MCLAREN WANTED $8,000 FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY, WE DID IT FOR $100

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This video details the ambitious project of repairing a severely damaged McLaren P1 battery, originally priced at $8,000 by the manufacturer. The host, Rich Rebuilds, takes on the challenge after a flooded P1 was acquired by another YouTuber. Initially believed to be water-damaged, the battery is found to have failed due to old age, with only a couple of cells being compromised. The process involves disassembling the original battery, identifying functional cells, and replacing the failed ones with new, more affordable cells from A123 Systems. The host emphasizes that this is a proof-of-concept, not a production-ready solution, highlighting the use of electrical tape and custom bus bars. Despite the makeshift assembly, the rebuilt battery successfully powers the McLaren P1, demonstrating that an $8,000 replacement can be achieved for a fraction of the cost (around $250-$275). The video also touches on the P1's intelligent battery management system and the importance of proper cell management in high-voltage battery packs.