, but definitely need to figure that out before I can troubleshoot further.
Please keep the thoughts coming, as golf carts are definitely new to me, and I’m stumbling around blind here, just trying to identify parts . ..
Just trying to get as much info as I can on the cart. Still haven’t decided whether it’s worth it to repair, of just junk it and try something more mainstream like a Club Car, or EZGO.
Go for the minimums.
You know what controller it has, look up what it needs to get the car rolling.
Check/clean out motor.
Make sure brushes are free/not stuck. Clean Comms.
Make it safe
Check brakes.
All four wheel bearings.
Brake system - free, not jammed, not leaking,
Ball joints
Axles - CV’s, boots.
Steering rack - free smooth, not binding, boots not cracked.
Then go for the ancillary systems.
12v sub system (headlights, tail lights, etc.)
Safety loops like hand brake, charger interlock,
Appreciate the offer, but I’m going to keep playing with this one. I’ve got my eye on another cart as well (not a Gem) that I may buy because it has the convertable flatbed in the back for around the yard.
