Though not a customer of yours (we live in the south) I found your video very informative. The video from Fox ESS just shows how to install, rather than how to use the app. Well done and thanks.
Thats great to hear thank you very much for the kind comment! Don't forget to like and subscribe for more useful tips as I install Fox more than any other brand!
Thankyou so much for this. I was totally confused and unsure how to navigate around the app to get the best out of my battery. This has explained and clarified the process
Amazing advice, shame my installer didn't go over any of this with me. Thanks for the info. It is probably worth pointing out that if you have enabled the Mode Scheduler, you will get errors in the app, when trying to set anything outside the mode scheduler. If that's the case, go into the Mode Scheduler, turn the settings off and submit, then return back to the previous screen and configure what you need (I did the Min SOC etc), and once finished go back into Mode Scheduler and re-enable everything. Very happy I cam across your vid. Keep up the great work.
Excellent video thank you, this guidance is just what I needed as I have just changed to Octopus Flux I will update my inverter firmware and look at doing this.
Quick question would there be any negative impacts to the battery that might outweigh the amount we are gaining from the electricity provider? Has there been any calculation around this?
If you own a Fox ESS solar system you may want to watch this video as it explains how to start using the new 'force discharge' capability introduced with the new app version 2.0 and firmware updates. Let us know in the comments if you have Fox and managed to update your system and if you think 'force discharge' will benefit you?
Is there a limit in the UK to the max you can draw on a single phase inverter? Like how EV manufacturers decided 32a per phase was the max so on single phase you can’t do more than 7.6kw? Or.. can you find as big as an inverter you can with some buffer on your main fuse? I’ve seen 16kw single phase inverters being sold in countries outside the UK. But I’m also seeing some new 10kw single phase inverters coming on the market. I’m asking because you can buy a 75 kWh Tesla model 3 battery pack off eBay for about £3,000. I’m currently on octopus intelligent go so between 23:30 and 05:30 I can charge the battery up for 7p /kWh and sell it for £0.15 So with a 10kw inverter that’s 50 kWh over 5 hours off peak. Which gives a Tesla battery about 30% buffer which sounds good. £3.50 to charge it up £7.50 to sell it £4 profit a day = £1460 a year profit, not including the savings of being able to run my home all day for 7p / kWh I would buy two Tesla batteries and double the return, but my house is only single phase unfortunately and I’d need a 20kw single phase inverter which I don’t think exists, not to mention my supply is 100A and that would be way too close to the max 24kw supply I have
Great video. Thanks for your helpful information as I've been struggling how to get the most of my Octopus flux. One thing that bothers Mr and would like your help please. What happens if i don't set the discharge: since it's winter, is rather use my battery top up for my home instead of exporting to the grid. Thank you.
@alpselectrical Any idea how I go about setting it up do I use my battery rather than export to the grid. I tried setting it up but it congress on once the battery is fully charged from the grid. It starts to discharge. Not sure how to set it to avoid that because it appears to override the time i set it up for.
If you have a 5kw inverter and set the force discharge to 5000w and happened to have say 2kw excess solar power would the excess solar power be clipped?
Interesting question! I would assume that the batteries would prioritise charging over discharging and halt the discharge to accept the excess but this is something I am not 100% sure about so will certainly ask Fox the question. It is certainly true that a 5KW inverter can only ever work at 5KW maximum
Great Video, really helpful. Only feedback would be that when you are showing your phone screen, we can't see where you are "clicking", to follow the steps easily. Might want to edit the video to highlight these.
Mine has gone funny today and didn’t show anything on the screen until evening and then shows only discharges until 04.00 I wish there was some basic manual to explain all these app controls. My clock is wrong and that stops charging at the time set.
I have a FOX hybrid inverter and a cube. What happens when minimum soc is reached in solar battery please? Does it keep the charge at 10% and get power from grid or run it down to 0%?
Hi, whatever you set the min SOC is where the battery will stop and not drop below. I set mine to 10% too. Once it gets to min SOC it will just wait for top up either from grid or solar whichever is sooner :) Hope that helps
Hi such a good video,I havejust had a system installed, 6kw panels, 6kw hybrid inventory,plus 4 x 11kw Fox batteries, in this winter I intend to use my batteries to run my house completely on the batteries, which includes my 10kw Grant heat pump. I do charge my batteries in 02.00 to 05.00 low rate, but I was looking for the information on the app settings,mode scheduling etc. Thanks for all the information. Just what I needed. I have subscribed to you channel. As a point I have been talking to Octopus, about going on Cozy tarriff, as it gives me 3 slots to charge my batteries, totalling 8 hrs. The 2am to 5 am. Doesn't fully recharge them. Not a problem at the moment, I was worried how low can they go. I have been down to 40%. Before the charge kicks in. Thank you for an interesting explanation.
