G01/G05 USB-C Chargers fit the E53!

[andrewwynn]

I never unplug my phone adapters and actually really glad the diff lighters are always powered. Very often my phone needs a charge when I'm parked.

I think I would rather have a switch to power off when car isn't driven for week or more at a time.

[Bdc101]

Originally Posted by wpoll

It's likley to be enough to flatten your battery after a week or so... hence wiring them to a switched source, then it doesn't matter.

I don't think that would be the cases, wpoll... Typically those chargers will only draw about 10-20 milliamps (at 12v) when not plugged in, and only if they have an LED light that stays on all the time. If they don't have a light, then it will draw basically no current at all. The leakage current is technically not zero when it's not charging, but it's negligible (1mA range).



I think our E53 battery is something like 92 amp-hours, so if it did pull 20 mA then it would take a lot more than a week to discharge a healthy battery to the point where it couldn't start the car... it would probably be 6-12 weeks before the battery would even be weakened by these alone. The car probably represents a much greater standby drain. Just my $0.02.

[kspark]

Great idea!

Do you have any photos of it installed?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

I don't think that would be the cases, wpoll... Typically those chargers will only draw about 10-20 milliamps (at 12v) when not plugged in, and only if they have an LED light that stays on all the time. If they don't have a light, then it will draw basically no current at all. The leakage current is technically not zero when it's not charging, but it's negligible (1mA range).



I think our E53 battery is something like 92 amp-hours, so if it did pull 20 mA then it would take a lot more than a week to discharge a healthy battery to the point where it couldn't start the car... it would probably be 6-12 weeks before the battery would even be weakened by these alone. The car probably represents a much greater standby drain. Just my $0.02.

I made the same conclusions (assumptions) as you - BUT, I have a work colleague that lost his battery via a plug-in (cig. lighter socket) USB adapter. Took well less than a week to total a good battery (down to ~4v)

I have yet to test the current draw but I suspect that some of these adapters/converters are low draw and some are VERY high!

It would pay to actually measure the draw when fitting these things...

[Bdc101]

That's probably a very good recommendation.



Also, buying anything off Amazon is probably a bad idea. Amazon is basically a fully-complicit partner of the chinese knock-off industry at this point.

[stiubhartach]

Excellent idea and excellent write up. Thanks!

[bnfaustin]

Originally Posted by iansanderson

On a whim, I ordered a couple USB-C chargers from the G01/G05 I found on eBay for about $30 (just checked, more available) part number 84108711940. 940's just charge, there is no provision for a data cable, and they charge up to 3A. 84108711938 has two USB-C ports per module, if you are so inclined. If you are curious, USB-C ports can be found on the backs of the front seats on G01/G05's with SA4FL.

Well, they are a perfect fit under our rear climate vents! Wired up to ACC power from the glove box; backlighting and ground is already there at the cigarette lighter, and hello 2019!




They take the standard flat 4-pin connector, part number 61138380696, slightly modified. I had to file the edge a smidge so they would fit. You can also find the 4-pin connectors on our rear window switches, and on E39/E38, etc. I clipped some pigtails at a local Pull-A Part for $1.50. Below are the pinouts.

That is sweet! Basically replace the mostly broken down cup holders with functional USB and back seat heating controls :-) !


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[hansnielsen]

Very cool. So pin 1 is power, pin 2 is ground and pin 3 is illumination?

[Clockwork]

FYI: this is how you access that panel to install the charging ports...https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...air-vents.html

[ToadFMB]

I'd like to do this modification, but I am not savvy in electrical wiring. I have the two usb-c charges and harnesses in my possession. I also know how to remove the necessary center console pieces to install the items. I just don't know how to wire it all up. If someone could/would explain how to execute the installation, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.