When looking to replace your vehicle battery, it can be confusing when looking at size codes, capacities, and chemistry types.
Below you can read about all of this in simple to understand English and how it relates to a group 49 battery.
⚡BCI Group 49 Key Facts⚡
- Length: 15 inch
- Width: 6 ⅞ inch
- Height: 7 3/16 inch
- Weight: 55 lbs
- 12V
- 850 – 1000 CCA
- Sealed, AGM, Lithium
- Starting, Marine
What is a Group 49 Battery?
BCI group 49 are large starting or dual purpose batteries used in luxury cars and trucks. They are used in modern vehicles with large engines and high electrical demands.
Weighing over 50lbs and 15 inches long it delivers 850 to 1000CCA and a capacity of 90 to 100Ah.
This size and performance means they are commonly used in larger vehicles like SUV and trucks to crank engines and power electrical components without engine running. In a vehicle this includes lighting, media systems, winches, floodlighting, radios, and satellite equipment.
As you can find them with a dual purpose or ‘marine’ application, you’ll also see these batteries used in boats which need engine cranking and cyclical application to run electronics on board when not connected to shore power.
Battery Group 49 Dimensions and Weight
The dimensions of a group 49 battery are:
- Length: 15 inches (381mm)
- Width: 6 ⅞ inches (175mm)
- Height: 7 3/16 inches (192mm)
- Average Weight: 55lbs
Chemistry Type and Application
The majority of group size 49 batteries are now manufactured as Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) rather than traditional flooded lead acid (WET). This is because they are better for heavy duty application and dual purpose. You benefit from more durability and resistance to bumps and vibrations. Plus they are maintenance free.
If you have an old flooded battery, be careful if replacing it with a modern AGM option. You need to ensure your system is set up to charge AGM and avoid overcharging which leads to damage.
More lithium (LiFepo4) options are now on the market. While they are expensive, you can shed upto 70% and improve performance with higher energy density. Usually you can replace your battery with a lithium equivalent without any problems or alterations.
As for the application, they are restricted to starting gas engines or dual purpose for cyclical application to run electronics in a truck or boat for short periods. With the introduction of start/stop technology it can be hard to distinguish between a pure starter and dual purpose. Take the time to read the product details before making a purchase.
Don’t try to use group 49 for deep cycle application, like in an RV, as you’ll quickly deplete and damage the battery.
Pros and Cons of Group 49 Batteries
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of these batteries.
Pros:
- High CCA and Ah
- Used for large vehicles and trucks
- Starting and dual purpose available
- AGM and Lithium options
- Commonly used and easy to find
Cons:
- Flooded and sealed rare to find now
- Expensive price ($250+)
- No deep cycle application
Group 49 vs Group 94R Batteries
Battery group 94R is often compared to group 49. This is because they can be referred to as H7 and H8 respectively as automobile batteries.
If you’re wondering if you can replace one with the other then take a look at the comparison below. A 94R battery is much smaller than a 49. In particular it is shorter in length. While a 94R could easily fit in a 49 battery compartment, you will find it has less performance. The cold cranking amps and amp hour capacity will be reduced so it may struggle to run your vehicle.
If you try to replace a 94R with a 49, then you will have the opposite issue of it being too large for your battery compartment and too powerful for your vehicle.
| Group | Length (inch) | Width (inch) | Height (inch) |
| 94R | 12 ⅜ | 6 ⅞ | 7 ½ |
| 49 | 15 | 6 ⅞ | 7 3/16 |
Group 49 vs H8 Batteries
H8 are very similar, often identical to group 49. The numbers refer to two different battery sizing methods. Group 49 refers to BCI sizing while ‘H’ is used to size automobile batteries in North America and Europe. Manufacturers often label products as both 49 and H8 due to the closely related dimensions and performance. You can treat them as the same or equivalents.
FAQ
Car brands taking a group size 49 include Land Rover, Jeep, and Mercedes
90 to 100Ah
850 to 1000 cold cranking amps
No, an H7 is not a group 49. H7 is a group 94R battery.
Summary
I hope this page helps answer your questions about BCI group size 49 batteries, also known as H8.
As you have discovered, these are large batteries built to start engines in luxury vehicles and trucks with high electrical demands. You’ll find them as dedicated cranking or dual purpose applications. Their size means you get serious performance with over 900CCA and 90Ah.
Nowadays, the most common chemistry type is AGM, plus many LiFepo4 options are entering the market which helps to reduce weight. So if you’ve got a Land Rover, Mercedes, or Jeep then this BCI group size will suit you well.
