Chip, I believe the culprit is the Boron 2G/3G. I typically assume LTE when speaking about Borons, I sometimes forget about the 2G/3G model that has a higher peak current demand. I'm assuming (from Below) the change was invoked for Boron 2G/3G without a Li-Po, which indeed is a very specific use-case to cause widespread problems for most other Boron Applications.
I do understand the need/desire to have the Boron and Electron compatibility in the Device OS (900 mA default).
However, the Boron was previously able to re-charge a Li-Po at 850 mA before the recent firmware changes...... which I would assume it should have no problem providing 900 mA to the Boron 2G/3G without a Li-Po ( relating to oddwires1's post), with the correct PMIC settings, pre-1.3.1.
With the proposed changes, I feel like a Solar Boron will still need to call the detachInterrupt(LOW_BAT_UC); workaround, in order to maintain pmic.setInputVoltageLimit(5080) for 6V Solar Panels. The Dynamic Power Management of the PMIC should handle the rest for us. I've performed a Curve Trace for many different 6V solar panels (including Voltaic). All have a maximum power point well above 5.08V, but 5.08V is the max limit for the PMIC.
Back to your point, I'm also in full agreement that the changes in 1.3.1 and after have caused significant problems with many users, even Boron's on utility power. I have yet to understand or measure any benefit to the changes, quite the opposite actually.
When a user makes a change to the PMIC settings, it's for a reason.
I wish System Power Manager wouldn't be allowed to change those settings behind our backs (Li-Po Safety excluded, which isn't the case here).
My vote is to "un-do" the changes and let the specific use-case of a Boron 3G without a Li-Po select a Proper Power Supply, and make the PMIC Calls (or use a Li-Po like the Electron).... Verses having Everyone's PMIC calls overwritten in the background as a "fix" to help that 1%.
That "1%" also happen to also be utility powered. This is not the direction to take for a Low-Powered Device, IMHO.
[Edit]:
Here's another idea:
The Docs could simply recommend that Users who wish to operate a Boron 2G/3G without a Li-Po use a 12v power supply connected to Vin (Vusb), for their final deployment ? Or make the proper PMIC calls, their choice.