For those new to Cegasa's13kWh E/Bick LV—now available in the US through Intelligent Controls—here's our quick list of why Cegasa lithium batteries check the boxes we and our customers need related to thoughtful design, quality manufacturing, easy installation, and remote access.
1. Non-Chinese external BMS
China dominates the global lithium market—90% of lithium cells are manufactured there, and that's unlikely to change overnight. For more on this topic, listen to our conversation with Pylontech's US Sales Manager.
Cegasa, a European battery manufacturer, no longer makes their own lithium cells. Instead, they purchase tier 1 and 2 cells from top Chinese manufacturers, then assemble and test their batteries from their factory in Spain. Most importantly, they pair these cells with an external battery management system (BMS), the MCS Master Box, designed and manufactured in-house by Cegasa. For OEM customers building military and surveillance systems, this keeps the batteries in compliance with restrictions placed on foreign-sourced control elements. Many of those systems still rely on AGM or lead acid battery banks. Now there's a world-class, lithium battery option with advanced closed-loop comms and a European-built BMS.
2. Great communication with Victron inverter systems
As we wrote about in Bad, Better, Best: Battery-Inverter Communications & Compatibility, just because a battery brand claims compatibility with Victron doesn't mean Victron knows that brand exists, let alone collaborated with them to establish an integration and maintain it with firmware updates
Which battery brands are officially supported by Victron? Check the Victron battery compatibility page here. Most companies on that list aren't available in the US but the Cegasa E/Bick is there with a complete writeup. When correctly commissioned, the E/Bick takes full advantage of Victron’s DVCC function to smoothly and intelligently manage power flows in and out of the battery bank, ensuring optimal efficiency and longevity.
3. Cost-effective footprint
The Cegasa E/Bick is a beefy battery, measuring approximately 23" w x 16" d x 15" h and 198lb. Larger footprint batteries offer clear advantages: you need fewer of them, they cost fewer dollars per kWh, and they minimize wiring complexity. The high capacity cells give the same power as 3 x 100AH batteries while requiring only a single enclosure, BMS, and breaker. The savings get passed along to the end user, at the expense of being a 2 person lift during the installation process. The wide and stable footprint allows stacking up to 4 units high with the addition of a single self-leveling foot bracket. This modular design eliminates complex racking and cabling from the installation making it simple to parallel units in up to 54kWh stacks.
4. Synchronized pre-charge circuit
This is a big deal. If you have ever tried to start large transformer based inverters off the battery bank you may be familiar with the tedious process of switching every battery on and off multiple times to pre-charge the hungry capacitor. The Cegasa E/Bick incorporates a dedicated resistive circuit that synchronizes with each paralleled battery to get an inverter system up and running from a cold start in one go.
5. Simpler, safer Installation
Amphenol-style connectors paired with 4/0 cables and an onboard 250 amp breaker. The Cegasa wiring system eliminates common safety concerns due to loose connections, improper fusing, and undersized wire.
6. Remote access
Wireless access to the MCS unit gives installers and users the ability to see cell level reports from each battery unit. Pair this with live remote monitoring through Victrons VRM and it has never been easier to get support for your system.
7. Real support from real people
Cegasa batteries are designed and manufactured in Spain by a dedicated battery manufacture. It's not a shell corporation that also imports toasters and spas—it's a real company with a history and a future. They’re focused on developing great products and taking care of their customers. We really appreciate this and it aligns with our own company values, allowing us to provide the customer services we ourselves expect (and receive from Cegasa).
To learn more about the E/Bick and how you might integrate Cegasa batteries into your system design, get in touch with our team.
