# What should we do with our 2005 gem car? **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [October 2, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204 "2019-10-02T15:17:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/1 "2019-10-02T15:17:00Z")
We have a 2005 Gem E2, when they were made by chrysler. It needs new batteries, but they may end up costing $1800. I am thinking of alternatives. I am thinking of selling or donating it to some good cause. It’s really fun to zip around in it, and it has new brakes, so it’s like getting a new gem car for $1800, but that’s still a lot of money. Any thoughts? ---
**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:** [October 2, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/2 "2019-10-02T15:34:14Z")
Put in some cheap batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/3 "2019-10-03T15:43:35Z")
Which are cheap? I have been looking at group 31, and they are all around $300 a piece. I guess we could go with some kind of regular lead acid like a trojan, but they are still around $200 a piece. Napa has some batteries, and that would make it a lot easier, but I’m not sure which ones would work. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/4 "2019-10-03T16:19:06Z")
I think Napa are good. @Old_Houseboater has posted his recommendations and results. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/5 "2019-10-03T16:38:17Z")
ORILLEY AUTO 31DCM $96 a copy over the past 5 years I hve purchased 43 for my rebuilds. I have 7 in my Hot Rod 2 seater. They will give 10% discount if you are a veteran, NOTE: NOT 31DCMJ These are not the same battery. You MUST set your charger to flooded. ---
**Author:** ![RussJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a87d85/32.png) [@RussJ](https://community.electricforum.com/u/RussJ)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/6 "2019-10-03T16:54:05Z")
You can put in any battery. The group 31 lead/acid deep cycle “trolling motor” marine batteries work good, but you will have to maintain the water level to make them last. ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/7 "2019-10-03T17:27:31Z")
Thanks! I’ll check out the 31 DCM batteries and see if they are around! ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/8 "2019-10-03T17:43:04Z")
Are the O’reilly’s flooded batts? They have them and I am thinking of getting them put in. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/9 "2019-10-03T17:53:01Z")
They said that they are maintenance free, so I suppose that means that they are flooded, but you don’t have to mess with them. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/10 "2019-10-03T18:09:26Z")
They’re idiots, there is even a sticker over the caps that says to “remove to check water” (or something like that). The 31DCM is a flooded battery and FLAs need maintenance periodically. The caps are flush w/ a slot and require a wide blade to rotate (I use a bartenders speed beer bottle opener). They kind of look like a maintenance free, but aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![DonnieInNC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/donnieinnc/32/553_2.png) [@DonnieInNC](https://community.electricforum.com/u/DonnieInNC)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/11 "2019-10-06T04:02:47Z")
Stay away from O’reilly’s batteries. They are a waste of money and will go bad within a year. That was my experience with them… if you decide to sell it let me know. I’m in the market for another one… 🕶🇺🇸 ---
**Author:** ![dougl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b19c9b/32.png) [@dougl](https://community.electricforum.com/u/dougl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/12 "2019-10-06T15:58:33Z")
if you are near San Diego, CA and are considering selling it, let me know. I’ve heard the 2005 and up ride better than the 2002 we have now. ---
**Author:** ![Tallmom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@Tallmom](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Tallmom)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/13 "2019-10-06T21:31:24Z")
I have a 2007 Gem 4 with new batteries for sale in Encinitas. Pm me if you’re still looking for one. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/14 "2019-10-07T15:42:01Z")
Hmm I have purchased over (40) 31DCM batteries from Orillys and never got a dud. I have 7 of them in my 2 seater. YOU MUST SET YOUR CHARGER UP FOR FLOODED!!! Rodney ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/15 "2019-10-07T17:06:12Z")
Thanks!!! We’re going with the 31 DCM’s and we can get them right here in our town. It’s going to make everything a lot easier. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/16 "2019-10-07T17:07:14Z")
Did you top off the battery water after purchasing? They ship them at the minimum water level for hazmat reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Revi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/revi/32/441_2.png) [@Revi](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Revi)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/17 "2019-10-07T17:08:19Z")
I’ll check it out when we get them. We have two flooded batts for our solar backup light system, so we’re familiar with them. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Goz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/goz/32/5117_2.png) [@Goz](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Goz)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/18 "2019-10-07T20:28:35Z")
Check the water level after charging and only use distilled water to fill. ---
**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:** [October 7, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/19 "2019-10-07T21:39:33Z")
Yes, Don’t ever fill a battery unless it is fully charged . ---
**Author:** ![Lynnmaxim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e99b99/32.png) [@Lynnmaxim](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Lynnmaxim)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204/20 "2019-10-13T19:16:32Z")
Revi, where do you live? [Next page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/what-should-we-do-with-our-2005-gem-car/17204.md?page=2)