1 / 7Rich Solar BRAVO Waterproof 20 | 20 Amp Waterproof PWM Solar Charge Controller | Waterproof 20A 12V PWM Controller for RVs, Trailers, Campers, Vans, Boats, Off-Grid
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BRAVO Waterproof 20 — 20 Amp PWM Waterproof Solar Charge Controller
The BRAVO Waterproof 20 sits in the middle of Rich Solar's waterproof PWM controller lineup — rated for 20 amps of solar input, with the same IP65-rated, conformal-coated, no-spark construction as the BRAVO 8 and BRAVO 30, plus an optional external Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) port for more accurate temperature-compensated charging. DIP-switch battery selection covers Flooded, AGM, GEL, and Lithium (LiFePO4) chemistries.
M5/#10AWG terminals, optional BTS port, 10A soft-start
20A Capacity, Right-Sized for Mid-Range Arrays
Steps up from the BRAVO 8 to handle a larger 12V array, with M5 terminals accepting up to #10AWG wire and a 10A soft-start charging current — enough headroom for most multi-panel 12V setups without the BRAVO 30's full 30A capacity.
IP65 Waterproof, Solid-Duty Cables
Conformal coating protects the internal board against moisture, corrosion-resistant terminals hold up in damp environments, and solid-duty cables handle this controller's higher current load — all rated IP65 for genuinely exposed mounting.
Optional External Battery Temperature Sensor Port
Like the BRAVO 30, this controller includes a port for an optional external Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS) — adding the sensor lets the controller read the battery's actual temperature directly, rather than relying solely on the onboard sensor near the controller.
Product Overview
The BRAVO Waterproof 20 is a 12V PWM charge controller rated for 20 amps of solar input — positioned between the entry-level BRAVO Waterproof 8 and the larger BRAVO Waterproof 30 in Rich Solar's waterproof PWM controller lineup. It shares the same core waterproof construction as both siblings: conformal coating on the internal board, corrosion-resistant terminals and connectors, solid-duty cables, and an overall IP65 rating suited to genuinely exposed mounting on boats, RVs, and other mobile installations.
Battery type — Flooded (WET), AGM, GEL, or Lithium (LiFePO4) — is set via a physical DIP switch. Like the BRAVO 30, the BRAVO 20 includes a port for an optional external Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS), giving the controller a direct read on the battery's actual temperature when the sensor is added, rather than relying solely on ambient sensing near the controller itself — useful when the battery is mounted some distance away. The controller includes smart charging control, charging time management, and an equalization stage at 15.5V±0.2VDC with a 2-hour timeout.
Physically, the BRAVO 20 matches the BRAVO 30's M5 terminals accepting up to #10AWG stranded wire, and shares the same 0.66 lb weight, IP65 rating, and environmental operating range. The meaningful electrical differences are the rated current itself (20A vs 30A) and the soft-start charging current, capped at 10A on this model versus 15A on the BRAVO 30. The controller mounts vertically using three included plastic spacers and self-tapping screws, with protection circuitry covering overvoltage, short circuit, reverse polarity, and thermal conditions (engaging at 149°F).
Built to Handle Real Moisture Exposure
- IP65 Waterproof Rating: Protected against dust ingress and water jets, suitable for mounting in exposed locations rather than requiring a sealed enclosure.
- Conformal-Coated Internal Board: Protective coating applied directly to the circuit board guards against moisture-related corrosion and short circuits internally.
- Solid-Duty Cables: Built for this controller's 20A current rating, matched to the same wiring approach used on the BRAVO 30.
- Corrosion-Resistant Terminals and Connectors: Maintains reliable electrical connections even in damp or salt-air environments over time.
- No Sparks Design: A meaningful safety feature for installations near fuel sources, such as boat engine compartments or generator areas.
Configurable Charging With Optional Remote Sensing
- DIP Switch Battery Selection: Configure for Flooded (WET), AGM, GEL, or Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries with a simple physical switch.
- External BTS Port (Optional): Connect an optional external Battery Temperature Sensor for direct battery temperature readings rather than relying on the controller's onboard ambient sensing alone.
- Battery Temperature Compensation: Adjusts charging voltage by -24mV/°C across a -4°F to 122°F range.
- Equalization Charging: 15.5V±0.2VDC (25°C) stage with a 2-hour timeout for periodic deep maintenance charging on flooded lead-acid batteries.
- 10A Soft-Start Charging Current: Handles the initial charging ramp-up at up to 10A (50% PWM duty) before reaching full charging current.
Protected Operation, Standard Terminal Sizing
- Overvoltage, Short Circuit & Reverse Polarity Protection: Covers the most common fault conditions for a PWM controller in field use.
- Thermal Protection During Charging: Engages at 149°F to protect the controller and connected battery.
- M5 Terminals, Up to #10AWG Wire: Same terminal capacity as the BRAVO 30, matched to this controller's higher current rating versus the BRAVO 8.
- Vertical Wall Mounting: Mounts using three included plastic spacers and self-tapping screws — no additional mounting hardware needed.
- Wide Environmental Range: Operating temperature of -13°F to 122°F and storage temperature of -40°F to 185°F.
Full Specifications
| SKU | RS-PWM20WP |
| Rated Solar Panel Current | 20A Max |
| Normal Input Array Voltage | 15–22VDC |
| Max Array Voltage (No Load) | 25VDC |
| Lowest Operating Voltage | 8VDC |
| Standby Draw (Night) | 5mA |
| Max Voltage Drop (Panel to Battery) | 0.25VDC |
| Soft-Start Current (50% PWM Duty) | Up to 10A |
| Equalization Voltage (25°C) | 15.5V ±0.2VDC |
| Equalization Timeout | 2 Hours |
| Temp Compensation | -24mV/°C, -4°F to 122°F range |
| Over-Temp Protection | 149°F |
| Terminal Type | M5, up to #10AWG |
| Housing Material | Standard ABS Plastic |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Weight | 0.66 lb (0.3kg) |
| Operating Temperature | -13°F to 122°F |
| Storage Temperature | -40°F to 185°F |
Best Uses
- Exposed marine and boat solar installations with mid-size arrays
- RV, trailer, and camper installations without a protected electrical bay
- Multi-panel 12V systems falling between single-panel and large-array scale
- Cabin and off-grid setups wanting headroom above the BRAVO 8
- Installations wanting optional remote battery temperature sensing
- Setups requiring no-spark safety near fuel sources
Key Benefits
- IP65 waterproof with conformal-coated board and solid-duty cables
- 20A PWM charging with DIP switch battery type selection
- Optional external BTS port for more accurate temperature compensation
- Compatible with Flooded, AGM, GEL, and Lithium batteries
- Overvoltage, short circuit, reverse polarity, thermal protection
- Mounting hardware included; CE, EMC, FCC compliant
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