Are there even electrons IN this USB port?

Ron Jeffries · 08-29-2018, 07:23 PM

It must put out a zillionth of an amp of power. It couldn't charge a flea, if fleas were electrical. Car has a battery powerful enough to lift it in the air, how about putting some of it through the USB port?

paposalsa · 08-29-2018, 09:40 PM

The purpose on any USB port is not for charging. It is for media music. If you want to charge use the power outlets which are designed for that purpose ...

Sportstick · 08-29-2018, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

... if fleas were electric...

Apparently, they are...someone makes a trap to catch them!

3rdcoast228i · 08-29-2018, 10:19 PM

Because USB power specs were invented a decade before the iphone. USB was designed for data transfer, not charging. Even then, "fast charging" is still relativity new.

Ron Jeffries · 08-30-2018, 06:32 AM

That argument would impress me more did my computers not all have 2, 3, or 5 USB ports that spit power so cheerfully that I can often light my room with the blue coruscating Cherenkov radiation.

One might also mention the paucity of power outlets in the 2-series. The front one runs my radar detector. (I know, I know, I should hard wire it, but I'm fearful.) The rear one presently has a neat little flashlight in it, and will be repurposed for phone power, I guess. The side one in the passenger compartment? Oh, there isn't one. And the one in the glove box? Isn't one there, either. Whee!

babaikram · 08-30-2018, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

That argument would impress me more did my computers not all have 2, 3, or 5 USB ports that spit power so cheerfully that I can often light my room with the blue coruscating Cherenkov radiation.

One might also mention the paucity of power outlets in the 2-series. The front one runs my radar detector. (I know, I know, I should hard wire it, but I'm fearful.) The rear one presently has a neat little flashlight in it, and will be repurposed for phone power, I guess. The side one in the passenger compartment? Oh, there isn't one. And the one in the glove box? Isn't one there, either. Whee!

I believe you get more usb ports with enhanced bluetooth and telephone option

Ron Jeffries · 08-30-2018, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babaikram

I believe you get more usb ports with enhanced bluetooth and telephone option

That could be. I don't know if I have that option or not but if they can't charge anything they're not good for much.

Funwithdesign · 08-30-2018, 06:59 AM

I believe you can increase the amperage of the USB port using coding.

3rdcoast228i · 08-30-2018, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

That argument would impress me more did my computers not all have 2, 3, or 5 USB ports that spit power so cheerfully that I can often light my room with the blue coruscating Cherenkov radiation.

That's because your computer is using USB 3.0+ (.9A) specs that has a higher output. Must car USB are still using lower output 2.0 (.5A) specs. Plus computer manufacturers realized years ago that people use their USB to charge wireless headphones, mice, phones, and other devices so they have been designing systems with more output in mind.

MarcoZandrini · 08-30-2018, 10:27 AM

Hmmm, my usb port charges my iphone fine.

JohnnyCanuck · 08-30-2018, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funwithdesign

I believe you can increase the amperage of the USB port using coding.

You can? I've looked and can't see it. You wouldn't happen to know what to code, would you?

I believe the actual charge rate is ~500mA ... reported by a battery monitoring app on my previous phone and that would be consistent with a USB 2.0 spec data port.

BEM-S4 · 08-30-2018, 10:58 AM

I could be wrong so experts (ie TechnicPNP) please confirm...

If your car did not come with phone cradle, you can pull radio and switch your USB cable from current port to the one for cradle, and get good power via your usb.

Or if you did get cradle you can remove it and plug that wiring into a new usb outlet to get good charging there.

PDXF22 · 08-30-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

Hmmm, my usb port charges my iphone fine.

Same

Funwithdesign · 08-30-2018, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

You can? I've looked and can't see it. You wouldn't happen to know what to code, would you?

I believe the actual charge rate is ~500mA ... reported by a battery monitoring app on my previous phone and that would be consistent with a USB 2.0 spec data port.

See this thread. I've never tried it so YMMV.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...338157&page=33

JohnnyCanuck · 08-30-2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funwithdesign

See this thread. I've never tried it so YMMV.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...338157&page=33

Thanks ... I do have/use Bimmercode so I might get around to doing this to see if it has any effect.

08-29-2018, 07:23 PM	#1
Ron Jeffries Old Member. Old in general, actually. 388 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i xDrive convertible Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Are there even electrons IN this USB port? It must put out a zillionth of an amp of power. It couldn't charge a flea, if fleas were electrical. Car has a battery powerful enough to lift it in the air, how about putting some of it through the USB port?
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08-29-2018, 09:40 PM	#2
paposalsa Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 243 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 228i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Williamsburg, VA iTrader: (0)	The purpose on any USB port is not for charging. It is for media music. If you want to charge use the power outlets which are designed for that purpose ...
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08-29-2018, 10:19 PM	#4
3rdcoast228i Captain 225 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2016 228i Msport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Because USB power specs were invented a decade before the iphone. USB was designed for data transfer, not charging. Even then, "fast charging" is still relativity new.
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08-30-2018, 06:32 AM	#5
Ron Jeffries Old Member. Old in general, actually. 388 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i xDrive convertible Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	That argument would impress me more did my computers not all have 2, 3, or 5 USB ports that spit power so cheerfully that I can often light my room with the blue coruscating Cherenkov radiation. One might also mention the paucity of power outlets in the 2-series. The front one runs my radar detector. (I know, I know, I should hard wire it, but I'm fearful.) The rear one presently has a neat little flashlight in it, and will be repurposed for phone power, I guess. The side one in the passenger compartment? Oh, there isn't one. And the one in the glove box? Isn't one there, either. Whee!
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08-30-2018, 06:59 AM	#8
Funwithdesign Arsevader 36 Rep 128 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	I believe you can increase the amperage of the USB port using coding.
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08-30-2018, 10:27 AM	#10
MarcoZandrini Major 445 Rep 1,264 Posts Drives: 2018 M240i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Hmmm, my usb port charges my iphone fine.
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08-30-2018, 10:58 AM	#12
BEM-S4 Major General 4517 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	I could be wrong so experts (ie TechnicPNP) please confirm... If your car did not come with phone cradle, you can pull radio and switch your USB cable from current port to the one for cradle, and get good power via your usb. Or if you did get cradle you can remove it and plug that wiring into a new usb outlet to get good charging there. __________________ 2022 Macan S 2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible
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