Delta has announced the immediate availability of a smartphone app for its AC MAX electric vehicle charger, published on 28 March 2023. The company describes itself as a global leader in power and thermal management solutions, and says the app is designed to support both users and installers of the charger1.
The AC MAX is sold in two versions, basic and smart, with power output ranging from 11 to 22 kW. Delta lists a compact design, a Type 2 charging interface, user authentication and easy installation among its features, and says it is particularly suitable for private or commercial buildings, semi-private spaces such as parking garages or business parking lots, and locations where drivers spend time for work or leisure1.
The app connects to the AC MAX Basic by Bluetooth pairing and to the AC MAX Smart by WiFi. In both cases Delta says a unique user log-in password is mandatory. Drivers can start a charging session by connecting the vehicle, opening the app and pressing the start button, and can view charging time, power and energy transfer to the vehicle, plan scheduled charges and adjust the brightness of the charger's status LED1.
For installers, Delta says the app simplifies configuration and commissioning of newly installed chargers. The AC MAX provides Active Power Control functionality to meet compliance regulations in countries where network grid operators must be able to adjust or limit the power supplied to a vehicle, and the app allows settings to be adjusted to the rating requirements of the relevant grid code. Maintenance is supported by diagnostics file downloads and over-the-air updates, with the app handling firmware updates1.
Stefan Walter, Product Manager of Electric Vehicle Charging Systems at Delta Electronics EMEA, said:
"Home charging is not only about the EV charger itself, that is why Delta is launching the new Delta AC Max app. With the app, the customers can get better charging experience and also bring more convenience to our installers and service partner."
| Version | App connection | Power output |
|---|---|---|
| AC MAX Basic | Bluetooth pairing | 11 to 22 kW |
| AC MAX Smart | WiFi | 11 to 22 kW |
Why it matters for households
A home charger that can be monitored and configured from a phone changes what a household can see and control without calling anyone out. Charging time, power drawn and energy transferred to the car are the raw figures behind a home's running costs, and scheduled charging lets a session be placed in a cheaper or lower-carbon window rather than starting the moment the car is plugged in1.
The Active Power Control function is the part with wider consequences. Where a grid operator is entitled to limit the power a charger supplies, a unit that cannot respond to that requirement may not be accepted for connection, so the ability to set the charger to the local grid code is a condition of installation in those markets rather than an optional extra1. Firmware updates delivered over the air also mean the charger's behaviour can change after it is on the wall, which is relevant to anyone weighing how long a wallbox will stay current. Details of how charger apps, connectivity and firmware updates work in general are set out in the site's guide to EV charger apps, Wi-Fi, 4G and firmware, and specifications for this manufacturer's wallboxes are collected under DETA EV chargers.
What happens next
The app is available immediately from the Apple App Store and Google Play, and Delta says it is compatible with a vast array of smartphones1. No pricing, subscription terms or dates for further features have been reported.