Observe the electric current from 400 car batteries ignite a suspension spring.

      styropyro via YouTube

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      What do you do with 400 lead-acid car batteries? Naturally, you connect them together and unleash their combined current on various objects. That’s precisely what Drake Anthony, known as styropyro on YouTube, did. The outcome was a two-hour video showcasing how different items react to extreme electrical power.

      A notable moment occurs at the 1:16:20 mark, where a steel suspension spring is attached to the battery array. It glows a vibrant orange and ignites before ultimately disintegrating. The other items either faced immediate destruction or managed the current sufficiently that there was no visible impact. A chain nearly glowed, momentarily resembling something touched by Ghost Rider.

      The key distinction between the spring and the rest was its length, which allowed it to function as a resistor. As the current passed through it, it decreased from 8,000 amps to 1,000 amps by the time it melted, slowing the reaction enough to create those impressive visual effects. It’s a stark reminder that even a piece of steel designed to support part of a car can be made to glow and catch fire, clearly placing this endeavor in the "do not attempt this at home" category.

      400 car batteries connected together!!

      Lead-acid car batteries were selected due to their capability to deliver substantial current over extended periods. The setup of 400 batteries weighs 28,000 pounds and releases its current through a custom switch and connectors crafted from over 1,000 pounds of copper plates. This copper is essential for managing the current, which also generates strong magnetic fields that necessitated careful cable arrangement to harness power from the array.

      It may seem like a lot of effort for unconventional pyrotechnics, but it's certainly a better use for these batteries than dumping them into the ocean. The entire video is definitely worth watching if you have the time. While it’s not focused on automotive topics, you are sure to learn something from Anthony's unique experiment. We can all be thankful for his expertise in executing such a project so that none of us have to take the risk. I have a feeling the results could have been much more disastrous if someone less knowledgeable had attempted it.

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