So, long story short, a friend and I somehow ended up with what appears to be a very large mobile battery energy storage system, and I am now the person trying to figure out exactly what we have, what it is worth, and how the hell to sell it.
I am not a battery engineer. I am learning all of this as I go, so please feel free to explain things to me like I am five and correct anything I have wrong.
The system is built into a modified 20-foot shipping container on a titled container chassis. Inside are 72 large custom aluminum battery modules, with another 12 loose modules, so 84 total.
Each module appears to contain:
- 12 CALB L173F163B LiFePO4 cells
- 163Ah per cell
- Around 3.2V nominal per individual cell
- Custom aluminum enclosure
- Main positive and negative terminals
- Separate BMS/monitoring connectors
- ZeroAvia branding on the modules
Based on the individual cell specs, my current math is:
12 cells x 3.2V x 163Ah = about 6.25 kWh per module
Which would put us at roughly:
- 72 installed modules = about 451 kWh
- 84 total modules = about 526 kWh
One of the loose battery modules was tested with a multimeter and reportedly measured around 12V across the main terminals. I do not have a photo of that reading, unfortunately.
Because of that, I am guessing the internal configuration may be something like 4S3P, which would theoretically be around 12.8V / 489Ah / 6.25kWh, but I am NOT confident enough in that to advertise it that way yet.
The complete system also has:
- 14 Orion BMS 2 units
- Large battery racks and interconnects
- Heavy DC wiring and disconnect equipment
- Insulated 20-foot container
- Titled 20-foot container chassis
From what we have been able to piece together, it originally used four Trystar/Oztek OZPCS-RS40 40kW power conversion units.
Those are gone.
The original AC/cooling units are also gone.
So I am NOT trying to represent this as a functioning plug-and-play BESS. At this point I am treating the full Megabess as a big recommissioning/project system with a substantial amount of battery capacity still in it.
Here is where I need help.
I put together a Craigslist listing trying to sell the individual modules and also mention that the entire Megabess system is available, but I honestly do not know if I am describing it correctly or marketing it to the right people.
I would love feedback on:
- Is my 6.25 kWh-per-module math correct?
- If the complete module is really around 12V, does 4S3P sound likely?
- What would you want tested/documented before buying one of these modules?
- What specs should I absolutely include in a sales listing?
- What specs should I NOT claim until I verify them?
- Is Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace completely the wrong audience for this?
- Where would you actually list batteries like this?
- Does it make more sense to sell the modules individually, in groups, or try to sell the whole 450-ish kWh system?
- How would you even begin to put a fair value on the individual modules or the complete system?
I am going to paste my current Craigslist ad below.
Please tear it apart.
Seriously.
If I am saying something wrong, tell me. If I am underselling it, tell me. If I am wildly overestimating what it is, also tell me.
I would much rather get corrected here by people who actually understand this stuff than put a bad listing online and look like an idiot.
CRAIGSLIST POSTING:
Title:
6.25kWh LiFePO4 Lithium Battery Modules – Solar / Off Grid / Backup / EV
Description:
Large commercial lithium battery modules for sale in Reno.
These were originally manufactured for a commercial mobile Battery Energy Storage System and are substantially larger than a typical automotive, RV or consumer lithium battery.
Individual Battery Modules
Each module contains:
- 12 CALB L173F163B LiFePO4 cells
- 163Ah per individual cell
- Approx. 3.2V nominal per cell
- Approx. 6.25 kWh total energy per complete module
- Heavy-duty custom aluminum enclosure
- Main positive and negative terminals
- BMS/monitoring connections
The energy calculation is straightforward:
12 cells × approximately 3.2V × 163Ah = approximately 6.26 kWh per module
The complete module has reportedly measured approximately 12V across its main output terminals. We have not opened the module to independently verify the exact internal series/parallel wiring, so I am avoiding making an unsupported claim about the module's final Ah rating.
Potential applications include:
- Solar battery storage
- Off-grid homes, cabins or shops
- Backup power
- RV, bus or van conversions
- Electric vehicle projects
- Construction or remote-site power
- Industrial energy storage
- Custom battery systems
These are not plug-and-play 12V consumer batteries. Proper battery management, charging, inverter equipment, wiring and system design will be required.
Multiple units are available and bulk purchases are welcome.
Entire Mobile Megabess System Available
For the right buyer, we are also open to selling the complete Megabess mobile energy storage system.
The system consists of a specially modified and insulated 20-foot container mounted on a titled 20-foot sliding container chassis.
Current configuration:
- 72 battery modules installed
- Approximately 451 kWh nominal installed energy storage
- 12 additional modules available
- Approximately 526 kWh total nominal energy across all 84 modules
- 14 Orion battery management systems
- Battery racks and mounting infrastructure
- Heavy-duty electrical interconnections
- Multiple high-current DC components
- Custom commercial BESS container
- Titled container chassis/trailer
To put the size in normal terms:
- One Tesla Powerwall stores about 13.5 kWh
- Megabess currently has approximately 33 Powerwalls worth of nominal energy storage installed
- Including all 12 additional battery modules brings that to roughly 39 Powerwalls worth of battery capacity
At a constant 6.5 kW load, 451 kWh of nominal storage represents roughly 69 hours of theoretical runtime before accounting for inverter losses, reserve capacity, battery condition and usable depth of discharge.
The system was originally intended for applications such as:
- Construction
- Temporary power
- Large solar installations
- Industrial or mining operations
- Events
- Remote sites
- Backup power
- Emergency/disaster-response power
- Generator hybrid systems
Important
The complete Megabess system is currently incomplete and is not ready to plug in and operate today.
The original large power-conversion inverters and cooling equipment are not currently installed, and other integration work may be required. This would be best suited to a battery integrator, electrical contractor, solar company, engineer or industrial buyer familiar with commercial energy storage equipment.
Located in Reno, Nevada.
Available:
- Individual battery modules
- Multiple-module lots
- All batteries
- Complete Megabess container/trailer/battery system
Serious inquiries welcome. Message with the quantity you are interested in or contact me for additional information about purchasing the complete Megabess system.