Looking for BCI group 33 batteries?
It is hard to find these products and information as very few manufacturers make them anymore. These large starting batteries have a limited range of use.
But don’t worry.
Below we will go through the uses, dimensions, and equivalents. Plus you’ll find tips on where to purchase one and other battery groups to use as a replacement.
⚡BCI Group 33 Key Facts⚡
- Length: 13 5/16 inch
- Width: 6 13/16 inch
- Height: 9 3/8 inch
- Weight: 60 lbs
- 50 – 60Ah
- 1050 – 1450 CCA
- AGM
- Starting / Cranking
What is a Group 33 Battery?
Group 33 batteries are large starting batteries that can produce high currents for short periods of time. You use them with large vehicles and commercial engines.
They are rare and hard to find with few retailers stocking this BCI group size. If you’re looking for one then it’s best to get in contact directly with a specialist to source the equipment you require. This is because only a limited number of vehicles use this size battery.
You won’t find them for any other application such as deep cycle or marine.
They run at 12V and deliver a minimum of 1050CCA, usually the starting current is even higher than this at around 1400 cranking amps and more! The Amp-hour capacity is comparatively small 50Ah – 80Ah, this is similar to a standard car battery. For such a large battery this is a relatively small capacity. This is because they are not designed for cyclical use. For example, they are built to deliver a high current for a few seconds and not low currents for long periods.
BCI Group 33 Dimensions and Weight
The dimensions of a group 33 battery are:
- Length: 13 5/16 inches (338mm)
- Width: 6 13/16 inches (173mm)
- Height: 9 3/8 inches (238mm)
These are large batteries which makes them very heavy, around 60.9lbs (27.6kg)
Application and Cell Type
Over the years, these have been produced as sealed lead acid, flooded WET and AGM chemistry types. Choice is slim these days due to the limited uses, but the most common type is AGM.
This cell and chemistry structure is low maintenance and incredibly durable for commercial uses.
You won’t find lithium batteries with group 33 dimensions.
As for the application, these are used solely as engine starting batteries. They have a high cranking amps and relatively low amp-hour capacity.
I have had questions from people who think about using a group 33 as a deep cycle battery in an RV. This is a bad idea as they are not designed for this, they can’t handle pulling low currents for long periods. Adding to this, they are very heavy and large for a battery which is limited to a 80Ah capacity. You would quickly use energy and damage the battery.
Pros and Cons of Group 33 Batteries
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of these batteries.
Pros:
- High cranking amps for large engines
Cons:
- Rare to find
- Few retailers stock them
- Heavy
- Large dimensions
- Not for deep cycle or hybrid
- Expensive ($450+)
- No lithium options
Group 33 vs Group 31 Batteries
Group 31 batteries are more common and have wider applications than group 33.
The two BCI groups have almost identical dimensions which means you might consider them as equivalents. If you require a starting battery for a large engine, then you might use a group 31, instead of 33, as they are much easier to find and cheaper. You must ensure you match the same chemistry and cell type, such as AGM.
As for other applications, they are not suitable to use as a replacement. This is because group 31 can be found with deep cycle and marine applications. This is not the case for group 33, so don’t try to use one for your electrical system in your boat or RV.
A group 31 offers various different capacities depending on the intended application. This includes over 100Ah and around 1000 cranking amps. In comparison, group 33 have a reduced energy storage capacity of upto 80Ah and an increased cranking amps of over 1400!
Group 33 vs Group 51 Batteries
If you’re looking at similar options to group 33, you might come across group 51. They are sometimes compared because they have similar dimensions in length and width.
In reality, the similarities end quite quickly. While they are the same length, a group 51 is an inch thinner and 2 inches shorter. While they both are used for starting applications, a group 51 has lower cranking amps for smaller engines than group 33.
These properties lead to a difference in weight too. In fact, a group 33 is double the weight (60lbs) of a group 51(30lbs).
They don’t make good replacements or equivalents for one another.
FAQ
Group 33 are rarely used anymore in vehicles. You might find them in old trucks and commercial vehicles.
They have an amp hour capacity of 50Ah to 70Ah. This is low for such a big battery as they are built for starting, not cycling.
Group 33 can deliver a high current to start big engines. They have a minimum of 1050CCA and can reach over 1450CCA.
It is hard to buy these batteries anymore, you should contact a battery retailer directly to source the equipment. You might find stock at Powerstride Battery.
Summary
As you can see, you don’t get many group 33 batteries these days. In fact, it can be tricky to find them even at dedicated battery retailers.
They are large starting batteries that can pump out a high cranking current for a few seconds. So don’t expect to use it for deep cycling. The weight of around 60lbs means only large commercial vehicles can accommodate one.
If you’re looking for an equivalent replacement then take your time to check dimensions and battery type. You might find group 31 with similar applications and dimensions.
