slight modification to heater vent

[dazzasgotav8]

so ive been looking for a spot to add a voltmeter and a usb charging port this is what i ended up doing

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by dazzasgotav8

so ive been looking for a spot to add a voltmeter and a usb charging port this is what i ended up doing

I needed the same as you, but went in a different direction. Not wanting to compromise the airflow from the dash vents, I chose to get a remote-mounted 12v splitter that plugs into the cig lighter and has the voltmeter on the plug (I turn it off when exiting the X5).


I used Velcro to attach the body of the splitter on the right-side of the console, and ran the cord into the unused ashtray. It's out of the way, and gives several types of 12v (cig lighter plug style) and 5v USB (2.4 amp and 3.0 amp) spots to use. https://xoutpost.com/1206492-post18.html bigger photo
tablet mount stalk now removed; CD-slot tablet mount not shown

I use a 8" tablet to display OBD2 data (coolant temp, MAF sensor and fuel trim readings, mostly) using Torque Pro (usually, but also have OBDLink and BimmerTool Pro android apps on that tablet), and initially mounted the tablet on a spindly stalk tacked onto the console (near the cupholder in the picture in the link above). It wobbled and required me to look too far away from the windshield when driving, so I removed it, and was going to use a clip-on vent mount, but that would've completely blocked the dash vent, for sure, so I got a CD-slot tablet mount instead.


I never use actual CD's anymore, preferring to use a USB flashdrive for stored music, so the tablet stays there, blocking only the radio screen, instead of the air vent. If I ever
get an android radio, then I'll not need to use the tablet, and can get my running data dirctly onscreen via the radio screen, Resler module, and IBUS app (that I never have bought, since there's always something else more critical to buy, it seems).

[dazzasgotav8]

wow you got alot going on in there see im not one for clutter in my car hence why i wanted to have this all fitted in somewhere , but i guess its each to there own and what works for you.

[Salty B.]

Originally Posted by dazzasgotav8

so ive been looking for a spot to add a voltmeter and a usb charging port this is what i ended up doing

Nice.

What head unit is that?

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by dazzasgotav8

wow you got alot going on in there see im not one for clutter in my car hence why i wanted to have this all fitted in somewhere , but i guess its each to there own and what works for you.

"Function over form", "whatever works", and "I'm still WorkingOnIt" are my usual replies to others questioning my raison d’être différent, when I customize my vehicles to suit my needs; after all, it's my final project car, nobody except me and the wife rides in it, and I'm a certified redneck engineer.

I would like to have an in-dash android radio to take the place of the 8" tablet, but monitoring engine data by any means takes precedence over expensive upgrades. I still haven't touched up the exterior paint, deep-cleaned the carpet, nor recovered the worn seats, but I'm workingonit.

I don't mod my wife's car or truck, and try to keep all of our vehicles clean and running (on a limited budget, being both retired),and I promise you that I'll try not to dress up/mess up the X in the future, and limit my excesses. Or maybe not.

P.S., I do like your add-ons, but I prefer unrestricted A/C airflow on hot Texas summer days, so I didn't block any vents. Just sayin'.

[dazzasgotav8]

thanks salty b its only a cheap Eonon Chinese one i am currently looking into replacing it as the screen flickers.

The vent still functions as a vent if needed cant say i use my AC a lot over here in the uk complete opposite really, i guess when it comes to modifying your vehicle its all about making it suit your individuals needs.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by dazzasgotav8

thanks salty b its only a cheap Eonon Chinese one i am currently looking into replacing it as the screen flickers.

The vent still functions as a vent if needed cant say i use my AC a lot over here in the uk complete opposite really, i guess when it comes to modifying your vehicle its all about making it suit your individuals needs.

You could use the Eonon radio to view the voltage with a Riesler interface and the Ibus app. I installed USB plugs in the inner console sides of the footwells on both driver and passenger. You wouldn't know they were there until one is plugged in.

The next thing I want to do is replace the rear blanks with USB C connectors.

[dazzasgotav8]

ive not seen them sockets before i like them are they factory BMW.

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

You could use the Eonon radio to view the voltage with a Riesler interface and the Ibus app. I installed USB plugs in the inner console sides of the footwells on both driver and passenger. You wouldn't know they were there until one is plugged in.
....

That's what I'd do in a heartbeat, if I didn't already have working substitute(s) for the IBUS app and the onboard data that it can display, though all my apps, OBD2 cables/dongles/adapters, plus the tablet, and more "clutter"-ing peripheral hardware, are eventually going away (soon, I wish).

In my situation, I was always planning to get the Reisler module and IBUS app and connect them to my android tablet, until I can justify (to myself) the expense of buying an android radio to replace the new, "installed-by-the previous owner" just for me, non-android radio.

I've located an easy to access IBUS wire (plus power and ground) in my console (eject box wiring) or under it (connector X4545), so I can easily use the app on my tablet until I get the in-dash radio solution. But everytime I'm about to order from https://shop.ibus-app.de/en/, I seem to find another thing I need, and haven't got the module or app/license yet (I've had 24ga wire cable and low-voltage splice connectors on hand, for six months now).

Just do it!

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by dazzasgotav8

ive not seen them sockets before i like them are they factory BMW.

Yes. Credit goes to the OP here