Wallbox is one of the really big players in the charging box market and we have previously given their Copper SB model a good rating. Now the company has just released a brand new model, the Pulsar Max, and we at M3 have tested it to see how it stacks up against the competition. The installation itself is made by M3’s own in-house electrician, who on a day-to-day basis works as installation coordinator and electrician at Done.
Rating 4 out of 5
Opinion
A stylish and solid charging box that does the job gallantly, and which also offers a unique new function for you with solar cells on the roof. The installation is smooth, which allows for low cost, while the box itself is not more expensive than other corresponding models. Really good, we say, and when wireless load balancing is in place, it gets even better!
Positive
- Eco Smart mode
- Stylish and solid
- Good app
Negative
- No wireless load balancing (yet)
- Slightly strange contact holder
This model has an integrated charging cable that you wrap around the charging box, and a bracket to insert the plug is included. This mount is not the smartest solution we’ve seen, several testers struggled to figure out how to release the connector and there is a risk that someone above in pure frustration will break the holder. However, the box itself is really robust.
We have installed many charging boxes in recent years and the Wallbox Plus Max is one of the simplest we have worked with. Which also ensures low installation costs. The construction is stable and tight and it is easy to mount the box against the wall and plug it in. An external RCD (type A) is required.
At the time of writing, the box does not support wireless load balancing, but according to Wallbox, an accessory for it will be released shortly. Until then, it is cable routing that applies if you want to be able to ensure that you do not overload your fuses without having to manually turn down the charging power when necessary.
After a smooth installation without any worries, we plug in our test car, a Nio EL5, and start charging. Wallbox app allows you to add your charging box and keep track of it. What you can do is schedule charging times, lock/unlock the box for use, limit power and check charging statistics. As with most other charging box apps. Wallbox app is really nice, clear and easy to use.
The charging works as it should, it would be annoying otherwise. It is actually about an advanced 3-phase outlet. When choosing a charging box for your car at home, other parameters are simply important.
Wallbox offers a really interesting feature in this charging box. In “Eco smart” mode, you who have solar cells installed can choose to only charge the car with energy from these, without taking from incoming external electricity. This allows you to charge the car entirely from solar energy, without having to keep track of hourly prices and consumption. Smart!
Facts Wallbox Pulsar Max
Tested: Maj 2023
Manufacturer: Wallbox
Taken: SEK 8,395 with standard installation (with Grön Teknik deduction)
Maximum current and charging power: 22kW at 32 A/3-phase (TN network)
Connection: Wifi, bluetooth
Rfid reader: No
Load balancer: Not included, does not currently support wireless load balancing
Protection class: IP55
Measure: 198 x 201 x 99 mm
Fixed cable on box: Yes, 5 or 7 meters
Miscellaneous: Eco Smart support
