Early Black Friday Price Drop Guarantee
Found the same price or less? Just ask & we'll beat it.
The AIMS Power Lightning Bug Frontier Solar Kit (FCLBUG) is a 50 watt solar base kit for continuous battery maintenance without grid power. It pairs a 50W monocrystalline solar panel (PV50MONO) with an 11 amp PWM solar charge controller (SCC11ARPM), mounting brackets for the panel and charge controller to battery cables. It's a trickle charging kit for battery systems you already have, so it doesn't include a battery or inverter.
AIMS designed the Lightning Bug for sheds, garages, homes and remote setups. It works for do-it-yourselfers who want a simple way to keep a battery charged, and for anyone managing a long term battery system. The pre-wired controller and extended leads keep setup simple.
The PV50MONO panel uses 36 monocrystalline cells in a clear anodized aluminum frame with 3.2 mm tempered glass. AIMS's spec sheet lists 50W maximum power, 18V at maximum power and 2.78A at maximum power, with a 0 to +3W power tolerance. The panel has passed 6000Pa snow load and 3600Pa wind load certification.
The SCC11ARPM controller has an IP68 waterproof design and an operating range of -31°F to 140°F (-35°C to 60°C). AIMS rates it for 12V battery systems with a maximum system current of 11A and a no-load loss of 8mA.
The controller is a PWM 2-stage charger with a 14.2V boost charge and a 13.8V float charge. Boost charging runs for 2 hours. AIMS says it charges most battery types, including lithium, and is designed to keep batteries at a steady level without overcharging.
Two LEDs show what the system is doing. The solar charge indicator is steady when the panel has voltage and flashes slowly while charging. The battery status indicator is steady when the battery is connected and flashes quickly if the battery is over-discharged.
The controller comes pre-wired with MC4 input and output connectors and extended leads, listed as 1 ft input and 5 ft output in AIMS's quick start guide. The panel has a 90 cm output cable with MC4 connectors. Charge controller to battery cables and mounting brackets for the panel are included.
Sheds and garages. Keep a battery charged in a building without grid power.
Remote setups. Maintain a battery at a remote off-grid site where grid power is unavailable or impractical.
Homes. AIMS lists homes among the places the Lightning Bug fits, for battery maintenance without relying on grid power.
Long term battery systems. Use the 50W panel as a steady trickle charger for a battery bank that needs continuous maintenance.
A plug-in maintainer needs an outlet nearby. The Lightning Bug uses a 50W solar panel and a waterproof controller, so it can keep a battery charged in a shed, garage or remote spot without grid power.
A complete kit adds a battery and an inverter for AC power. The Lightning Bug is a base kit for batteries you already have. AIMS describes it as an expandable design that allows additional components to be added as your power needs grow.
A panel wired straight to a battery has nothing to manage the charge. The included PWM controller handles boost and float charging and shows the battery's status through its LEDs.
AIMS's quick start guide rates the SCC11ARPM for 12V battery systems. Its limits are a maximum PV input voltage under 30 Voc and a maximum PV input power of 190W. If you plan to change the panel side of the system later, stay within those limits.
Always connect the battery first, positive then negative, and attach the solar panel after that. To disconnect, remove the panel first, then the battery. AIMS recommends 10 AWG waterproof PV wire and good quality MC4 connectors. If you don't need to extend the battery cable, you can cut off its MC4 connectors and add lugs. Note the polarity, since reversing it voids the warranty. Install the controller with good ventilation, check connections often and fully charge the battery at least once a month.
No. The Lightning Bug is a solar charging kit for existing battery systems. It includes the 50W panel, mounting brackets, the 11 amp controller and charge controller to battery cables.
The PV50MONO measures 26.75 x 20 x 1.18 inches and weighs 8.8 lb. AIMS says to allow about 4 square feet for the panel.
AIMS says the SCC11ARPM charges most battery types, including lithium. Its charge settings are a 14.2V boost and a 13.8V float, so check them against your battery's requirements.
A steady solar light means the panel has voltage, and a slow flash means it's charging. A quick flash on the solar light means system over voltage. On the battery light, steady means the battery is connected and a quick flash means it's over-discharged.
AIMS lists a 3 year warranty for the charge controller.
