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Alibaba Solar Scam : Light Flickering issue with Chinese Solar Inverter Voltronic VM IV clone SunBoost

T

TechSree

New Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2023
Messages
54
Location
India
Update on 20-01-2025
one member from this form has the same experience and he has also contacted me . Alibaba is helping this seller to do the scam. Initially I thought its only a problem with the received inverter But they are doing the same with him also. Alibaba will tell you that there is not enfough evidence even if you are giving the evidence . They are just scamming customers with the help of alibaba.


OLD POST

Please help me if any one has experienced the same issue
I have purchased an inverter Called Sunboost VM 4 TWIN from alibaba and facing the following issues

1.The LEB bulbs/Tubes Connected to the inverter will Flicker if solar is present. At night it will work fine but at day time we cant use LED Lights .
Noticed that the flickering issue is more noticeable when changed to 160V range(4 panel series) solar volt and its less noticeable with with solar volt 120 range (3 panel series) . This is the main issue and they are just saying that its normal with their inverter and rejecting the claim.
2. the wifi APP and WIFI Manual they have shared was having many features (Solar of things App) and in reality it will not work with that app and its working with smart life app , then its giving only minimal info. For this they are saying that will give $20 compensation

3. BMS communication is not Proper.

4. RGB LED Ring and Screen is set to turn off in settings but it will be always on even if we are setting it off . For the First few hours the screen off was worked but the RGB is not going off. After 1 day both screen and RGB Ring is not going to off mode

The main issue was the LED Bulb flickering issue . that is making problem in eye and we will also experience issues like head ache if using with this flickering.
Already used different Chinese inverter and I have not noticed any issues like this
The exact model number of the inverter is - SUNBOOST VMIV TWIN 6K .
in the listing its says that - SUNBOOST VMIV TWIN 6K High Efficiency Solar Inverter 4KW 6KW 120A MPPT On-Off Grid Single Output for Solar Energy Systems.
Using the 6KW model , Attached Users Manual . Now added the Users manual since "Crowz" incresed the limit to 10 MB
Unable to attach pdf so added in google drive and shared the link

Sunboost_VM IV-TWIN-4K6K-On-Off-grid-manual-09112024.pdf

drive.google.com drive.google.com

I will also include the sample video of bulb when flicking when solar is available (Video 1)and night video when its not flickering(Video2).

Added to youtube as unlisted video so please use the link bellow if needed

Expecting your valuable feedback and suggestions
Thanks

Video 1 -

Video 2 -

Inverter image
sunboot Inverter.jpg
Expecting your valuable feedback and suggestions
Thanks
 

Attachments

Last edited:
If there is a setting that says hybrid/take load together or something along these lines you can try turning it off
 
shvm said:
If there is a setting that says hybrid/take load together or something along these lines you can try turning it off
Click to expand...
I have tried by truing off the 2nd load output but it didn't helped . Also tried with different troubleshooting , output settings like 220,230,240 volt range and 50, 60HZ range . But these didn't helped.
 
I wonder if it's "under loading", in the past I've had (el-cheapo) inverters that like to have a minimum load below which they become unstable.

Do you have a heater/kettle/floodlight that can put a couple of hundred watts on the output?

Does it fix the flickering?

It might be as simple as replacing one of the LEDs with a regular lamp.
 
Last edited:
TechSree said:
I have tried by truing off the 2nd load output but it didn't helped . Also tried with different troubleshooting , output settings like 220,230,240 volt range and 50, 60HZ range . But these didn't helped.
Click to expand...
Turn off the AC breaker and check if flickering is still there

Basically, verify whether flickering is present with grid input or without
 
shvm said:
Turn off the AC breaker and check if flickering is still there

Basically, verify whether flickering is present with grid input or without
Click to expand...
The flickering of bulb is only when Solar is available. if its working on grid or Battery there is no issue with flickering.
Also note that the flickering issue is more noticeable when changed to 160V range(4 panel series) solar volt and its less noticeable with with solar volt 120 range (3 panel series).
 
TechSree said:
Can we use a PC oscilloscope like bellow to check with this issue or it will be an additional waste of money ?
- FNIRSI DSO152 Oscilloscope - Since we can get these items at reasonable price like under RS 3000( $35 ) range
View attachment 266337
Click to expand...
anyway just purchasing this one , I believe this will at least able to show the issue. Please let me know if this device is not suitable for the indented purpose or you have a better alternative at this price range.
 
Hmmm. No matter what you do, it's going to require opening the inverter and troubleshooting. At this point, if you intend to keep the inverter, then I recommend buying a separate charge controller and not using the one built into the inverter at all.

With that being said, if you're keeping the inverter, and bent on troubleshooting it with nothing more than duck tape and bailing wire, then a sound card oscilloscope is the absolute cheapest way to go. Use a 220v to 6v transformer and see what your wave form looks like with and without sun.

Sound Card Oscilloscope Software

Software that turns your PC into an oscilloscope. No one needs to be without a way of investigating electronic signals any more.
homediyelectronics.com homediyelectronics.com

Do be prepared to fry yourself and maybe your equipment in the attempt. Do not create a ground loop.

Wonder why your 35 dollar scope costs me 3000!!!!
1735598683837.png

Also, your manual talks about how to upgrade firmware with a usb stick. Yell at the manufacturer for an updated firmware to try.

Crossy also asked a very good question as far as under-loading. With the solar charging, and a load of 500 watts or so, does that make a difference?
 
HexeH said:
Wonder why your 35 dollar scope costs me 3000!!!!
Click to expand...

Yeah, 3075 INR about 35USD :)

As above, use a transformer to isolate your scope (and yourself) from the bitey stuff.