Hi, you need to make sure your firmware is up to date - your installer can contact Fox, or you can do that yourself to request an update - the updates don't happen automatically unfortunately :)
They can on my installer portal I have never looked at a customers web portal, only their app. I would assume that you can though, but the settings won't be available to you unless your system is on the latest firmware which you need to call Fox for to ask them to update them
If you go to the inverter details page on the web app, on the top left of the energy flow panel there should be a little icon (a box with a line coming out of the corner). Clicking this should take you to a page where you can edit it (I have mine set to user-defined, with manually added time periods)
Really helpful video, thanks. I’m now up and running force charging and discharging on octopus flux. One question, I can’t see a way to set the force charge rate. Is it better for my battery if I charge a bit slower (e.g. 4kW rather than my inverter’s 9kW) as there’s enough time to fully charge the battery before 5am at the slower rate?
Yeah some say it can be - I guess the only proof would be using two systems alongside each other for the life of the batteries and charging one at its full potential and the other at 50% for example and see if it has an effect on the life of the battery, albeit an impossible experiment. To be honest I do not worry about it at all I just use the batteries to their fullest potential and if and when they are needing changing there will be better batteries on the market and probably cheaper and they will have more than paid themselves back. But there are customers who reduce the charge rate!
Thanks for making this video, we are soon to get solar and a battery and opted for the fox ess as it was significantly cheaper. It only has five years warranty apparently and the installer said there's a subscription cost after the first year, have you found this?
No, it is 10 year warranty you just have to register it - we usually do this for our customers! Definitly no subscription cost, I have Fox myself not sure where they are getting that from?
I'm trying to set force charge, set correct work mode and to/from times, hit save and get error message "Max SOC The number range of 10~100". I understand the need for setting the max/target SOC for force charge, but can't find where to enter it!?
Hi the app is having real issues at the moment. Honestly the easiest way to get it sorted and set to how you want it, would be to call Fox and get them to set it over the phone - 02475100078 - you will need your inverter serial number. You can also ask them to update the firmware at the same time :)
@@alpselectrical Thanks for the relpy. It needs to be working properly though, can't be expected to call them every time I wasn t to tweak the settings. the chart for PV prduction is constantly saying 0.87kwh at the mo too. Not the installer's fault but its really giving me the hump now, Paid good money for this a month ago and its not working properly and unable to get te best out of it. Will try calling them. thanks
Yeah for sure it needs to be working properly, and every time I call Fox I am assured that they are working hard to rectify it. Hopefully it won't take too much longer :)
Hi, sorry for the late reply, only just seen the comment. Yes that's correct, the firmware must be updated first. Just call the Fox Ess service centre - 024 7510 0078, and ask them for a firmware update. You will need to provide your inverter serial number. They should also be able to send you a PDF instruction on how to do this - good luck!
Hi I managed to set up force charge and discharge on typical hours, but I don't know how to cancel it? There is no option for it unfortunately when you do it in app.
Hi, are you not able to toggle it off? You need to hit the submit button after toggling off to save the new settings! If you are struggling call the Fox helpline and speak to technical. They are really helpful! 02475100078
Have tried many times and them bars are back on every time I back, unfortunately can't do anything, even when saved and toggle off they still on and system it's still charging and discharge on time as set.
I know that they are having issues with the app at the moment as it is still fairly new and the new firmware, but Fox can change your settings on the web dashboard rather than the app. So can your installer, if I was your installer and had your system on my app I could do it for you no issue. Try your installer or Fox they will sort it straight away!
Thank you very much for your help and support, I will try tomorrow from computer see if that's help, if not will contact foxess support team 😀 hope they will help sort out the issue, I have to change for autoconsumpion and 1min time schedule to stop it working.
Thank you very much for your help and support, I will try tomorrow from computer see if that's help, if not will contact foxess support team 😀 hope they will help sort out the issue, I have to change for autoconsumpion and 1min time schedule to stop it working.
Though not a customer of yours (we live in the south) I found your video very informative. The video from Fox ESS just shows how to install, rather than how to use the app. Well done and thanks.
Thats great to hear thank you very much for the kind comment! Don't forget to like and subscribe for more useful tips as I install Fox more than any other brand!
brilliant - thank you!
You are more than welcome and thank you so much for watching and for the comment :)
After searching for weeks I've finally found the information I needed from your video and from the comments and answers. Thank you so much 🙂
Thats amazing! So so glad I could help! Thanks for watching - don't forget to hit the subscribe button :)
Thankyou so much for this. I was totally confused and unsure how to navigate around the app to get the best out of my battery. This has explained and clarified the process
You are very welcome glad I could help! :)
Amazing advice, shame my installer didn't go over any of this with me. Thanks for the info. It is probably worth pointing out that if you have enabled the Mode Scheduler, you will get errors in the app, when trying to set anything outside the mode scheduler. If that's the case, go into the Mode Scheduler, turn the settings off and submit, then return back to the previous screen and configure what you need (I did the Min SOC etc), and once finished go back into Mode Scheduler and re-enable everything. Very happy I cam across your vid. Keep up the great work.
