{"product_id":"bravo-50-dc-50-amp-dc-dc-solar-charge-controller-with-mppt","title":"BRAVO 50 DC - 50 Amp DC-DC Solar Charge Controller with MPPT","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a dual-input charger rather than a plain solar controller. It takes an alternator feed and a solar array at the same time and charges a 12 volt house bank from either or both, which is what a van or motorhome needs if it is going to top up while driving and while parked. Rich Solar sells a separate BRAVO 50 MPPT that is solar-only; the two are different products and easy to confuse by name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy this charger\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharges from solar and the vehicle alternator, simultaneously or independently, with a selectable priority between the two sources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks with both traditional and smart alternators, using buck-boost regulation on the alternator side and buck MPPT on the solar side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFifty amps of charge current, with two-stage charging for lithium packs that carry their own BMS and three-stage bulk, boost and float for lead-acid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBluetooth, RS485, TTL and CAN using the RV-C protocol are all built in. Nothing extra to buy to monitor it, and RV-C means it can talk to a compliant coach system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide operating range of -31°F to +149°F, useful for an engine bay or a hot underfloor locker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtection covers overcharge, overcurrent, over-temperature and reverse polarity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInstallation and limits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe battery output is 12 volts only, with a 9 to 16 volt working range. Rich Solar's own product title says 12V\/24V, but that refers to the alternator it can accept, not the bank it can charge. If you are building a 24 volt house system, this is not the right unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolar input is capped at 55 V and 50 A, with 800 watts of array recommended, and the MPPT window is 17 to 36 V. A single 12 volt panel may sit below that window in poor light; two in series is the usual arrangement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlternator input can draw up to 65 amps. That is a serious load on a vehicle charging system and needs its own fusing and cable sizing. Check what your alternator can sustain before wiring it in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConversion efficiency is quoted at up to 96 percent, lower than the 98 percent claimed for the solar-only MPPT controllers. Buck-boost conversion costs something.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich Solar's claim of up to 20 percent more harvest than a PWM controller is a best-case comparison. The real gain depends on panel temperature, string voltage and how far above battery voltage the array is running.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe manufacturer title calls this the number one ranked DC to DC solar controller. No ranking body, publication or basis is given anywhere on the page, so treat it as advertising rather than a finding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRated IP32, so dripping water only. It is not sealed against spray or road wash.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe unit is 8.70 x 6.92 x 3.64 inches and weighs 5.16 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWarranty\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich Solar lists a two-year warranty for MPPT controllers, which is the category this unit falls under.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe term is prorated: full replacement in year one, then 50 percent coverage in year two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecause this is a dual-purpose alternator charger rather than a straightforward solar controller, it is worth confirming the applicable term with Rich Solar before relying on it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"RICHSOLAR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46392691228822,"sku":"RS-MPPT50DC","price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0676\/5291\/1254\/files\/5_6b59030a-e2c3-4ff0-81f1-2b4e07e118d8.jpg?v=1785842371","url":"https:\/\/sunenergydepot.com\/products\/bravo-50-dc-50-amp-dc-dc-solar-charge-controller-with-mppt","provider":"sunenergydepot.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}