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Battery Replacement Advice Requested

Posted on 3/20/25 at 4:44 pm
Posted by Slingscode
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
2066 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 4:44 pm
My background is IT, hence my username. :)
I have a 2021 JD Electric Gator (TE). It's Lead Acid batteries have gone bad.
I would like to replace them with Lithium Ion.

I can't confirm, but it appears that the Gator requires peak amperage of 400A. How can I go about confirming this? Hard to get wiring diagrams and I have had virtually no success searching the net.

Anyone else attempt this type of conversion?

Any advice would be appreciated.

TIA
Posted by good_2_geaux
Member since Feb 2015
778 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 5:32 pm to
Have you tried calling your local JD dealership? They have always been helpful from my past experience.

Seems like you should be able to obtain some sort of service manual online with the make/model.
Posted by Slingscode
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
2066 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 5:36 pm to
Thanks for the response.
I have spoken to my local dealership. They will not do the conversion.
They indicated that they don't see many electric gators and that he couldn't help me.

I was certainly disappointed in that response.
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
37692 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 6:27 pm to
I assume it has a built-in charging system? The battery replacement itself should be simple if they are 12-volt batteries tied together in series and/or parallel.

The Charging circuit will be the rub. if they have a board-level charging system that is part of the overall control circuitry, it may be more difficult to untangle. If it has a separate charger, it may be suited for lithium batteries or you could just use an external charger that is set up to charge Lithium batteries.

Pictures might help.
Posted by ItzMe1972
Member since Dec 2013
11404 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 6:28 pm to
Start here:

JDFORUM

Then there is also Perplexity.AI to ask the question for additional information.
Posted by Slingscode
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
2066 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 7:23 pm to
Thanks guys. Much appreciated.

I think I'll give it a try. :)
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
58370 posts
Posted on 3/20/25 at 10:50 pm to
Why not just match or exceed the cold cranking amps (CCA) rating of your current battery? Your current battery’s CCA rating should be written on the label.

FWIW, I really don’t see the point in converting to Lithium ion battery in something like a vehicle where weight is not a big deal…but that is not what you asked.
This post was edited on 3/20/25 at 10:58 pm
Posted by Slingscode
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
2066 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 7:42 am to
Spankum,
My reasons are that Lithium Ion batteries:
1. Last longer
2. Are lighter
3. Require less maintenance
4. Cost less
5. Perform better than Lead Acid
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
69057 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 7:52 am to
None of that is really relevant with a lawnmower. The cheaper and better option would be a replacement lead acid battery and a good single bank charger/maintainer.

As stated, charging is the problem and isn't easily modified on most small engines. It'll be far more expensive than it is worth.

Eta: nevermind, i am dumb.
This post was edited on 3/21/25 at 7:54 am
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
43086 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 7:54 am to
quote:

small engines
OP said it’s an “electric gator” I took that to mean it has a motor not an engine
Posted by Slingscode
Houston, TX
Member since Sep 2011
2066 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 9:12 am to
Right - It's a Gator TE (Total Electric). No engine, just a motor.
Posted by Dallaswho
Texas
Member since Dec 2023
2463 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 11:49 am to
Check out battery hookup or green tech auto. I guess you’d want 3-6kwh 13s in the $200-500 range plus $100 bms/solenoid plus $15-150 charger. Really just depends on what you do with it. It’d be hard to burn up 1kwh trolling around the block or to your deer stand, but you may have a huge ranch or want to add a big inverter for power tools and such. Lithium is a no-brainer. Way smaller and lighter for the same capacity. I doubt you need more than 200a output and a 48v/13s pack in the 3-6 kWh range would likely be capable of 1000+ so no worries there.

Here is a killer 14s 10 kWh pack for $500. Only 300a but that’ll work. Not sure if fits.
LINK

Here’s a 12s 5 kWh for $250. That was just from less than a minute of looking. I’d try to stick to 13s if possible but these work too.
LINK

Here’s the 13s pack I purchased over a year ago for a DIY cart and I love it. Surprised it’s still available. 3kwh $200. Easy to modify.
LINK

Here are the first 13s packs I ever used. Super high quality. Not super dense but very high power. You can get 10 for $150 to make 3 kWh and fit any shape. You’d just need a lot of wire and solder to fit the BMS. These were unavailable for a year or I never would have considered anything else. I’m actually ordering three more just because I see they’re available again.
LINK
This post was edited on 3/21/25 at 7:19 pm
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
26909 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 12:38 pm to
quote:

Slingscode


So, you're the guy that bought that?

Just kidding, kinda.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
58370 posts
Posted on 3/21/25 at 1:37 pm to
quote:

Right - It's a Gator TE (Total Electric). No engine, just a motor.


I did not realize this!
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