Below you will find detailed information on the dimensions, uses, and equivalent replacements. Plus we’ll discuss common applications and chemistry types available along with the expected performance.
⚡BCI Group 47 Key Facts⚡
- Length: 9 11/16 inch
- Width: 6 ⅞ inch
- Height: 7 ½ inch
- Weight: 40 lbs
- 12V
- 600 – 650 CCA
- Sealed, AGM
- Starting, Marine
What is a Group 47 Battery?
Group 47 batteries are usually built for use in passenger cars, light trucks, and vans. In this scenario, they are starting batteries to crank gas powered engines.
This is a mid sized battery weighing around 40lbs and delivering 600 to 650CCA, and 50 to 60Ah
Often you’ll see them in high performance vehicles like Corvettes and Mustangs, along with everyday cars from manufacturers like Chevrolet, GMC, MINI, and VW.
You can also buy dual purpose marine group 47 batteries. These provide both starting and deep cycle abilities. This is a requirement for boats who need to crank an engine, plus draw a low current to run small electronics on board. These hybrid batteries still have a heavy focus on starting over cyclical application and they can be hard to distinguish from dedicated starting batteries.
BCI Group 47 Dimensions and Weight
The dimensions of a group 47 battery are:
- Length: 9 11/16 inches (246mm)
- Width: 6 ⅞ inches (175mm)
- Height: 7 ½ inches (190mm)
- Average Weight: 40lbs
Chemistry Type and Application
You’ll find the majority of group 47 are made as maintenance free sealed lead acid (SLA) and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM). This offers a number of benefits including removing the need to refill the battery acid and remove the risk of spillage.
Adding to this, AGM batteries can be more durable and resistant to bumps and vibrations. This makes them a brilliant choice for performance cars and trucks.
You can still find traditional flooded lead acid (WET) too although they are becoming less common.
A growing number of lithium (LiFepo4) equivalents are entering the market. These are expensive but popular as they can shed 50 to 70% weight! Particularly useful in high performance vehicles or boats using hybrid models.
You’ll find two types of battery when it comes to the application, either dedicated starting/cranking or marine. Marine is dual purpose so can be used to start engines and run electronics like a deep cycle battery. Best of both worlds. When replacing a marine battery make sure to double check your replacement is suitable for this and it is not a starting only battery. A starter will quickly start to die if used for cyclical application.
Pros and Cons of Group 47 Batteries
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of these batteries.
Pros:
- Decent 600 – 650CCA
- 50 – 60Ah capacity
- Starting or dual purpose options
- SLA, AGM, WET, and LiFepo4 options available
- Easy to buy online
Cons:
- No deep cycle options available
Group 47 vs Group 48 Batteries
If you compare a group 48 with a group 47, then you’ll quickly see they have different external characteristics. This means you’ll struggle to use them as equivalent replacements.
As you can see on the table below, group 48 is smaller. In particular it is much shorter in length by well over 1 inch. In addition to this, it is slightly smaller in height. This means you could fit a group 48 in a group 47 battery compartment, but not the other way around. Plus due to this size difference a group 48 has lower CCA and Ah capacities which won’t give you the performance you require.
| Group | Length (inch) | Width (inch) | Height (inch) |
| 48 | 9 11/16 | 6 7/8 | 7 1/2 |
| 47 | 12 1/16 | 6 7/8 | 7 9/16 |
Group 47 vs Group 90 Batteries
Let’s compare a group 90 with a group 47. You’ll see they have different external characteristics. You should take these into account when using as a replacement.
Take a look at the table below, group 90 is smaller. In particular it is much shorter in length by well over 1 inch and it is much smaller in height. This means you could fit a group 90 in a group 47 battery compartment, but not the other way around. Plus due to this size difference a group 90 delivers lower CCA and Ah capacities which won’t give you the performance you require.
| Group | Length (inch) | Width (inch) | Height (inch) |
| 90 | 9 11/16 | 6 7/8 | 6 7/8 |
| 47 | 12 1/16 | 6 7/8 | 7 9/16 |
Group 47 vs Group 65 Batteries
You might be thinking about using group 65 as an equivalent replacement for group 47. This is because they are the exact same length and height. Before you make a decision, just be aware that a group 65 is wider by just over ½ an inch. So measure your battery compartment carefully to see if it squeezes in.
This extra size gives you added performance with a higher CCA and Ah capacity for starting and marine applications.
| Group | Length (inch) | Width (inch) | Height (inch) |
| 65 | 12 1/16 | 7 1/2 | 7 9/16 |
| 47 | 12 1/16 | 6 7/8 | 7 9/16 |
FAQ
Vehicles taking group 47 can include Chevrolet models such as Silverado, Cruze, Equinox, and Volt.
It has a capacity of 50Ah – 60Ah
It offers 600 – 650 cold cranking amps.
There is no difference, it is just a different sizing guide. BCI group sizing is global whereas ‘H’ is more used in Europe and US for automobile batteries.
Summary
I hope the information above answers your questions about BCI group 47 batteries.
As you have discovered, they are generally built for starting or marine application. At just over 12 inches long and nearly 7 inches wide they can deliver 650CCA and 60Ah capacity.
They are not hugely common, but are still found in modern cars and boats. In particular, Chevrolet is known to have used this size battery over the years. For automobile use, you will also see it referred to as an H5 battery.
