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FlexBoss21 / GridBoss Issue List

James Showalter said:
View attachment 283803
Irradiance and temperature coefficients on the PV make them a very unsolid basis to hit the minimum windo without a 20% buffer at least. I think Ryan Mayfield's book was what showed me this back in 2014, I hated it, even wired up a 6kw system for a friend at 130v on a solis grid tie with the same window, had to go back out and run it in strings of 6 instead of 3. the hope had been that battery chargers were at 150v max at the time and I could swap between the units for a hybrid experience.

Not meant personally, but if people just read spec sheets they need to understand that electronics are solid and panels are not, their voltage collapses under use and irradiance has a secondary effect as well as temperature
Click to expand...
Yes I understand this. My 20% buffer is not working here.
 
Will Prowse said:
This is something I did a couple days ago:
View attachment 283804View attachment 283805View attachment 283806View attachment 283807

Not VOC, but working voltage of six panels was 187V. I connected it to the flex boss MPPT. Spec sheet states the lowest voltage is 120. I figured 187V working (and 220VOC) would be enough. But unfortunately the performance was awful. I can show you multiple other products that are specd properly, and I can show you the solar panels I was using. And I even show this in multiple videos in the past.
Click to expand...
In the latest version of the flexboss manual they've added in the full power mppt voltage range, starting at 250V
 
Did some testing with my array and found the following.

Peak irradiance and a cool day with 6 panels:
20250310_132744.jpg20250310_132907.jpg
Then I waited ten minutes because it's grid tie/hybrid, same results:
20250310_133842.jpg


Then I added the seventh panel, and now I have full output:
20250310_134331.jpg
20250310_134334.jpg
20250310_134634.jpg
And you can see the voltage dropped to 186 now that current is flowing.

The tracking was instant. Did not have to wait to get full output.

(Battery soc climbed with first array because I have another charger on that system right now)
 
Last edited:
skimandan said:
@EG4TechSolutionsTeam

Hi, I decided to let it run today at 12kW Force Discharge until hitting my 30% SOC cutoff. It really is interesting to watch the loads and sources balance throughout the day. The only real constant is the 12kW Export to Grid limit.
From 11:00 to 12:00 it was only serving my 1kW local loads and Export to Grid which is set to 16kW but only achieves 12kW.
It will service 16kW AC if 4kW are local loads. My EV charger pulls 4kW so I let it run around 12:00.
I ran out of battery around 13:35.
May I run any more tests for you?
Are we still blaming clouds or my PV?
View attachment 283350
Click to expand...

Thank you for your patience as we’ve worked through additional testing on our end. After conducting multiple tests with different firmware versions, including our standard release firmware and the settings from your station, we have not been able to replicate the issue. At this time, this remains the only active report of this behavior.

To move forward, we’d like to set up a call to recommission the system and perform additional troubleshooting directly with you.
 
Will Prowse said:
Did some testing with my array and found the following.

Peak irradiance and a cool day with 6 panels:
View attachment 283843View attachment 283844
Then I waited ten minutes because it's grid tie/hybrid, same results:
View attachment 283845


Then I added the seventh panel, and now I have full output:
View attachment 283846
View attachment 283847
View attachment 283848
And you can see the voltage dropped to 186 now that current is flowing.

The tracking was instant. Did not have to wait to get full output.

(Battery soc climbed with first array because I have another charger on that system right now)
Click to expand...


Your PV Start is set at 200v Will. I can drop it if you want or you can either way.
 

Attachments

  • Remote Set - Monitor Center 2025-03-10 16-46-24.png
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jharrell said:
Was that what it defaulted to? If so would make sense it be defaulted to the listed minimums to avoid this kind of confusion.
Click to expand...
Currently it's defaulted to 200V. Just talked to them. It was for keeping voltage high enough for using it battery less. They were having issues with it set to other numbers. Now they are changing software to have the setting only enabled when it senses no battery. Otherwise the minimum voltage will be lower now. I guess in next firmware update.
 
Will Prowse said:
Holy cow that was fast, I screenshot for my post above a few hours ago. Glad it's updated now.
Click to expand...

Yes nice to see surge specs now but would like it to be a little more clear, 24kw for .5 seconds ok, then 195 LRA listed further down.

Would prefer similar units for surge rather than jumping back and forth from amps to kw.

24 kw is 100 amps for 500ms
195 amps is 46.8kw for how long?
A/C compressor start surge is going to be around 400ms then 100a for the next 100ms?

Not trying to be picky, good to see feedback being incorporated.
 
Last edited:
jharrell said:
Yes nice to see surge specs now but would like it to be a little more clear, 24kw for .5 seconds ok, then 195 LRA listed further down.

Would prefer similar units for surge rather than jumping back and forth from amps to kw.

24 kw is 100 amps for 500ms
195 amps is 46.8kw for how long?
A/C compressor start surge is going to be around 400ms then 100a for the next 100ms?

Not trying to be picky, good to see feedback being incorporated.
Click to expand...
Probably 1 cycle or so
 
skimandan said:
Howdy folks,
First solar setup. Everything from the panels, mounts, j-boxes, disconnect switches, wallmount batteries, etc worked exactly as planned with exception of the GridBoss/FlexBoss combo. I've had my gridboss / flexboss system in production for a week, trying to fine tune my system so I don't need to touch it again for a decade or so. I have encountered a few features that do not work per spec, or in the way advertised, or are just missing completely. Signature Solar has guided me through a number of undocumented workarounds to some of the issues, what I lovingly call "hacks" that can resolve some of them.

Here is my list. Let me know if these are resolved. Please link to other issues so future buyers are aware of the current status of these issues. I'll try to stay on top of the thread and will update this post as needed. I want these products to succeed and be relevant for many years.
Sincerely,
Your humble unpaid beta tester.

