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| | Gorilla
Electric Vehicles - Specifications
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Gorilla Tires and Wheels:
The Gorilla
can have many uses and personalities depending on tire and wheel selection.

Click to enlarge
Turf Tires
(far left)
20x7.0-8"
Made in USA
|
Knobby Tires
(on vehicle - left side)
20x7.0-8"
Made in USA |
Road Tires (wide)
(on vehicle - right side)
5.70-8"
Made in USA
"US standard"
Heavy duty |
Road Tires (narrow)
(far right)
5.70-8"
(imports) |
| Wide rims (w/1" offset) |
Wide rims (w/1" offset) |
Wide rims (w/1" offset) |
Narrow rims (centered) |
| Vehicle - 34.5" wide |
Vehicle - 34.8" wide |
Vehicle - 33.4" wide |
Vehicle - 30.5" wide |
Primarily golf
use, to minimized damage to turf.
Marginal traction off-road |
Designed primarily for
traction off-road, and easy turf
use. (Poor braking on paved surfaces.) |
Designed for use
on paved surfaces like streets, runways, etc.
Mild off-road use. |
Designed for use in close quarters on paved
surfaces, like warehouses, etc. |
| Paved surfaces
shortens tire life - but still good. |
Poor life on
paved surfaces.
( 350 lb. load capacity limits vehicle's load capacity.) |
Excellent tire life on
paved surfaces.
Thick carcass prevents lots of flats. |
Good tire life on
paved surfaces. |
Caution:
~ Never
exceed the maximum pressure or load capacity printed on the side of the tire.
Vehicle
capacity, traction, and ride quality are varied by adjusting air pressure.
All tires are tubeless type.
More information about wheels under
"Mechanical Specifications" below. |
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Gorilla Performance:
| Top Speed: |
e-ATV 24,
24 volt version: 12 to 14 Mph*
e-ATV 36,
36 volt version:
17 to 19 Mph*
* Varies with tire's rolling radius, and tire pressure. |
Range:
24 volt vehicle: |
25 to 35 miles with T-875, 8-volt batteries* |
| |
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|
36 volt vehicle: |
20 to 30 miles with 27TMH Group 27*
*(see discussion under 'batteries' below). |
| Turning Circle: |
15 to 17 feet, depending on
tires
the Gorilla turns within
this circle - pretty tight |
| Hill Climbing Ability: |
30 degrees + (less under load).
Caution Notes:
~ Extra
care should be taken with loads, as they could shift.
~ Also, loads raise the center of
gravity, which could cause instability and
overturn.
~ Avoid negotiating inclines on angles. - GO STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN
INCLINES. |
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Gorilla Dimensions:
| Width: |
30.5" to 34.8" (see tire table above) |
| Height: |
37.5" to 39" depending on tires
(to
top of handlebars) |
| Length: |
70" (the Long Bed
adds
11" to
this length) |
| Wheelbase: |
49.5" |
Front and Rear Track:
(tire center to tire center) |
27.8" (with wide, offset wheels)
25.8" (with centered, narrow wheels) |
| Ground Clearance: |
6" to 7.5" depending on tires
7"+ with turf or knobby tires - plenty ! |
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Gorilla Mechanical Specifications:
| Brakes: |
6.3" cast iron drums on both rear wheels,
self-adjusting, non-asbestos linings.
Dual levers on handlebars (motorcycle type),
either or both levers control both rear
brakes.Now with "REGEN" Braking ! read
more
|
| Parking Brake: |
Hand operated automotive lever type (locking
ratchet) to rear wheels. |
| Front Suspension: |
Independent, unequal length control arms.
Transverse leaf spring. Urethane bushings. |
| Rear Suspension: |
Live axle with leaf springs. |
| Frame: |
Welded space frame of steel tubing,
powder coated. |
| Rear Differential: |
~14.5:1 helical gears (hi-efficiency),
double reduction, oil bath, completely sealed aluminum housing.
No belts, chains, adjustments, maintenance, or leaks. |
| Steering: |
Direct, with permanently lubed rod ends. |
| Wheels: |
8" steel, welded and powder coated,
5.375" wide with 1" offset. (Narrow vehicle: 3.75" wide - centered.) |
| Wheel Bolt Pattern: |
4 bolts on 4" bolt circle (1/2"-20 bolts, plated 3/4" hex-nuts). |
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Gorilla Electrical Specifications:
Electric Motor:
|
Traction type DC, SepEX
(Separately Excited), heavy duty, "H-class" thermal
rating, enclosed (for corrosion and foreign object
protection).
