The EG4 FlexBOSS21 and GridBOSS Deep Dive!

[@byronholman9228]

This was probably one of the best explained videos on this topic

[@DIYSolarFarming]

Thanks for watching!

[@steven7650]

Lots of partial information in here. So those smart ports are really just to schedule your higher demand loads, EV, Hot water heater, 2nd ev, AC, and such. But moreover by allowing it to manage those extremely high loads it saves you the cost of upgrading to a 400A service which is thousands. That's the real perk of the smart ports, not having to pay 5k for the service upgrade. Additionally speaking of service updgrades by having the gridboss handle the service and allow you to expand the inverters as your power grows. It saves thousands in complexity. Prior to gridboss if you wanted maore than the one inverter to power your entire home. It required the additon of a second main panel that only the inverters fed into. Otherwise the inverters and loads could overload the buss bars in the main panel. This was a costly addition and complex. Look at the diagram in the 18k for multiple inverters. It's crazy complex even for an EE/electrician. Grid boss saves the thousands on this second panel install and greatly simplifies the installation Further by dividing up the inverters it allows you to place the inverters closer to the solar panels. So say you have a battery shed next to a stand alone set of panels. Or your house is like 70ft long. That requires lots of oversized wires that are super expensive to run run to the house. Now with the inverters insolated you can run AC power lines back to the grid boss. You need 3 inverters to fully supply 200A but that's naturally super expensive. so this allows you to expand over time or right size for your housing needs.

[@DIYSolarFarming]

You nailed it! The FlexBOSS21 and GridBOSS simplify solar installations in a big way.

[@LARPer_1]

Good info!

[@eekedout]

The FlexBoss can not output 21kw. Only 12k on battery and upto 16k with solar

[@DIYSolarFarming]

Yes you are correct, 21kW pv input.

[@RoyceBluford]

you are so right! without the grid boss the flex boss 21 can't do AC coupling.

[@eekedout]

No it cannot.

[@RoyceBluford]

It sound good, but i have solar panels already so i need AC coupling from the start. I'm doing it little by little, if i buy just the flex boss21 just by itself i have no where to put my AC coupling, so doing the eg4 12k or the 18k pv and putting in battery later I'm okay all around,

[@DIYSolarFarming]

That seems to be the case, the only thing I see in the manual is this on page 7 "Full AC coupling, generator, and smart loads capabilities when used with GridBOSS." I'll find out what the story is tomorrow and post it here.

[@DIYSolarFarming]

Here is the reply I received from EG4, Thanks for reaching out, yes, due to the lack of a generator input port, which is typically the location where our hybrid inverters initiate AC coupling through, a grid boss IS needed as well as battery backup connected to the FlexBoss. Thank you for your time, Jacob Morris. EG4 Technical Support Specialist.

[@DIYSolarFarming]

Looking at this again, it seems like there should be a way in Off-Grid mode through the Grid connection unless they deactivate in software?

[@RoyceBluford]

@DIYSolarFarming but I would lose then grid support. They make you need to buy the grid boss. At least with the 12k or 18k, you would have a gen port to run your ac coupling through.

[@RoyceBluford]

@DIYSolarFarming the grid boss is a very good ideal. When you look at all the jobs it does or other parts you would need to buy.

[@notmyname9876]

this was basically an infomercial. scripted fake questions to each other back and forth. so cringe

[@hubbellc]

Ai generated 😢

[@offgridwanabe]

Define compatible inverters and give examples.

[@DIYSolarFarming]

Thanks for the reply! The Grid BOSS is fully compatible with EG4’s range of hybrid inverters, including the 12kPV, 18kPV, and Flex BOSS 21. If your asking about the Flex BOSS 21, you can AC couple just about any newer Grid tie or Hybrid inverter that allows Frequency Shifting.

[@petersamios5409]

Thanks for the explanations, but one thing that was missed was Conservation. For Solar and alternate energy sources and methods to become viable for the typical "American", we're going have to reduce our imprints/dependencies on energy. This means addressing both the building envelope (heating/cooling) and appliance and lighting efficiencies first. Otherwise, dependencies on the grid will probably not go away.

[@DIYSolarFarming]

You are absolutely right, efficiency is a key. However with the cost of solar so low now, if you can DIY and have the space it's becoming less of a concern.