Bigger battery?!

[Lewisp12]

Hello guys,

A mate of mine has an old Clio knocking about in a yard, and we are thinking about stripping it and using it as an autograss car. It's been stood for some time and does not have a battery? We don't fancy buying a battery just to see if it starts...

Since I've got a spare battery from a Mercedes A Class at home, i said we can use that to see if it starts, but i have no doubt that the battery it's much bigger and powerful than the battery that's supposed to go into the Clio.

Shall I go ahead and try it? Or will it cook the car and cause the whole thing to explode? (Not literally...) :-)

Thanks!

[Krikkit]

Don't confuse battery voltage with rated current. The former will ruin things if you increase it, the latter makes no difference.

So, your bigger battery from an A-class is 12V, maybe 500Ah, instead of 12V and 350Ah - the bigger battery will just last longer if you leave the lights on.

[kambites]

All car batteries are 12 volt these days... it'll be fine.

[Liquid Tuna]

Just whack it on! As long as it's 12v it'll be sound!

[Lewisp12]

Yep! It worked...

Thanks!

[buggalugs]

Just make sure it can be locked down properly as you don't want it bouncing around under the bonnet getting all sparky sparky.

[r11co]

Bigger battery on a less powerful charging system will actually cause the battery to die quicker as it may never reach full charge and start sulfating.

BMWs are one car I know of that can adjust the charging rate (via diagnostic computer) to compensate for a larger battery being fitted.

Old Clios almost certainly don't have that facility, so some sort of alternator mod would be required.