installing usb/aux

[Alexd1632]

can any one help me

how can i install a usb/aux in my x5

easy and cheap i hope :]

if any one can help that will be great

thanks

[TerminatorX5]

Hello Alex...

depending on the current audio/visual setup in your car, installing an AUX input can be easy or a little bit involved (but still, relatively easy)

on the other hand, installing a USB port into just a car will be impossible, as a USB port is a computer interface (Universal Serial Bus) that will require a real computer to utilize the USB functions... This is only possible if you will consider installing a CarPC (CarPuter), and will need to utilize a CIS-IBUS device... this is far more complicated explanation (not really complicated principle though) than a plain AUX input...

On the other hand, if you wish to install USB charging ports, it can be accomplished rather easy - the USB charging facility does not use the serial link for the serial bus, only the charging connectors within the USB standard... All you need is a power converter that steps down vehicle's 12 VDC to USB standard 5VDC. Standard on-board USB ports in computers normally provide 0.5 A of current (rating of 2.5-3W), most wall and cigarette lighter chargers are rated at 1A current (5W), some better ones are rated at 2A (10W), and you can get a barebone units off ebay that provide 3A of current (15W). The barebone units will require some wire tapping...

Going back to the AUX input...

tell us more about your current A/V setup in car, also let us know about your technical skills - say, on a scale of 1 through 10...

1 - you can turn on TV at home or radio in a car

10 - you design and built a professional looking electronic device inhouse...

I would rate my personal electronic skills at 7 - even though i can design a piece and built it, it will not look much professional... lol...

Once you give us the starting info, I can help you further with your AUX install...

[Alexd1632]

thanks buddy well i always mess about with cars building sub boxes and installing them and also cd players just the basic stuff.

i am not pro at this stuff but will put my hand to any think

if you can help me in any way that will be great.

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by Alexd1632

thanks buddy well i always mess about with cars building sub boxes and installing them and also cd players just the basic stuff.

i am not pro at this stuff but will put my hand to any think

if you can help me in any way that will be great.

sure...

what are you starting with?

[Alexd1632]

all i have is a aux lead lol

there is a aux port in the back i no of if that's any help.

[TerminatorX5]

so, it seems that you have a navigation along with a monitor... your E53 is 2002 - is your screen 16:9 (widescreen) or a 4:3 (standard screen)?

[Alexd1632]

sorry standard buddy

[TerminatorX5]

with standard screen you might not have an AUX pre-wired behind the screen... what is the build date of your car?

[04e53x5]

If you have the original radio bav-auto sells a aux input from bmw, that is farely easy to install i believe it was about 30 dollars. I installed it on my X its works prefectly

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by 04e53x5

If you have the original radio bav-auto sells a aux input from bmw, that is farely easy to install i believe it was about 30 dollars. I installed it on my X its works prefectly

He is in the UK, so he should have a BM54 radio, which is a double tuner (one tuner is for traffic reports)... the earlier versions might not have an AUX input... in the US we have BM53 radio, which is a single tuner (earlier versions might not have an AUX either) but our radios can take Sirius satellite tuner and the euro versions can't...

what is part number for the bavauto AUX harness? there are couple factory retrofit part numbers, depending on the car's equipment...