How to recharge your bmw key fob

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I was rather hoping that all this wireless charging stuff would be standardised but it turns out it's not.

I have a bunch of Samsung kit that used the Qi standard, (Galaxy S6, Wireless charge pad etc.) and thought it might work on the car keys as described above.

But alas, no. It turns out the Samsung Gear watches don't use the Qi wireless charging standard, hence it seems reasonable that my Samsung Qi-based charge pad won't do anything for the BMW keys.

But at least the alternative is cheap (in the USA anyway...)

I didn't know there were different standards. Guess I really lucked out on this. I have a charging pad my note 8 phone too but never put a key on it.

Lucked out that the watch charger worked it seems.

[deepblonde]

Originally Posted by wpoll

I was rather hoping that all this wireless charging stuff would be standardised but it turns out it's not.

I have a bunch of Samsung kit that used the Qi standard, (Galaxy S6, Wireless charge pad etc.) and thought it might work on the car keys as described above.

But alas, no. It turns out the Samsung Gear watches don't use the Qi wireless charging standard, hence it seems reasonable that my Samsung Qi-based charge pad won't do anything for the BMW keys.

But at least the alternative is cheap (in the USA anyway...)

This should work?
Cheap enough?:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless...9t-ZpqVEtOUOtw

[X5only]

Hold on a sec, aren't the keys automatically recharged in the ignition lock while driving? So to recharge a dead battery just use the key to drive?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by X5only

Hold on a sec, aren't the keys automatically recharged in the ignition lock while driving?

Yes they are...but if owners dump the spare in a drawer and NEVER rotate it into usage...then after 1.5 years...the key will be discharged. It can take up to 30 hours to fully charge if using it in the ignition.

The charger being discussed in this thread is informing owners of a way to revive remote keys that have fallen into a state of deep discharge (or just a way to keep a rarely used key charged up).

Personally, I rotate my new style/diamond shaped remote keys with every DLS (day light saving) time hour change (spring forward/fall back).

{KL R = ignition position 1}

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by deepblonde

This should work?
Cheap enough?:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless...9t-ZpqVEtOUOtw

It might. I cant promise if other chargers will work with it or not. I just know the one I have does. I imagine the odds are good though.

[wpoll]

Good spotting, deepblonde...

I'd grab one of these and be a guinea pig but I only have one diamond key and it works fine, so I'm not sure it would be a valid test...

[jsoto]

I had my keyfobs rebuilt when they started acting up. I can't recall the exact details but I believe GM5 states the batteries in them have a low discharge rate though?

[Crowz]

I have had one sit 5 years and still work so they can sit for awhile. I don't know what the people are doing with them that are having me recharge theirs but they were dead. Like I mentioned even in the video I have never had one run down before.

[donmayor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aje2eoDg5v8

re-initialization process:

[Freestyler]

Originally Posted by Crowz

I have had one sit 5 years and still work so they can sit for awhile.

Indeed they can.
I just saw this post today and immediately scrambled to dig out my spare key from that aforementioned drawer where it has been hiding since i bought the car 6 years ago! And what do you know.. It still works perfectly.

I am of course swapping the keys now to give it a well deserved re-charge.