Hi, yes, it is a bit fiddly isn't it?! Glad you go sorted though. Fox are always great at helping too over the phone
Excellent video thank you, this guidance is just what I needed as I have just changed to Octopus Flux I will update my inverter firmware and look at doing this.
Glad it helped thanks for watching
@@tpmbe hi did you manage to get the Firmware updated?
thanks for the info very helpful
you are so welcome thanks for watching :)
Quick question would there be any negative impacts to the battery that might outweigh the amount we are gaining from the electricity provider? Has there been any calculation around this?
a Brilliant video thank you
Thank you very much :)
If you own a Fox ESS solar system you may want to watch this video as it explains how to start using the new 'force discharge' capability introduced with the new app version 2.0 and firmware updates. Let us know in the comments if you have Fox and managed to update your system and if you think 'force discharge' will benefit you?
Nice
Thanks
Is there a limit in the UK to the max you can draw on a single phase inverter? Like how EV manufacturers decided 32a per phase was the max so on single phase you can’t do more than 7.6kw?
Or.. can you find as big as an inverter you can with some buffer on your main fuse?
I’ve seen 16kw single phase inverters being sold in countries outside the UK. But I’m also seeing some new 10kw single phase inverters coming on the market.
I’m asking because you can buy a 75 kWh Tesla model 3 battery pack off eBay for about £3,000.
I’m currently on octopus intelligent go so between 23:30 and 05:30 I can charge the battery up for 7p /kWh and sell it for £0.15
So with a 10kw inverter that’s 50 kWh over 5 hours off peak.
Which gives a Tesla battery about 30% buffer which sounds good.
£3.50 to charge it up
£7.50 to sell it
£4 profit a day = £1460 a year profit, not including the savings of being able to run my home all day for 7p / kWh
I would buy two Tesla batteries and double the return, but my house is only single phase unfortunately and I’d need a 20kw single phase inverter which I don’t think exists, not to mention my supply is 100A and that would be way too close to the max 24kw supply I have
Great video. Thanks for your helpful information as I've been struggling how to get the most of my Octopus flux. One thing that bothers Mr and would like your help please. What happens if i don't set the discharge: since it's winter, is rather use my battery top up for my home instead of exporting to the grid. Thank you.
Thank you for the comment and watching! Yes it makes sense to hold back on the discharge during winter which is what I doo too.
@alpselectrical
Any idea how I go about setting it up do I use my battery rather than export to the grid. I tried setting it up but it congress on once the battery is fully charged from the grid. It starts to discharge. Not sure how to set it to avoid that because it appears to override the time i set it up for.
If you have a 5kw inverter and set the force discharge to 5000w and happened to have say 2kw excess solar power would the excess solar power be clipped?
Interesting question! I would assume that the batteries would prioritise charging over discharging and halt the discharge to accept the excess but this is something I am not 100% sure about so will certainly ask Fox the question. It is certainly true that a 5KW inverter can only ever work at 5KW maximum
How do you set it up to discharge using the time setting without it discharging shortly after force charge?
Great Video, really helpful. Only feedback would be that when you are showing your phone screen, we can't see where you are "clicking", to follow the steps easily. Might want to edit the video to highlight these.
Ok, will bare that in mind thanks for the feedback and for watching
Mine has gone funny today and didn’t show anything on the screen until evening and then shows only discharges until 04.00
I wish there was some basic manual to explain all these app controls. My clock is wrong and that stops charging at the time set.
This is good information about how to do this stuff .
Hey, thanks so much
How can i check the firmware on set please
I have a FOX hybrid inverter and a cube. What happens when minimum soc is reached in solar battery please? Does it keep the charge at 10% and get power from grid or run it down to 0%?
Hi, whatever you set the min SOC is where the battery will stop and not drop below. I set mine to 10% too. Once it gets to min SOC it will just wait for top up either from grid or solar whichever is sooner :) Hope that helps
@@alpselectrical My min SOC is set to 10% but it goes down to 6% overnight.
Hi such a good video,I havejust had a system installed, 6kw panels, 6kw hybrid inventory,plus 4 x 11kw Fox batteries, in this winter I intend to use my batteries to run my house completely on the batteries, which includes my 10kw Grant heat pump. I do charge my batteries in 02.00 to 05.00 low rate, but I was looking for the information on the app settings,mode scheduling etc. Thanks for all the information. Just what I needed. I have subscribed to you channel.