You CAN do direct measurements, but you really need to use two x10 probes and differential mode, don't connect the probe ground clips!! I would advise against doing this unless you know exactly what you are doing.
 
HexeH said:
Hmmm. No matter what you do, it's going to require opening the inverter and troubleshooting. At this point, if you intend to keep the inverter, then I recommend buying a separate charge controller and not using the one built into the inverter at all.

With that being said, if you're keeping the inverter, and bent on troubleshooting it with nothing more than duck tape and bailing wire, then a sound card oscilloscope is the absolute cheapest way to go. Use a 220v to 6v transformer and see what your wave form looks like with and without sun.

Sound Card Oscilloscope Software

Software that turns your PC into an oscilloscope. No one needs to be without a way of investigating electronic signals any more.
homediyelectronics.com homediyelectronics.com

Do be prepared to fry yourself and maybe your equipment in the attempt. Do not create a ground loop.

Wonder why your 35 dollar scope costs me 3000!!!!


Also, your manual talks about how to upgrade firmware with a usb stick. Yell at the manufacturer for an updated firmware to try.

Crossy also asked a very good question as far as under-loading. With the solar charging, and a load of 500 watts or so, does that make a difference?
Click to expand...
As Crossy said please note that its amazon.in and its in INR - 3000 INR is 35USD.
I have tried with load above 1500W ,1000W ,500W from solar and getting the same result. If we are turning off solar or at night time there is no issue of flickering with the same LED bulbs and tubes .
I have no plan to keep the inverter but the seller is not not taking it back and just saying that they will give give $20 as compensation for the WiFi.
I also think there is some issue with firmware since the inverter screen and RGB Ring Light is not turning off even if set "off" in settings . it will always on . I don't like keeping it on always since it will attract some small insects at night.
I have also created a dispute in alibaba since seller is not properly solving the issue and saying that inverter is fine and it working as designed.

Thanks for your help and information regarding the precautions .
 
crossy said:
Yeah, 3075 INR about 35USD :)

As above, use a transformer to isolate your scope (and yourself) from the bitey stuff.

You CAN do direct measurements, but you really need to use two x10 probes and differential mode, don't connect the probe ground clips!! I would advise against doing this unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Click to expand...
This one has a buit-in rechargeable battery so i think its good to use it after charging. also this one has only one x10 probe so do I need to purchase extra 10x probe or can i do it with single x10 probe. Based on the youtube videos they are checking with only one x10 probe.
I think this device support only one x10 probe. any thoughts regarding this ?
 
TechSree said:
This one has a buit-in rechargeable battery so i think its good to use it after charging. also this one has only one x10 probe so do I need to purchase extra 10x probe or can i do it with single x10 probe. Based on the youtube videos they are checking with only one x10 probe.
I think this device support only one x10 probe. any thoughts regarding this ?
Click to expand...
Yeah, it seems to be only one channel so no differential measurement :(

I would certainly use a simple transformer to isolate it and you from hazardous voltages.
 
crossy said:
Yeah, it seems to be only one channel so no differential measurement :(

I would certainly use a simple transformer to isolate it and you from hazardous voltages.
Click to expand...
Got the portable oscilloscope- https://amzn.to/3VZlSyn
Now I am able to see that when its working battery the wave form is stable and when its working on solar there is distortion in the wave from even though its sine wave. this flickering leads to the flickering of LED bulbs and tube Lights. Alibaba said that they will give a partial refund. I think if sharing this will help them to understand the situation better .
 
I just noticed that if we are setting the max charging to 10 or 20 it will reset it to 40 after few minutes. Already done complaint regarding the above issue on alibaba since seller is not properly solving the issue. they just telling that its the problem with solar and trying to avoid the fact that its a faulty inverter they have delivered. if solar is low it can take power from battery since 10kw LFP battery pack connected to it . Looks like cheat customers if they don't have enough knowledge.
 
Hey Team, I'm also faced this issue with same SunBoost 6KW VM-VI Twin model from Alibaba and same flickering issue in my inverter and they provide same type wifi card which is only connect with smart life with limited features even i order again a motherboard with control card still no solution for flickering and SunBoost Alibaba team can't accept this according to Sunboost issue in my grid side voltage but I have another Company Hybrid inverter which works too smooth on same location.
At present firmware in my both control card maybe issue in firmware with this motherboard
U1 6010
U2 3917

I test this inverter in multi-scenarios
1) When inverter running only on battery output is so smooth no light flickering and humming noise from old transformer based inverter. (No Grid & Solar connected).
2) Now Inverter running on battery when i connect grid and inverter starts charging immediately lights starts flickering and humming noise from old inverter this time i set charging Solar and Utility. (Battery + Grid Connected)
3) When my home lights connected to Grid directly and I connect inverter with same GRID at present no Solar and Battery connected I change charging mode and grid feed mode.
-> When settings change to ( Charging mode - Solar and Utility with Grid Feed Enable) same issue and also disturb grid side voltage because my home lights direct connected to grid still lights flickering and humming noise from old inverter.
-> When settings change to (Charging mode - Solar Only with Grid Feed Enable) now no flickering on lights and humming noise is too low from old inverter.
-> When settings change to ( Charging mode - Solar and Utility with Grid Feed Disable) now no flickering on lights and humming noise is too low from old inverter.
-> When settings change to (Charging mode - Solar Only with Grid Feed Disable) now no flickering on lights and humming noise is too low from old inverter.

The main issue is Grid Voltage fluctuations when Inverter is connected that's why lights flicker even i have DSO if required anything i will provide.
Please help for this issue and if possible please provide any suitable OLD/NEW Firmware for this inverter with flash process.

Check attached both motherboard reference
Sunboost SCAM.jpg


Thank you to all team members for their valuable support and time contribution. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
 
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