Looking for a group 41 battery for your VW Vanagon or classic Porsche?
Before you make any decisions, take a minute to read this page.
Batteries can be overly complicated, especially once you start reading technical specifications.
Is best to understand all the key information and sizing to make sure you get the correct installation.
But don’t worry, together we’ll go through everything in an easy to understand way.
Keep reading to get your engine cranking first time! Below you’ll find the dimensions, chemistry types, and equivalents for a BCI group 41 battery. Plus answer to your biggest questions.
⚡BCI Group 41 Key Facts⚡
- Length: 11 3/16 inch
- Width: 6 ⅞ inch
- Height: 6 ⅞ inch
- Weight: 37 lbs
- 12V
- 650 CCA
- WET, SLA
- Starting / Cranking
What is a Group 41 Battery?
Group 41 are built as starting batteries for cranking vehicle engines. This is not a technical requirement as group size refers to the dimensions of a battery not its application. But battery manufacturers only produce them for starting purposes.
This is a mid-sized battery producing 650CCA used to start medium to large car engines.
They have become rare in modern vehicles since the 2000 but you’ll still find them in classic German automobiles and vans. VW, Porsche, and Audi are all known to use group 41 batteries. It is no surprise that these 3 brands have these similarities as they are all part of the Volkswagen Group.
You should not try to use a group 41 as an auxiliary battery in your Vanagon. This is because it is not designed to be deep cycled – It won’t be able to run low current electronics for long periods of time.
Other vehicles using this size for starting include (1970s/80s) Porsche 911 and 928, and Audi A4 (1997/98). Plus it’s also seen in some older Dodge and Ford trucks.
BCI Group 41 Dimensions and Weight
The dimensions of a BCI group 41 battery are:
- Length: 11 3/16 inches (293mm)
- Width: 6 ⅞ inches (175mm)
- Height: 6 ⅞ inches (175mm)
- Average Weight: 37 lbs (17kg)
Chemistry Type and Application
The choice of chemistry type for group 41 is limited. Manufacturers only produce them as flooded (WET) or sealed (SLA) lead acid. These are two common types which work well for engine cranking.
If it is going to be located inside your campervan, you should consider using a sealed lead acid battery to stop risks of leaking and reduce maintenance. A flooded battery requires you to refill the water in the battery acid electrolyte every few months.
You might be looking for AGM to reduce maintenance and improve lifespan. But these are hard to find, if not impossible. Ultimately you’ll have to settle for a standard lead acid mentioned above. Plus there are no equivalent replacement sizes to group 41.
Manufacturers don’t make these for any other applications other than starting. You can’t buy them for deep cycle or marine dual purpose.
Pros and Cons of Group 41 Batteries
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of these batteries.
Pros:
- Fits in classic vehicles like VW campervans and Porsche
- Easy to buy online
- 650CCA for starting engine
- Lots of SLA and WET choices
Cons:
- No deep cycle or marine application
- No AGM options
- Become rare in new vehicles
Group 41 vs Group 40R Batteries
You might be considering the difference between 41 and 40R group batteries. It’s only natural, as they are next to each other on the BCI size chart. So does that mean they are similar or equivalent?
The big difference is the length, with a group 40R being nearly ½ an inch shorter. But the width and height is the same. This means you need to carefully measure your battery compartment to see if it has enough room to fit the length of a group 41. Many times you can squeeze it in.
| Group | L (inches) | W (inches) | H (inches) |
| 40R | 10 15/16 | 6 ⅞ | 6 ⅞ |
| 41 | 11 3/16 | 6 ⅞ | 6 ⅞ |
The performance is similar with both being built with 600 to 650CCA to use on passenger car engines and small vans or trucks.
You should compare the position of the positive terminal too. Both should have this positioned on the right to correctly fit your vehicle as an equivalent.
Group 41 vs Group 35 Batteries
Recently, I spoke to a car owner wondering if you can swap a group 41 and group 35 battery.
Let’s look at a comparison to find the answer. As you can see by the physical dimensions they are different in length and height. Group 35 is much shorter and taller than group 41. By a couple of inches in both cases. This means it is unlikely to fit in your battery compartments.
| Group | L(inches) | W(inches) | H(inches) |
| 35 | 9 1/16 | 6 ⅞ | 8 7/8 |
| 41 | 11 3/16 | 6 ⅞ | 6 ⅞ |
Even if the application and chemistry type are a match, most vehicles won’t be able to accommodate this difference. For example, a group 35 is too tall for a VW Vanagon!
FAQ
Vehicles that take a group 41 battery include:
Porsche 911 (1977)
Porsche 928 (1980)
Audi A4 (1997/1998)
Audi S6 (1995)
VW Rabbit Diesel (1978)
QX56 Infiniti 2006
VW Vanagon / T25
The cold cranking amps of a group 41 is 600 – 650.
Summary
I hope this information above helps answer your questions about BCI group 41 batteries.
Not too many vehicles use them anymore, if you’ve read this far then it’s because you’re looking to keep your classic car or van running.
If you want a VW vanagon starting battery then stick to a group 41, but don’t try to use it as a deep cycle auxiliary battery as it won’t work. You’ll quickly damage it in this cyclical use.
With dimensions of 11 3/16 by 6 ⅞, you won’t find many other equivalent options to replace your battery with another group size. Plus choice is limited to standard WET or SLA lead acid batteries.
