Getting Started with Home EV Charging
When it comes to home EV charging, it can get overwhelming pretty quickly with all the different options to choose from. This is especially true when considering the technical specifications and features of each charging station.
Autel has been making automotive diagnostic products since 2004, and now they’re starting to get into the EV charging game. They recently sent me their new 40 amp MaxiCharger Home Station to unbox, review, and test out.
Autel is aiming to simplify home EV charging with the MaxiCharger. I was eager to check out their solution and see how it performs for daily home charging needs.
Unboxing the Autel MaxiCharger
Autel sent me their 40 amp MaxiCharger home station to unbox and review. The MaxiCharger arrived in a sleek box with the device image prominently displayed. Inside, the unit itself was tightly packed with protective foam inserts to prevent shifting during shipping.
Upon unboxing, the MaxiCharger made a great first impression with its premium, high-quality feel and aesthetics. The exterior finish is made from weatherproof polycarbonate plastic with a sleek, modern design that would fit nicely in any home.
The charging cable itself feels sturdy and heavy-duty, with a thick, rubberized texture that makes it easy to grip. Autel provides a 25 foot cable length, which allows flexibility in parking and charging multiple EVs.
The connector holster, designed to neatly wrap up the charging cable, features a durable metal interior bracket and a bright green ring for visibility. Its articulating design enables easy plugging in from any angle.
Overall, the precise packaging, premium materials, and thoughtful design details of the MaxiCharger reflect Autel’s long history engineering high-quality automotive products. My initial impressions are very positive.
Installation Guide Overview
The MaxiCharger includes a very thorough installation guide with clear diagrams showing how to mount and wire the device. This guide goes beyond just installation instructions – it also shows how to customize the amperage settings to align with your home’s electrical capacity.
The guide provides simple step-by-step instructions for mounting the charger on a wall using the included hardware. Wiring instructions are equally detailed, with diagrams that illustrate connecting the ground wire, neutral wire, and hot wires.
One unique and useful feature of the MaxiCharger is the ability to set a customized max amperage limit. By removing the front cover and access panel, you can rotate a dial to set the maximum amp output from 6 amps up to the full 40 amp capacity of the device. This is an important safeguard to prevent overloading your home’s electrical system. The installation guide provides clear instructions and diagrams showing how to set this limit according to your preferences or electrical constraints.
Overall, the installation guide is very thorough. With easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams, even someone without much electrical expertise could successfully install the MaxiCharger. And the ability to customize amperage provides an extra level of control and safety.
Connecting to the App
Connecting the MaxiCharger to the app is a straightforward process. After downloading the Autel Charge app and signing up for an account, simply scan the QR code located on the back of the user manual. This will link the app to your specific charging station.
To finish the setup process, click on the pop-up message in the app and initiate Bluetooth pairing. The app will walk you through this seamlessly. Once Bluetooth is connected, the app prompts you to connect to WiFi next by selecting your network and entering your password.
The MaxiCharger utilizes both Bluetooth and WiFi to enable smart features through the app. Bluetooth provides quick connectivity while WiFi allows more advanced controls like scheduling, usage tracking, and firmware updates. With both connections established, you’ll have full functionality of the charger through the intuitive app interface.
The pairing process only takes a few minutes thanks to the well-designed app and inclusion of the convenient QR code. This hassle-free onboarding provides a smooth transition into controlling and monitoring your EV charging via the app.
App Interface and Features
The Autel Charge app provides an intuitive and powerful interface for managing your charging experience. Here are some of the key features:
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Easy setup and connectivity. The app walks you through connecting via Bluetooth and WiFi. QR codes in the manual make linking devices simple.
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Complete charge controls. Initiate, schedule, or auto-start charging all from the app. Set max charge current from 6-40 amps. Manage multiple charge cards/vehicles.
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Usage tracking. See $ spent, kWh added, and duration. Review charge history and stats. Know your charging costs.
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Scheduling. Set different weekday and weekend charge times. Never miss a full charge again.
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Real-time metrics. Monitor power, current, and voltage live during charging. View detailed graphs.
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Instant tech support. Live chat, FAQs, and troubleshooting guidance in the app. Support docs in multiple languages.
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OTA updates. Get the latest firmware installed directly on your charger over WiFi.
The well-designed app makes it simple to set up your MaxiCharger and access robust controls and usage insights. Intuitive for everyday use but powerful for detailed analysis.
Advanced Capabilities
The Autel MaxiCharger comes with several advanced capabilities that make it stand out compared to other home EV chargers.