Direct coupled (splined) to rear
axle (no need for a clutch). |
| (24 volt system)
|
6.5 HPpeak horsepower (24 volt version) ~4000 RPM
|
| (36 volt system) |
8.5 HPpeak, (36 volt version), ~5000 RPM
|
| Torque |
25 ft-lbs of torque from zero RPM.
That's about 375 foot-pounds of torque at the
rear wheels. |
| Watts: |
That's about 5000, and
6500 watts respectively,
(compare to the 250 to 400 watt scooters and
bicycles).
The
Gorilla is not a toy.
|
| Electronic Motor Controller: |
Curtis
(environmentally sealed and heatsinked) |
| Accelerator: |
Hand twist control on handlebar (potentiometer
type)
"fly-by-wire" (no cable to lubricate or break).
Provides signal to controller for infinitely variable
motor speed. |
| Circuit Breaker: |
Thermal (current) sensing type, time delay action, manual
reset (under seat). |
| Charger: |
Lester ferro-resonant, SCR controlled, 15 amp equivalent
output to batteries - tapering, completely automatic (i,v,i,
and dv/dt
sensing type), UL
approved.
Charging time: up to 10 hours (depending on depth of
discharge)
Input: 110 volt AC, 60 Hertz, single phase, 5 amps maximum.
Export Version Available (90 to 250 volts, 50 or 60 hertz).
See charger notes below for much more information. |
| Contactor: |
100 amp continuous rating (sealed).
(used for battery
isolation) |
Timed Disconnect:
(safety feature) |
Disconnects battery when the accelerator is not
used for more than ~ 5 minutes. (Reset with
keyswitch) |
Charger Interlock
(safety feature) |
Kills or prevents starting the vehicle
when the 110 volt charger is plugged into the wall outlet. |
Reduced Speed Reverse
(safety feature) |
50% of forward speed.. |
Reverse Gear Annunciator
(safety feature) |
Beeps when reverse gear is energized (about
90db).
NOTE: A 107 db version is an
option (for industrial use). |
Emergency Kill Button:
(safety feature - OPTION) |
Disconnects battery (electronically).
[Red Button on
dash]
Reset by turning the keyswitch "off" then back to
"on". |
| Instrumentation: |
~ Curtis LED Battery Charge Status
Indicator (decrementing with 10 LEDs).
~ Instrument panel Green "Power-On" light
(green for 'ready-to-go').
NOW INCLUDES ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTICS
(signals with the dash-mounted,
"power-on" light) |
Keyswitch
|
Marine rated, sealed, waterproof and dustproof.
|
Forward/Reverse
Switch: |
Marine rated, sealed, waterproof and dustproof. |
| Horn |
24 volt, 95db, [Yellow
raised button on dash]. |
| Lighting (options) |
All 24 volt (except
headlights are 36 volt on the 36 volt model) |
Turn Signals and Hazard Lights
(option) |
Self-canceling. Hazard lights flash
until turned off. |
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Gorilla Weights and
Capacities:
| Gorilla
Weight (net): |
351 pounds (160 kg) (without
batteries, or accessories) |
| Battery Weight: |
8 Volt Golf Cart Batteries:
3x63 = 189
pounds (24 volt
version)
12 Volt (27 Series) batteries:
3x60 = 180 pounds (36 volt
version)
With
the three 8-volt batteries, the Gorilla will total about 540 pounds, add another 17 to 22 pounds for
beds or racks.
Caution
Note:
~ Remember
that the batteries provide "overturn ballast". So, in heavy-duty
applications, we recommend the max battery weight for added safety. |
GVWR:
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) |
1190 pounds (540 kg) (do
not exceed tire rating, see knobby specs). |
| Load Capacity: |
650 pounds (includes driver weight)
That would be a 450 pounds rear payload (assuming a 200 lb driver).
The front can carry 200 lb (if the overall GVWR is not
exceeded).
Caution Notes:
~ Reduce speed under load and exercise increased
caution.
Braking distances will be greater.
~ Loads can shift. Make sure cargo is adequately secured.
~ Center of gravity will
probably be higher, so it will be easier to overturn the vehicle.
~ Never exceed tire capacity stated on sidewalls. |
| Towing Capacity: |
4000 pounds (on level ground)
Caution Notes:
~ Towed loads greater than
the Gorilla's weight, should provide
their own braking.
~ Tongue weight should never exceed 250 pounds or
the vehicle or tire's rated capacity (whichever is lower).
~ Towbars should be parallel with the ground.
~ Capacity should be
greatly reduced on inclines. (Braking power will be greatly reduced
on down hills, longer braking distances will be required.
Instability could cause rollovers or jack-knifing.)
