Solar iBoost+ Buddy — Wireless Home Energy Monitor and Remote Control
The Solar iBoost+ Buddy is the wireless home energy monitor and remote control companion for the Solar iBoost+ immersion controller by Marlec. Placed anywhere in the home — typically the kitchen — it wirelessly mirrors the Solar iBoost+ display in real time, shows live diversion wattage, logs savings over five time periods (today through to total), and lets you remotely activate the Boost function without visiting the airing cupboard. The intuitive traffic light eco-gauge glows green when over 300W of solar is being exported — telling you to switch appliances on and use the free energy — amber when the household is neutral, and red when importing from the grid. Programme your tariff rate and see live £-per-hour savings in real time. Mains-powered with included adaptor. 2-year warranty.
Traffic Light
Eco-Gauge
5 Savings
Periods
Remote
Boost Control
Live £/hr
Savings
Wireless
No Installation
2 yr
Warranty
Key Features
Real-Time Mirror of the Solar iBoost+ Display
The Buddy replicates the Solar iBoost+ controller display wirelessly — showing exactly what the controller shows: Heating by Solar with live wattage, Water Heating OFF, Water Tank HOT, and the Manual Boost countdown. No more trips to the airing cupboard to check whether the tank is heating.
Real-time display mirrorLive diversion wattage
Traffic Light Eco-Gauge — Know When Free Energy is Available
The traffic light system at the base of the Buddy gives an instant at-a-glance read of household energy status: Green glow — over 300W being exported (switch appliances on to use free energy). Amber glow — household consumption is approximately energy-neutral. Red glow — importing over 300W from the grid (reduce consumption). The eco-gauge tracks changing export and import levels as generation and consumption vary.
Remote Boost Control — No Need to Find the Controller
The Buddy can remotely activate the Manual Boost function of the Solar iBoost+. Each press adds 15 minutes of grid-power heating, up to 2 hours maximum — identical to pressing the button on the main controller. Cancel Boost at any time directly from the Buddy.
Remote boost 15-min stepsUp to 2 hoursCancel any time
Sender Battery Status and Wireless Signal Strength
The Buddy permanently displays the sender unit's battery level and wireless signal strength between the sender and the controller. Low battery warnings are visible without checking the sender unit directly.
Sender battery statusSignal strength indicator
Savings History — Today, Yesterday, 7 Days, 28 Days, Total
View comprehensive savings records: Saved Today, Saved Yesterday, Saved Last 7 Days, Saved Last 28 Days, Total Saved. Programme the Buddy with your electricity tariff (pence per kWh) and it calculates live £-per-hour savings in real time.
5 savings periodsLive £ per hour
Mains-Powered — No Batteries in the Buddy Unit
The Buddy unit is mains-powered via an included mains adaptor — no batteries required in the display unit itself. Designed to sit on a kitchen worktop, shelf or desk — anywhere convenient in the home.
Mains poweredIncluded mains adaptorKeep in kitchen
Technical Specifications
Connectivity
Compatible With
Solar iBoost+ ONLY (not compatible with original Solar iBoost or AU/NZ versions)
Pairing
Simple pairing procedure — can be done at installation or later
Wireless
Paired wirelessly to Solar iBoost+
Display and Indicators
Eco-Gauge
Traffic light: Green (>300W export) / Amber (neutral) / Red (>300W import)
Real-Time Display
Mirrors Solar iBoost+ screen (diversion wattage, status, boost countdown)
Savings Display
Today / Yesterday / 7 days / 28 days / Total
Live Savings Rate
£ per hour (requires tariff to be programmed)
Control Functions
Remote Boost
15-minute increments up to 2 hours maximum
Sender Monitoring
Battery status and wireless signal strength displayed permanently
ℹ Installation: The Solar iBoost+ must be installed by a qualified electrician. Connect via a 16A MCB or 13A fused outlet. Cable from Solar iBoost+ output to immersion heater must not exceed 3m and must not be interrupted by any switches, timers or electronic controls. Minimum 100mm clearance all round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Buddy work with the original Solar iBoost (not the + version)?
No — the iBoost+ Buddy is only compatible with the Solar iBoost+. It is not compatible with the original Solar iBoost (pre-Plus version) or Solar iBoost+ units sold in Australia and New Zealand.
Does the Buddy need to be installed at the same time as the Solar iBoost+?
No — the Buddy can be paired with a Solar iBoost+ at installation or at any time afterwards. The pairing procedure is simple and documented in the instruction leaflet.
How do I see savings in pounds rather than kWh?
Programme your current electricity tariff rate (pence per kWh) into the Buddy using the A and B buttons. Once programmed, the Buddy calculates and displays live £-per-hour savings alongside the kWh figures.
Does the Buddy control the Solar iBoost+ as well as display it?
The Buddy provides remote Boost control — activating and cancelling the manual Boost function from anywhere in the home. It does not allow programming of the timed schedule or threshold settings — those are set on the main Solar iBoost+ controller.
Where is the best place to put the Buddy?
Anywhere in the home that is convenient — kitchen counter, living room shelf, hallway. The Buddy is mains-powered (plugs in) and receives the Solar iBoost+ signal wirelessly. Keeping it in the kitchen is popular as it shows when free energy is available while cooking.
Related Products
Solar iBoost+ Immersion Controller
Required — Buddy is an add-on to Solar iBoost+
Sunamp Thermino ePlus Heat Battery
Heat battery system compatible with solar diversion
myenergi eddi Solar Diverter
Alternative PV diverter with full app integration
BTU & WATT Calculator
Room Dimensions
Room Type
Living Room
Bedroom
Kitchen
Bathroom
Conservatory
Hallway
Glazing Type
Single Glazed
Double Glazed
Triple Glazed
External Walls
0 Wall
1 Wall
2 Walls
3 Walls
4 Walls
Insulation Level
Poor
Average
Good (New Build)
Required Heating
0
Watts
0
BTUs
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