Software Config / Performance –
  • FlexBoss21 Manual vs. Software settings vs. Signature Solar settings. Many of the settings in the software do not do what you would expect. In order to keep my battery throughout the night I have to Activate A/C charge, then give a time period, then trickle charge the battery for the time period. Seriously? What is the point of having a manual if none of the settings in the software work the way they should. Every modification to settings practically requires a call to Signature Solar because the settings do not do what you think they should do. I can only guess that someone thought it better to staff with lots of technical support techs instead of writing an accurate manual and quality software. The problem is when I need to make a change on a weekend or if EG4 goes bankrupt, or I no longer have the latest and greatest inverter and no one is familiar with it. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE AND MANUALS SO A SKILLED HUMAN WITH ELECTRICAL KNOWLEDGE CAN OPERATE IT WITH CONFIDENCE!
  • FlexBoss21 Optimal string voltage is claimed to be 120V-440, but does not appear to work even when string voltage is higher than 140V. This is costing me production I was planning on. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/flexboss21-error.98378/
  • GridBoss may not be able to handle high pass through current from the Grid. Awaiting resolution. Resolved in beta firmware provided to SlowRoller 2/2/2025. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/gridboss-with-flexboss-not-handling-21kw-pass-through.97560/
  • Pressing RSD button on FlexBoss21 shuts down GridBoss backup load even though the grid connection remains active. Not user configurable. 2/5/25 EG4 Tech confirmed this is intended. There is no mention in the manual of main grid shutdown during RSD.
  • GridBoss Smart Ports - Signature Solar Tech warned me the Smart Ports may not work in a grid down scenario when I was asking how to set it up with my EV charger. I asked three times to confirm. They said they double checked with level 2 tech. This may be a training issue with that poor tech, but I'm putting it here until proven otherwise. Ports verified to work 1/31/25 with Grid down. See this thread. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/gridboss-smart-loads.98598/
  • Time of Use settings described on page 45 of the FlexBoss21 settings do not exist in the inverter settings. Requires workarounds to enact and the techs were unable to create enough workarounds to meet my 3 pricing periods. Also unable to handle weekend pricing. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/flexboss-21-time-of-use-settings.98597/
Cosmetic – simple workmanship issues that make me not want to show normal people my system:
  • Web monitor does not provide picture of Flexboss21 when linked to Gridboss – its just a nebulous square. Upload a nice selfie please!
  • Indoor Wallmount conduit box top cutouts do not line up with GridBoss punchouts.
  • Copper only - this was well documented but nobody uses copper at 200A!
@EG4TechSolutionsTeam
Click to expand...
What is the 200A copper required workaround for grid cables not copper?
 
Thank you for your patience as we’ve worked through additional testing on our end. After conducting multiple tests with different firmware versions, including our standard release firmware and the settings from your station, we have not been able to replicate the issue. At this time, this remains the only active report of this behavior.

To move forward, we’d like to set up a call to recommission the system and perform additional troubleshooting directly with you.
Click to expand...
I'll take you up on this offer.
In the meantime, please forward any documented steps I can take to fix the 12kW AC Grid Export limitation. It's not urgent today but I suspect it will be during summer.
 
Last edited:
James Showalter said:
View attachment 283803
Irradiance and temperature coefficients on the PV make them a very unsolid basis to hit the minimum windo without a 20% buffer at least. I think Ryan Mayfield's book was what showed me this back in 2014, I hated it, even wired up a 6kw system for a friend at 130v on a solis grid tie with the same window, had to go back out and run it in strings of 6 instead of 3. the hope had been that battery chargers were at 150v max at the time and I could swap between the units for a hybrid experience.

Not meant personally, but if people just read spec sheets they need to understand that electronics are solid and panels are not, their voltage collapses under use and irradiance has a secondary effect as well as temperature
Click to expand...
Cold sunny January day. Voltage over 150. 4 panels. Not expecting miracle efficiency, but did expect it to function and it did not:
1741668289900.png
Here are all the reasons I expected it to at least work.
S

Post in thread 'FlexBoss21 / GridBoss Issue List'

EG4TechSolutionsTeam said:
2. FlexBoss21 Optimal string voltage is claimed to be 120V-440, but does not appear to work even when string voltage is higher than 140V. This is costing me production I was planning on. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/flexboss21-error.98378/

Operation voltage is between 120-440VDC. However, nominal voltage is at 360VDC.

undefined
Click to expand...
Hi there friend, this keeps coming across as blaming me for not knowing which of the published specs to believe while designing my system. You are grabbing one piece that defends...
  • Like

There is no need to be condescending. This isn't even a hobby for me. I just want the boxes you sell to do what the label says.
 
skimandan said:
Cold sunny January day. Voltage over 150. 4 panels. Not expecting miracle efficiency, but did expect it to function and it did not:
View attachment 283976
Here are all the reasons I expected it to at least work.
S

Post in thread 'FlexBoss21 / GridBoss Issue List'

EG4TechSolutionsTeam said:
2. FlexBoss21 Optimal string voltage is claimed to be 120V-440, but does not appear to work even when string voltage is higher than 140V. This is costing me production I was planning on. https://diysolarforum.com/threads/flexboss21-error.98378/

Operation voltage is between 120-440VDC. However, nominal voltage is at 360VDC.

undefined
Click to expand...
Hi there friend, this keeps coming across as blaming me for not knowing which of the published specs to believe while designing my system. You are grabbing one piece that defends...
  • Like

There is no need to be condescending. This isn't even a hobby for me. I just want the boxes you sell to do what the label says.
Click to expand...
I understand how frustrated you are but is there a way to add two more panels to your array? And change the settings for start up voltage.
 
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