YouTube is packed with content. Music, documentaries, ads, trailers, tutorials... the list is very long. Some channels are functional and specific, while others deliver pure madness. That leads us to ElectroBOOM, the channel belonging to Mehdi Sadaghhdar, a blend of engineer and mad scientist who performs all kinds of electricity experiments. On this occasion, his plan is to start a car with the energy of AA batteries... and not die in the attempt.
I have felt the bite of alternating current, the fury of the soldering iron, the dagger of hot solder, the hunger of hydrochloric acid for flesh, and the bloodthirst of every cutting tool that passed through my hands. How is it that I am still alive? No idea, but one thing is clear: My plan is not to repeat any of those situations... at least, not voluntarily. In the name of entertainment, many have risked their physical integrity, but few have managed to turn that risk into an educational process. One of the best examples we can find is the ElectroBOOM channel on YouTube, run by Mehdi Sadaghhdar. With over 37 million views and nearly half a million followers, we can say that Sadaghhdar knows very well what he is doing... although there are times when he conveys exactly the opposite message.
Starting a Car with AA Batteries
In his latest video, he shared with the public the idea of starting a car using AA batteries. If the acid battery in a car has a problem or its charge drops below a certain level, it becomes impossible for it to provide the energy for a proper ignition. By placing a total of twelve AA batteries in series along with a 1 Ohm resistor, Sadaghhdar managed to transfer enough charge to the car battery to make a single starting attempt. In theory, if AA batteries didn't have such high resistance, they could deliver the necessary current, but when transferring to the car battery, its much (much) lower resistance is exploited. Ten minutes later, it all comes down to turning the key. And true to his style, Sadaghhdar almost set the car on fire by connecting the batteries backwards.
As an alternative, Sadaghhdar suggests using cordless drill batteries, as they are capable of offering a higher current, and consequently, they would charge the car battery faster. In case someone decides to do the experiment (something I don't recommend, be careful, don't set anything on fire, etc.) and the car battery still doesn't respond, perhaps the problem is sulfate buildup or a damaged cell, demanding the definitive replacement of the battery. Want to see more of this guy? Start with the rectifier video, and the electric guitar one.
