Do a google search for reviews on them, I do that if I don't know the brand, on just about everything.

The sound pretty cheap = where are you getting them from?

Sounds a bit cheap for me. Ritar make several series of batteries. Who is supplying them and what is the Ritar part number?

There have been reports of poor performance from Ritar batteries on the forums. In each case it turns out that they were batteries constructed for the "Reserve Power Battery" series . These batteries are cheaper than those for the "Energy Storage Battery" series. The energy storage batteries are built for cyclic applications where as the reserve batteries are designed to be on charge continuously in standby mode.

Rather than chasing cheap batteries I would be inclined to go to someone reliable like Val Rigoli.

Welcome to the forum, Paull

I am not an Electrician

As you have already found out that they are deep cycle batteries, then lucky for you that you can get such a big discount, and I would go for them
Unfortunately I use another brand of battery, so can not answer your question

For anyone who does not know why UPS type batteries, are not much good for use as deep cycle ones, below is a quote taken from the internet, that may or may not be correct

Batteries for UPS are typically AGM hybrids made with multiple thin plates to achieve extremely low internal resistance so they can provide very high discharge rates in excess of 1C, then be recharged quickly like a car battery. They are made for emergency stand by service. Thin plates = Lower charge/discharge cycle. In other words they only get 100 to 200 cycles in them

Some people on eBay are very vague on their so called deep cycle batteries, but when you look up that manufactures chart, you find that the batteries are suitable for emergency standby

Hope that this info is useful to others

G'day Paul,
Welcome to a very informative & useful forum. I trust you will get out lots of good info that will make your experiences very enjoyable & also share your experiences with us in the various chapters.

Before you take the leap of having two batteries, check the amount of 12v power that you need - perhaps updating lighting to LEDs if necessary. Just remember that carrying two batteries (& their charging equipment) adds to the weight that you are allowed to carry. You mention you have a small pop-top so I assume you are allowed to carry 300 kg - total, if it has one axle. That includes water, gas, batteries, food, clothing plus everything else you "need" to carry. The nominal weight of an AGM battery is 25-32kg.

I'm certain your daughter would have work mates who know their way around batteries & other power equipment so some of the discussion above may be unnecessary - but at least you are getting ideas to check in the future. Check that the charging equipment in your van is up to what modern AGM batteries need. There was a post only a few days ago in the "Solar" chapter (off the Techies page) - called "Doing the Maths" that you'll find useful.

Use the "Search" button to seek out posts from some of us who have attempted to increase our carrying capacities, got shocks that we are near the ATM or over! Being an unexpected "customer" of the Road Traffic group (Scalies) or your insurance company can get expensive. Look at the various caravan magazines to get ideas but ask yourself "Do I really need that ........ ?", "How much will it add to the weight that I'm able to carry?"

Go away for a trial weekend somewhere not too far away from home & find out what you need to carry (or leave behind). I'll never forget my first trial trip with my first camper trailer. "No", I told my wife "We won't need the doona, after all we were only going up to Keelbottom Creek in Herveys Range". Perhaps you can guess the outcome - we FROZE!

Happy caravaning,
Warren

the batteries are, RA12-120SD, thanks

Just search with right click Google on the part No Above.
Brings up a few pages of link.s
ALL pretty good. But can't find any real reviews on them..

Maybe on "whirlpool Forum.

They are about the best "ALl Round" forum on net.

www.rpc.com.au/pdf/ritar_12V_120Ah.pdf
It appears that this battery is designed for cycling use, not standby, so it would be quite suitable for the application.

Cheers,
Peter

Paull wrote:

---

the batteries are, RA12-120SD, thanks

---

 Thanks for replying. If you go to my links you will see that battery listed in the page on the RA Series Battery. On that page it states

RA series is a general purpose battery with 10 years design life in float service. It meets with IEC, JIS and BS standards .With up-dated AGM valve regulated technology and high purity raw materials, the RA series battery maintains high consistency for better performance and reliable standby service life.
It is suitable for UPS/EPS, medical equipment, emergency light and security system applications.

The battery you need is one from the DC Series Battery - Deep Cycle VRLA Batteries

DC (Deep Cycle) series is specially designed for frequent cyclic discharge. By using strong grids and specially designed active material, the DC series battery offers 30% more cyclic life than the standby series. It is suitable for UPS, solar & wind energy, telecom system, electric power system, electric vehicles, golf cars, etc.

These pages are from the Ritar company web site.

I suggest you ask them to give you a quote on a similar battery from the DC series. Way back when Ritar batteries were more popular there were a lot of complaints regarding Ritar batteries. When members managed to get the exact battery number from the OP they were inevitably the RA series.

-- Edited by PeterD on Tuesday 26th of September 2017 10:21:17 PM

I will get my daughter to look into the DC-120 instead, thanks

""when you pass the van on just don't mention they may not last long.""

Not very nice Pete.

How would you feel if that was done to you.
Just bought van. No spare sheckels.

6 mths.? later,
A grand you MAY not have for new battery bank.
Real pi==ed methink's.