The AIMS Power Lightning Bug Frontier Solar Kit pairs a 50W monocrystalline panel with an IP68 waterproof 11 amp PWM controller, brackets and battery cables to keep your battery maintained wherever grid power isn't available. If you'd like help matching it to your battery or planning the install, the Outbound Power team is happy to help.
AIMS Power Lightning Bug Frontier Solar Kit | 50W Solar Panel, 11A PWM Charge Controller Specifications |
|
|---|---|
| Kit Contents | |
| Solar Panel | 1 x 50 Watt Solar Panel (PV50MONO) |
| Mounting Brackets | Mounting brackets for solar panels |
| Charge Controller | 1 x 11 Amp Solar Charge Controller Weatherproof (SCC11ARPM) |
| Battery Cables | Charge controller to battery cables |
| Panel Space Needed | About 4 sq ft |
| Battery and Inverter | Not included |
| Solar Panels | |
| Model | PV50MONO |
| Maximum Power (Pmax) | 50W |
| Voltage at Max Power (Vmp) | 18V |
| Current at Max Power (Imp) | 2.78A |
| Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) | 21.6V |
| Short Circuit Current (Isc) | 2.99A |
| Power Tolerance | 0 to +3W |
| Cell Type | Monocrystalline |
| Number of Cells | 36 (12 x 3) |
| Cell Efficiency | 17.12% |
| Module Efficiency | 14.42% |
| Maximum Series Fuse | 15A |
| Maximum System Voltage | 1000VDC |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +80°C |
| NOCT | 45±2°C |
| Temperature Coefficient of Pmax | -0.37%/°C |
| Temperature Coefficient of Voc | -0.29%/°C |
| Temperature Coefficient of Isc | -0.048%/°C |
| Glass | 3.2 mm tempered glass |
| Frame | Clear anodized aluminum |
| Backsheet | TPT |
| Junction Box | IP65 |
| Output Cable | 90 cm, 2 x 4.0 mm², MC4 connector |
| Bus Bar | 5BB |
| Mechanical Load | Passed 6000Pa snow load and 3600Pa wind load |
| Dimensions | 26.75 x 20 x 1.18 in |
| Weight | 8.8 lb |
| Charge Controller | |
| Model | SCC11ARPM |
| Battery System Voltage | 12V |
| Max System Current | 11A |
| Charging Type | PWM, 2-stage |
| Boost Charge Voltage | 14.2V |
| Boost Charge Duration | 2 hours |
| Float Charge Voltage | 13.8V |
| Boost Charge Recovery Voltage | 13.2V |
| Over-Discharge Voltage | 11.1V |
| Over-Discharge Recovery Voltage | 12.6V |
| Max PV Input Voltage | Under 30 Voc |
| Max PV Input Power | 190W |
| No-Load Loss | 8mA |
| Battery Types | Most types, including lithium |
| Indicators | Solar charge LED, battery status LED |
| Connectors | MC4 input and output |
| Leads | 1 ft input, 5 ft output |
| Waterproof Rating | IP68 |
| Operating Temperature | -31°F to 140°F (-35°C to 60°C) |
| Cables and Hardware | |
| Mounting Brackets | Included |
| Charge Controller to Battery Cables | Included |
| Recommended PV Wire | 10 AWG waterproof PV wire |
| Warranty | |
| Charge Controller | 3 years |
Yes! Outbound Power is an Authorized Dealer for every single brand and product on our store.
Shipping times vary depending on your location and the product or products ordered.
Order Processing Time
Most products are processed within 1-3 business days. If there is a delay in processing your order, we will alert you with as much information as possible about what to expect.
After order processing is complete, you will receive tracking information to monitor your order while it is in transit.
Order Shipping Time
Following processing, it may take between 3 and 8 days to arrive, depending on your location.
Please refer to the product page for your item and reference the estimated delivery time frame for more details.
Additionally, you can see the estimated delivery time frame during checkout and receive a tracking number once your order ships.
Everything on our store ships for free. Really!
Most items may be returned within 30 days of delivery. Please refer to our Returns & Exchanges policy to determine what items are eligible. Returns are not accepted beyond 30 days following delivery.
Everything sold on our website is brand-new.
No — we price BEAT! Please refer to our Price Beat Promise for full details.
Click to apply at checkout
placeholder
