Use toothbruh charger to charge BMW key

scirocco · #1 12-23-2014, 04:25 PM

If you do not use the BMW key for extended periods of time, it can get discharged. The key is chaged by using it in the ignition switch.

An alternative is to charge your keys using an inductive toothbrush charger - like a Braun toothbrush charger. Try different orientations of the key. Normally keeping the key fob vertical on top of the little round protusion on the charger will work best.

Sorry for the misspelt title. It does not let me edit it.

StirFriedPanda · #2 12-23-2014, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the tip. Do you know if a QI wireless charging pad will work as well?

scirocco · #3 12-23-2014, 05:59 PM

I am not familiar with the keypad you are talking about. But it is worth trying any inductive charger. Trick is the orientation of the key fob while charging.

StirFriedPanda · #4 12-23-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco

I am not familiar with the keypad you are talking about. But it is worth trying any inductive charger. Trick is the orientation of the key fob while charging.

Sorry, like rayxi said. It' an inductive charging device used for cellphone and other consumer electronic. I'll test it out tonight and post results.

rayxi · #5 12-23-2014, 06:18 PM

Welcome to the forum.

I'll have to give that a try. I usually just leave the key in the ignition in the 0 position overnight and it's good to go in the morning. That was in my E46 as I've never had my E53 key battery run out.

BTW the Qi charging system is what most mobile devices use for wireless charging.

scirocco · #6 12-23-2014, 06:46 PM

From what I have read, position zero does not charge the battery. I could be wrong though.

rayxi · #7 12-23-2014, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco

From what I have read, position zero does not charge the battery. I could be wrong though.

I can say for sure that it works on my E46 as I have recharged a dead key that way. It may not work on other models like the E53 however. I don't have my E53 anymore so I can't test it.

Jungerishere · #8 12-24-2014, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayxi

I can say for sure that it works on my E46 as I have recharged a dead key that way. It may not work on other models like the E53 however. I don't have my E53 anymore so I can't test it.

Yup, I have charged the key on position 0 many times as well on E46. I have three keys and don’t drive the M3 much so I let the keys charge in the ignition. However, I noticed that you need to switch to position 1 or 2 first and then back to 0 and leave the key in for it to charge. If you just insert the key and leave it in position 0, key does not charge. I let it charge for several days and the keys are good to go.

I have also tried with Qi charging pad and the key does not charge. I guess the key doesn’t meet Qi standards. All of my charging pads have charging LED indicator when Qi receiver (my phone) is placed on top to notify you that the device is charging. Placing the key on the pad doesn’t do this. Tried many different placement on the pad and the key still does not charge.

Here is a link with the toothbrush changer and this guy in the video was successful in charging the BMW keys. Video shows Philips Sonicare rechargeable toothbrush base. Maybe I’ll pick one of these up and try it out. But currently, all of my keys are charged and working…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC68Z7CP2XM

scirocco · #9 12-23-2014, 07:08 PM

How would you verify the results? Unless you had a fully discharged key fob that started working after you charged it?

I have a Seiko watch which gets discharged if left to sit for a long time. And since I keep many watches, I do not wear it often. To continue to wear it just to keep it charged was not something that appealed to me. So I let it sit on a toothbrush charger. And it was charged up in the morning. The watch has an indicator which tells the level of charge.

StirFriedPanda · #10 12-23-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scirocco

How would you verify the results? Unless you had a fully discharged key fob that started working after you charged it?

I have a Seiko watch which gets discharged if left to sit for a long time. And since I keep many watches, I do not wear it often. To continue to wear it just to keep it charged was not something that appealed to me. So I let it sit on a toothbrush charger. And it was charged up in the morning. The watch has an indicator which tells the level of charge.

I will verify it just like you said. One of my key fobs does not work at the moment. I've assumed it was because of a dead battery and I haven't really wanted to cut it open. I will throw it on my Qi charger overnight and see if it's working in the morning. If it's not, I will then throw it on my toothbrush charger and leave it for the day. If it's still not working I will determine the results inconclusive, as something other than the battery may be at fault.