Battery Equivalents and Replacements

BCI Group GC12 Batteries - 12 Volt Golf Cart Batteries

BCI Group GC12 batteries are deep cycle, heavy-duty batteries, intended for automotive, off-the-grid, and light industrial applications where strong and durable batteries are required as reliable sources of energy.

GC12 batteries are also known as 12V golf cart batteries, but they are also commonly used as trolling motor batteries, RV house batteries, power inverter batteries, in medical and security systems, etc.

Published: May 10, 2021.

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BCI Group GC12 Battery Features and Specifications

BCI Group GC12 batteries feature physical dimensions of (L x W x H) 12 7/8 x 7 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches (12.875 x 7.1875 x 10.875 inches, 327 x 183 x 277 mm) and nominal voltage of 12 volts.

For a long time, GC12 batteries were exclusively lead-acid wet/flooded batteries, but in recent times there are also both sealed lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries on the market.

When compared with similar GC2/GC2H and GC8/GC8H batteries, GC12 batteries feature higher voltage (12V vs 6&8 volts) and they are also somewhat larger (L x W x H):

- Group GC2: 10 3/8 x 7 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches (10.375 x 7.1875 x 10.875 inches, 264 x 183 x 277 mm),

- Group GC2H: 10 3/8 x 7 3/16 x 11 5/8 inches (10.375 x 7.1875 x 11.625 inches, 264 x 183 x 295 mm),

- Group GC8: 10 3/8 x 7 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches (10.375 x 7.1875 x 10.625 inches, 264 x 183 x 277 mm),

- Group GC8H: 10 3/8 x 7 3/16 x 11 5/8 inches (10.375 x 7.1875 x 11.625 inches, 264 x 183 x 295 mm),

- Group GC12: 12 7/8 x 7 3/16 x 10 7/8 inches (12.875 x 7.1875 x 10.875 inches, 327 x 183 x 277 mm).

The most popular GC12 batteries with their most important features and specifications are given in the following comparison chart:

Model Battery Chemistry

Capacity (Ah)

Discharge Rate

Weight

Review

Battle Born BBGC2 LiFePO4

100 Ah

240 min @25A

31 lbs; 14.1 kg

-

Duracell GC12 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A, 70 min @75A

85 lbs; 38.5 kg

-

Interstate GC12 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A

84.5 lbs; 38.3 kg

-

Trojan T-1275 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A, 70 min @75A

82 lbs; 37.2 kg

Review

VMAXTANKS LFPGC2-12175XTR LiFePO4

170 Ah

408 min @25A

38.5 lbs; 17.5 kg

-

VMAXTANKS SLR-155 AGM

155 Ah

350 min @25A, 90 min @75A

90 lbs; 40.8 kg

-

VMAXTANKS XTR12-155 AGM

155 Ah

350 min @25A, 90 min @75A

91 lbs; 41.2 kg

-

Note: Amazon links in the chart ('Model' column) open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date prices and offers.

Of course, there are other models on the market as well.

GC12 batteries are used as a single battery (12V systems), for making larger 12V battery packs (batteries connected in parallel), for making 24V, 36V, and 48V battery packs (battery connected in series and sometimes in parallel, too).

Note: when connecting the batteries in parallel and/or series, always use the same battery model from the same manufacturer, preferably from the same batch.

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Flooded lead-acid GC12 batteries are not maintenance-free batteries - they feature nominal voltage of 12V, nominal (20h) capacity of ~150 Ah, RC value of ~280 min (~70 min @75A) and they weigh ~82-85 pounds (~37-39 kg).

AGM lead-acid GC12 batteries are sealed, spill-proof and maintenance-free batteries - most models recombine up to or even more than 99% of produced oxygen and hydrogen back into the water.

On average, AGM group GC12 batteries feature a nominal voltage of 12V, nominal capacity of ~155 Ah, RC value of ~350 min (~90 min @75A) and they weigh 90-91 pounds (~41 kg).

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Lithium GC12 batteries are not as common as lead-acid batteries, but there are several Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery models labeled as "12V GC2 lithium batteries", which may with GC12 battery compartments and unlike lead-acid GC2 batteries (which are 6V batteries), these "lithium GC2 batteries" are 12V batteries.

The main disadvantage of the lithium GC12/GC2 batteries is their higher initial price, which can be rather high, especially if 24V, 36V or 48V battery packs are required.

However, thanks to their lightweight design, support for a very high number of charging/discharging cycles (even down to 100% DoD), simple maintenance, etc., lithium GC12/G2 batteries in the long run actually save money.


Long Story Short: The main advantage of the GC12 batteries when compared with GC2/GC8 batteries is their higher voltage, requiring fewer batteries in order to create 24V, 36V, and 48V battery packs.

However, despite their larger size, these batteries use somewhat smaller individual cells, featuring a smaller capacity per cell.

Lithium golf cart batteries offer significant weight savings and offer a much larger number of charging/discharging cycles at a higher initial price.

Model Battery Chemistry

Capacity (Ah)

Discharge Rate

Weight

Review

Battle Born BBGC2 LiFePO4

100 Ah

240 min @25A

31 lbs; 14.1 kg

-

Duracell GC12 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A, 70 min @75A

85 lbs; 38.5 kg

-

Interstate GC12 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A

84.5 lbs; 38.3 kg

-

Trojan T-1275 Flooded

150 Ah

280 min @25A, 70 min @75A

82 lbs; 37.2 kg

Review

VMAXTANKS LFPGC2-12175XTR LiFePO4

170 Ah

408 min @25A

38.5 lbs; 17.5 kg

-

VMAXTANKS SLR-155 AGM

155 Ah

350 min @25A, 90 min @75A

90 lbs; 40.8 kg

-

VMAXTANKS XTR12-155 AGM

155 Ah

350 min @25A, 90 min @75A

91 lbs; 41.2 kg

-

Note: Amazon links in the chart ('Model' column) open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date prices and offers.

When choosing the right battery, choose according to your own needs and preferences.

And whatever You do, stay safe - these batteries store plenty of energy ...