[MHF30]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

Go look, it's there! Totally getting a dash cam now!

Not in Canada it isn't. I don't have that one, the one in the trunk, or the rear seat in my '13 328

[weiyu435i]

Originally Posted by DeeKay

Old thread I know - Did anyone find out what the USB socket is supposed to deliver? Mine doesn't work with my iPhone (switches on/off constantly) so I have the suspicion that it's not delivering enough power

Had that happen to me when I was using a non-oem lightning cable. After I switched to Apple OEM one it connects and charges fine.. I hate the durability of the oem ones but what can ya do

[bimmer456]

My iPhone charges pretty quick on the f30.

[DeeKay]

Originally Posted by weiyu435i

Had that happen to me when I was using a non-oem lightning cable. After I switched to Apple OEM one it connects and charges fine.. I hate the durability of the oem ones but what can ya do

I've tried 10 different cables - both OEM Apple cables, BMWs own lightning cable and several more. None work

[Digital_83]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I believe you guys are incorrect. I don't know the exact amperage, but it's on the high side. It charges my phone like it's plugged into a wall outlet...extremely fast. It will also change my iPad Air, which requires high amperage (example: my wife's Volvo will NOT charge the iPad).

I've been VERY impressed with the USB charging capability.

I double that - iPhone X charges 15 to 70% in less than an hour [F36 / 2018]

[COKen]

Originally Posted by DeeKay

I've tried 10 different cables - both OEM Apple cables, BMWs own lightning cable and several more. None work

Get something like in the link below and test the port and the cable.

https://smile.amazon.com/Soondar-Cha...sb+port+tester

[DeeKay]

Originally Posted by COKen

Get something like in the link below and test the port and the cable.

https://smile.amazon.com/Soondar-Cha...sb+port+tester

I have a USB power meter on the way but problem is I can't find what voltage it should read

[uncleruckus]

I have 2013 328i (with CIC), so not sure how well that matches up with your car.... I used the Amperage app on my phone and got up to 0.5A on that USB port, which is the "standard" USB 2.0 charging output.

[Digital_83]

Originally Posted by DeeKay

I've tried 10 different cables - both OEM Apple cables, BMWs own lightning cable and several more. None work

Wait, are you referring to the one in armrest ? Isn't it the one to be used for the media streaming and not charging ?

[DeeKay]

Originally Posted by Digital_83

Wait, are you referring to the one in armrest ? Isn't it the one to be used for the media streaming and not charging ?

Yes charge or not, I need to be able to connect my iPhone to hook up my music yeah? Even with my iPhone pre-charged at 100% the usb in the armrest keeps turning power on/off every 0.5 second - drives me nuts because the USB is the only way to access playlists and album art on the version of NBT Pro Nav I have

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by uncleruckus

I have 2013 328i (with CIC), so not sure how well that matches up with your car.... I used the Amperage app on my phone and got up to 0.5A on that USB port, which is the "standard" USB 2.0 charging output.

The NBT units put out a low voltage in the armrest usb connection, 0.5a, essentially equivalent to the 2012 iPhone AC Adapters. Forget about an iPad charging with that adapter or via the car’s USB circuits.

Remember when the NBT was released, screens were 3.5” and batteries were not that large. iPads were fairly new as well.

The newer NBT-EVO is higher (1.0a iirc) and can be increased up to 2.1a in the vehicle coding. The NBT has no such abilities in the coding (or is in a totally different place if it is available).

Originally Posted by Digital_83

I double that - iPhone X charges 15 to 70% in less than an hour [F36 / 2018]

You have a 2018 NBT EVO

[uncleruckus]

IIRC, even if the iPad displays "not charging", if you turn the screen of, it will charge (just very very slowly).

I think this just means that if you are actively using the iPad, the standard USB output of 0.5A can't keep up and charge it up. However, if you turn the screen off (i.e. not actively using), it will end up charging the iPad (albeit very slow).

[DeeKay]

Originally Posted by DeeKay

Yes charge or not, I need to be able to connect my iPhone to hook up my music yeah? Even with my iPhone pre-charged at 100% the usb in the armrest keeps turning power on/off every 0.5 second - drives me nuts because the USB is the only way to access playlists and album art on the version of NBT Pro Nav I have

Okay so power might not be my problem after all?

The USB port works fine for flash drives btw

[Wires]

USB 2.0 is only 500mA, USB 3.0 is 900mA

I doubt the head unit is using USB 3.0 in the car though. If you have an issue where it's drawing excessive currently, you will trip the over-current protection, and seeing it toggle on/off would explain that.

[B58 parts]

Originally Posted by MomoM3

wow ... what a development this is.

The other day I ran a USB cable from the center console up through to the AC vent where I have my phone mounted. Did all that, put it all back together .. the damn thing wouldn't charge. It would start for maybe 5s then cycle in and out. I assumed it was a bad cable. Did a quick test with another cable yesterday and same thing .. WTF. I guess this phone requires more current to charge (I'm betting that center port is just 500ma at best).