As a point I have been talking to Octopus, about going on Cozy tarriff, as it gives me 3 slots to charge my batteries, totalling 8 hrs. The 2am to 5 am. Doesn't fully recharge them. Not a problem at the moment, I was worried how low can they go. I have been down to 40%. Before the charge kicks in. Thank you for an interesting explanation.
Hi really useful tutorial. I can't seem to get the 'Mode Scheduler' to work on the app. It won't open. Any ideas?
Hi, you need to make sure your firmware is up to date - your installer can contact Fox, or you can do that yourself to request an update - the updates don't happen automatically unfortunately :)
Can these mode settings be accessed from the fox Web portal? I find the portal is more stable than the app
They can on my installer portal I have never looked at a customers web portal, only their app. I would assume that you can though, but the settings won't be available to you unless your system is on the latest firmware which you need to call Fox for to ask them to update them
@@alpselectrical can you please give me the number to call them?
If you go to the inverter details page on the web app, on the top left of the energy flow panel there should be a little icon (a box with a line coming out of the corner). Clicking this should take you to a page where you can edit it (I have mine set to user-defined, with manually added time periods)
Really helpful video, thanks. I’m now up and running force charging and discharging on octopus flux. One question, I can’t see a way to set the force charge rate. Is it better for my battery if I charge a bit slower (e.g. 4kW rather than my inverter’s 9kW) as there’s enough time to fully charge the battery before 5am at the slower rate?
Yeah some say it can be - I guess the only proof would be using two systems alongside each other for the life of the batteries and charging one at its full potential and the other at 50% for example and see if it has an effect on the life of the battery, albeit an impossible experiment. To be honest I do not worry about it at all I just use the batteries to their fullest potential and if and when they are needing changing there will be better batteries on the market and probably cheaper and they will have more than paid themselves back. But there are customers who reduce the charge rate!
Thanks for making this video, we are soon to get solar and a battery and opted for the fox ess as it was significantly cheaper. It only has five years warranty apparently and the installer said there's a subscription cost after the first year, have you found this?
No, it is 10 year warranty you just have to register it - we usually do this for our customers! Definitly no subscription cost, I have Fox myself not sure where they are getting that from?
@@alpselectricalmaybe they want them to buy a powerwall with markup?
I'm trying to set force charge, set correct work mode and to/from times, hit save and get error message "Max SOC The number range of 10~100". I understand the need for setting the max/target SOC for force charge, but can't find where to enter it!?
Hi the app is having real issues at the moment. Honestly the easiest way to get it sorted and set to how you want it, would be to call Fox and get them to set it over the phone - 02475100078 - you will need your inverter serial number. You can also ask them to update the firmware at the same time :)
@@alpselectrical Thanks for the relpy. It needs to be working properly though, can't be expected to call them every time I wasn t to tweak the settings. the chart for PV prduction is constantly saying 0.87kwh at the mo too. Not the installer's fault but its really giving me the hump now, Paid good money for this a month ago and its not working properly and unable to get te best out of it. Will try calling them. thanks
Yeah for sure it needs to be working properly, and every time I call Fox I am assured that they are working hard to rectify it. Hopefully it won't take too much longer :)
My mode scheduler is greyed out. Can't click it.. do I need to firm ware update?
Hi, sorry for the late reply, only just seen the comment. Yes that's correct, the firmware must be updated first. Just call the Fox Ess service centre - 024 7510 0078, and ask them for a firmware update. You will need to provide your inverter serial number. They should also be able to send you a PDF instruction on how to do this - good luck!
hi mine keeps saying please confirm 2 set time periods do not overlap-good video
Hi my best advice to you is to contact Fox technical who will be more than. happy to help! :) Thanks for watching and good luck with it
When the battery is force discharging, does the battery still continue to power your home?
Thanks
Yes it would always prioritise powering the home
Hi I managed to set up force charge and discharge on typical hours, but I don't know how to cancel it? There is no option for it unfortunately when you do it in app.
Hi, are you not able to toggle it off? You need to hit the submit button after toggling off to save the new settings! If you are struggling call the Fox helpline and speak to technical. They are really helpful! 02475100078
Have tried many times and them bars are back on every time I back, unfortunately can't do anything, even when saved and toggle off they still on and system it's still charging and discharge on time as set.
I know that they are having issues with the app at the moment as it is still fairly new and the new firmware, but Fox can change your settings on the web dashboard rather than the app. So can your installer, if I was your installer and had your system on my app I could do it for you no issue. Try your installer or Fox they will sort it straight away!
Thank you very much for your help and support, I will try tomorrow from computer see if that's help, if not will contact foxess support team 😀 hope they will help sort out the issue, I have to change for autoconsumpion and 1min time schedule to stop it working.
Thank you very much for your help and support, I will try tomorrow from computer see if that's help, if not will contact foxess support team 😀 hope they will help sort out the issue, I have to change for autoconsumpion and 1min time schedule to stop it working.