~ Inclines should only be negotiated at right angles (straight up and down
the incline). |
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Gorilla
Battery and Charger Information:
The On-Board Chargers are designed to automatically charge
lead-acid batteries.
The US version chargers (110v, 60 hertz)
plug into any grounded outlet and are UL approved. All versions are "isolated and grounded," have a
"soft-start," and are SCR regulated to prevent
excessive or runaway current draw.
24-volt: The 24 volt charger has a switch
for choosing between sealed and flooded charging algorithms.
36-volt: The 36 volt charger (at this
time) can only be used for charging flooded lead-acid batteries.
An export version is available:
The
24 volt export version can be
used with either 50 or 60 hertz, and from 90-125/180-250 volts (switch-able
ranges). (A female receptacle on the
charger is the same standard as used on all computers, so that cords used in any
country can be purchased locally.)
Battery Selection:
Suggested batteries
include 8 volt deep cycle "golf cart"
batteries, or 12 volt deep cycle batteries (24, 27, 29, 30, or 31 series).
We
feel the optimal battery configuration for the 24 volt Gorilla
is three 8-volt golf cart batteries. These batteries provide the best
compromise of performance, range, life, and economy
(see range analysis below),
and provide three to five years of use (with
proper maintenance).
(These
batteries have been used in Club Car golf carts for almost ten years.)
Battery
Capacity Chart and Range Analysis
| Type |
Minutes @ 25 amps |
Minutes @ 75 amps |
Weight (pounds) |
Trojan T-875, 8 volt
standard on e-ATV 24 |
300 |
75 |
63 x 3 batteries = 189 |
Trojan 27 series, 27TMH,
12 volt
standard on e-ATV 36 |
200 |
52 |
60 x 3 batteries = 180 |
| Special order OPTIONS: |
|
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|
| Trojan T-890, 8 volt |
360 |
90 |
69 x 3 batteries |
| Trojan 31 series, 31XHS
or SCS225, 12 volt |
225 |
57 |
67 x 2 batteries |
| Trojan T1275, 12 volt |
290 |
102(@56
amps) |
82 x 2
batteries |
The
24-volt Gorilla draws about 40 amps* from the batteries
(at top speed, and on level ground).
Looking at the data for the T-875 batteries; you could average the 300 and 75 minute
ratings (at 25 and 75 amps respectively)
to get 187.5 minutes at 50 amps. (This
is a conservative approach (we know about Peukert's Curve)).
Divide the 187 minutes by 60 minutes (1 hour), and see that the Gorilla
should run for over 3 hours at top speed (3 hours X
15 Mph = 45
miles). When we consider terrain, hills, turns, stop and go driving, load,
etc;
the Gorilla
should still easily get a 25 to 35 mile range with the 8-volt batteries.
This has been experimentally confirmed with field testing. You
can use this same analysis to see what to expect from other batteries.
* The 36-volt version pulls about 50 amps at top speed.
Hence, less range, ~20 to 25 miles of flat cruising. Other
Battery Factors:
Sealed vs. Flooded:
Sealed batteries
require no periodic maintenance, but will cost more initially, have less range,
and a shorter life span
(in years).
We challenge sealed battery manufacturers to prove us wrong.
Flooded batteries will need to be "topped-off" with distilled water
every one to three months depending on outside temperature, relative humidity (more
frequent watering is required in desert climates), depth of
discharge, frequency of use, and charger power (Gorilla's
"smart" charger is designed to minimize water usage). 8-volt
deep cycle ~ versus ~ 12-volt
"quasi-deep cycle" batteries:
The 8-volt battery is a true deep cycle battery (just like 6-volt golf and industrial vehicle
batteries).
You can expect the 8-volt batteries to have a life of
between 3 and 6 years (depending on harshness of use, depth of discharge,
frequency of use, and proper maintenance). We call the 12 volt deep cycle batteries "quasi" because they are a
compromise between a deep cycle battery and a starter battery (there
are a few exceptions and you'll pay for them). You can expect a life
of from as little as one year, and up to three or four years.
Life of the 12 volt
batteries depends on the factors listed above, and the initial quality of the
battery.
Deep cycle batteries are more expensive to manufacture.
Their plates should be thicker than starter batteries, and other costly elements (such
as antimony) are added to prolong their life. Some battery manufacturers
don't spend the extra money. The Trojan 12-volt deep cycle batteries listed above
are a good
compromise for people who don't need the range of the 8-volt batteries, but want
more speed.
*Note: Only two (of most brands) of the group 31
batteries will fit in the Gorilla. Also, only two of the T1275
batteries will fit.
These options are limited to the 24 volt vehicles. |
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