I had _no idea_ that socket was under there. Wow. I tried putting a lighter charger in there, it works, but was kinda obnoxious for the passenger to see that sticking out.

So, flush fit charger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2
& right angle cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012S11KV6

That should do the trick for now, I'll fish that right over and up through the center stack to the vent. I'm sure I could tear that panel off and splice into that directly, I may do that for a better setup and dashcam etc down the road.

[Brett530]

I just measured on my 2012 F30 with a USB meter. Center console USB put out 4.95v at 0.49A. It stayed that way with the engine on or off.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

wow ... what a development this is.

The other day I ran a USB cable from the center console up through to the AC vent where I have my phone mounted. Did all that, put it all back together .. the damn thing wouldn't charge. It would start for maybe 5s then cycle in and out. I assumed it was a bad cable. Did a quick test with another cable yesterday and same thing .. WTF. I guess this phone requires more current to charge (I'm betting that center port is just 500ma at best).

I had _no idea_ that socket was under there. Wow. I tried putting a lighter charger in there, it works, but was kinda obnoxious for the passenger to see that sticking out.

So, flush fit charger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2
& right angle cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012S11KV6

That should do the trick for now, I'll fish that right over and up through the center stack to the vent. I'm sure I could tear that panel off and splice into that directly, I may do that for a better setup and dashcam etc down the road.

Yes, many forget (or never knew) that is below glovebox.

Several years ago Monoprice had a flush adapter with an attached cord>lightning connector as well as an extra USB socket that had enough amperage for an iPad and an iPhone simultaneously. Unfortunately, they were discontinued about a year ago.

I have used mine for 4 years with no issues.

I would also tell you that if you remove the entire plastic cover, one could take the lighter plug out, secure the charger in place, snake the cord wherever in the dash and never expose it in the passenger leg section.

I would also note that if you have an Apple iPhone 8 or X (even a new Galaxy), you should purchase an adapter for car (and home) with USB Power Delivery along with an Apple USB-C to Lightning cable for even FASTER blazing charging.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ry+charger+car

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Brett530

I just measured on my 2012 F30 with a USB meter. Center console USB put out 4.95v at 0.49A. It stayed that way with the engine on or off.

Which explains the issues as I previously noted.

The iPhone Adapter delivers 1.0 Amps (1000ma) and the iPad Charger delivers 2.1 Amps.

Obviously you can see why the BMWs 0.5a (500ma) USB ports are unable to deal with an iPhone except when it is in very low power consumption modes.

Read more here:

https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/3/1...k-cable-how-to

[TXDaddy]

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

wow ... what a development this is.

The other day I ran a USB cable from the center console up through to the AC vent where I have my phone mounted. Did all that, put it all back together .. the damn thing wouldn't charge. It would start for maybe 5s then cycle in and out. I assumed it was a bad cable. Did a quick test with another cable yesterday and same thing .. WTF. I guess this phone requires more current to charge (I'm betting that center port is just 500ma at best).

I had _no idea_ that socket was under there. Wow. I tried putting a lighter charger in there, it works, but was kinda obnoxious for the passenger to see that sticking out.

So, flush fit charger: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M6QODH2
& right angle cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012S11KV6

That should do the trick for now, I'll fish that right over and up through the center stack to the vent. I'm sure I could tear that panel off and splice into that directly, I may do that for a better setup and dashcam etc down the road.

I found this yesterday by accident on my new-to-me 2014. I was replacing the cabin filter, and got a little shock when I accidentally put my socket in the wrong hole first (and yes, that's what she said). Seems like it should have a plug in it like the center stack does, but it is ideal for a phone charger while driving solo...

[B58 parts]

It should have a plastic plug in it yes, and that should have a little paper "FYI this thing is here" flap on it when you take delivery so you know it's there. (I bought used so I wouldn't have seen that anyway .. but I imagine there are a lot of new BMW owners that have no idea this feature exists. I guess the manual covers it .. but nobody reads that

[c0nrad]

in the future you can just use the battery level app on iOS to tell you how much amperage a plug is providing. 0.5amps is actually the same as the tiny brick charger apple gives you with the phone, which is surprisingly bad.

would highly recommend getting a proper USB wall plug at 2amps for quick charging outside of your car

[Glim1000]

Using a USB power meter the center armrest USB port on a 2013 X5 is 1-2 watts. Maximum charge rate for an iPhone is 7.5 watts.

My wife has a larger plus size iPhone and it slowly drains when plugged into the USB port and/or stops charging since the current is so low.

Going to try a bag of connectors and cables from Startech:

1 STCUSB2HABMY6

Plugged into the USB port and the red power lead into an Anker PowerDrive 2 24watt charger.

Convert the mini end to micro:
1 STCUUSBMUSBMF

Convert micro to lightning:
1 STCUSBUBLTADPB

If it works will heat shrink it and then just change the end for the next phone standard and re-heat shrink it.