One key feature is over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. The charger can connect to Autel’s servers to download and install the latest firmware updates. This ensures the charger always has the newest features and fixes. During testing, a firmware update was automatically downloaded and installed in around 7 minutes – a very quick process.
The MaxiCharger is also compatible with Open ADR 2.0b. This refers to Open Automated Demand Response, which is an open communication model between the utility company and the charger. It allows the utility to send signals to briefly reduce the charger’s power draw during periods of peak demand on the grid. This helps stabilize the overall grid.
Another advanced feature is Adaptive Load Management (ALM). This allows the charger to monitor the overall electrical load at the property. It can then adjust and distribute the load evenly, or allow full power draw to the charger when excess capacity is available. This prevents tripping breakers.
Having OTA updates, Open ADR, and ALM shows the MaxiCharger is designed for smart grid integration and energy optimization. These capabilities make it stand out compared to more basic chargers.
Testing Real-World Performance
I plugged the Autel MaxiCharger into a NEMA 14-50 receptacle and connected it to my Tesla Model Y to test real-world charging performance. Right away, I could see the charge status icon illuminate on the charger indicating it was providing power to the vehicle.
Inside the car, the charging screen showed the MaxiCharger was providing the full 40 amps of power, translating to around 37 miles of range added per hour based on my vehicle’s efficiency. This level of charging speed is on par with other 40 amp Level 2 chargers I’ve used.
The 25 foot cable length also impressed me during testing. I was able to easily route the cable from the outlet on the side of my house to the charge port on my Tesla parked in the driveway. The cable was flexible enough to neatly wrap back up on the holster when charging was complete. Many charger cables can be stiff and hard to manage, so the flexibility here is a major plus.
Overall, real-world testing showed the Autel MaxiCharger delivers efficient Level 2 charging performance thanks to the 40 amp power output. The lengthy 25 foot cable is convenient for reaching charge ports and flexible enough for daily use.
Smart Home Integration
One small improvement that could make the Autel MaxiCharger even more convenient is integration with smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This would allow users to control the MaxiCharger with voice commands, without needing to open the app.
For example, you could say “Alexa, start charging my car” or “Hey Google, stop the charge on the MaxiCharger.” Adding support for Alexa and Google Assistant would really round out the MaxiCharger as a seamless smart home device. The app interface and controls already work so smoothly, being able to leverage your Echo or Google Home to control charging would provide an extra layer of convenience and accessibility.
Hopefully this is something Autel will consider adding in a future software update. Voice assistant integration would really take the MaxiCharger to the next level as an intelligent, connected charging station for your home. Controlling charging via Alexa or Google Assistant commands would allow the station to blend right in with the rest of your smart home ecosystem.
Pricing and Availability
The Autel MaxiCharger Home Station comes at a very competitive price point compared to other similar smart EV chargers on the market. At just $559, it packs in a ton of features and advanced capabilities that are typically only found in more expensive models.
For example, the popular ChargePoint Home Flex starts at $699 without a cable or plug. And the Enel X JuiceBox 40 smart charger retails for $689. So the MaxiCharger’s pricing is hundreds less than comparable Level 2 EVSEs.
You can purchase the MaxiCharger directly from Autel’s website or via Amazon. Both offer free shipping on the unit. The MaxiCharger also comes with an industry-leading 3 year warranty.
So when you consider the premium design, flexible power configurations up to 40 amps, smart features, and robust app, the MaxiCharger delivers tremendous value and bang-for-your-buck versus alternatives. Given its competitive pricing and wide availability online, the MaxiCharger is an affordable yet fully-featured option for homeowners looking to install a smart EV charger.
Conclusion
This Autel energy device is a great smart home EV charger for those looking for a sturdy, weatherproof, and versatile unit. The MaxiCharger has a premium build quality with a sleek, modern design that should fit well aesthetically in most homes. It’s flexible in that you can choose wired or plug-in installation, and select the connector and amperage configuration you need.
The mobile app is well-designed and gives you remote monitoring and controls via wi-fi or bluetooth. You can collect detailed power statistics for analysis and cost tracking. Advanced capabilities like load management, scheduling, and access control provide convenience and energy optimization. Over-the-air firmware updates keep it current.
In testing, charging worked seamlessly out of the box, and ramped up quickly to deliver the expected power. The 25ft cable allows flexibility in positioning. Areas for improvement could be integrating smart home assistant compatibility, and reducing the relatively loud cooling fan noise.
At $559 MSRP including the cable wrap holster, the MaxiCharger hits a nice balance between premium features and affordable price point compared to competitors. Overall it’s a great option if you want a sturdy, full-featured EV charging station for home use that includes app controls and monitoring. With a 3 year warranty and responsive customer support, Autel stands behind their product.