BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-28-2011, 03:31 PM   #1
Lotus7
Major
United_States
68
Rep
1,041
Posts

Drives: xxxx
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: xxxx

iTrader: (0)

What to do with your "lighter" socket - or Why do I care about my battery voltage?

POST DELETED

Last edited by Lotus7; 02-05-2012 at 05:53 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 03:43 PM   #2
Dukat
First Lieutenant
Dukat's Avatar
United_States
25
Rep
383
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Very cool Lotus, especially that flashlight. Thanks.
__________________
2012 X3 35i | Mineral Silver | Oyster | Wave Wood
Packages | Sports | Cold Weather | Dynamic Handling | Premium | Technology | Premium Sound
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 03:43 PM   #3
VikingOne
Private First Class
VikingOne's Avatar
United Kingdom
11
Rep
198
Posts

Drives: BMW G30 530e 2018
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

As always, Lotus you are the god amongst gods. Thanks.

__________________

Previous: 2011 X3 2.0d xLine
Previous: 2015 X3 LCI 3.0d xLine
Current: 2018 530e 2L M-Sport I-Performance
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 04:12 PM   #4
tagz
Second Lieutenant
tagz's Avatar
8
Rep
256
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive 35i
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Nice post Lotus!

You rock!
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 04:16 PM   #5
X5plug-in
Lieutenant
72
Rep
532
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Ditto. Still trying to find a source of these meters in the UK. eBay folks postage doubles their price. My nephew rigged me up a temp version for now - thanks Christopher!
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 04:37 PM   #6
LEDZEP
Lieutenant General
LEDZEP's Avatar
417
Rep
12,276
Posts

Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Area 51

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I usually just lick my finger and stick it in there. I'm able to gauge the charge level by the degree of pain.
__________________


I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 04:38 PM   #7
LEDZEP
Lieutenant General
LEDZEP's Avatar
417
Rep
12,276
Posts

Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Area 51

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by VikingOne View Post
As always, Lotus you are the god amongst gods. Thanks.

So, what you're saying is that everyone here is a god.... and amongst us lesser gods, Lotus7 is the greater god. Yeah, that sounds about right. I'm good with that.
__________________


I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 05:48 PM   #8
Razel
Rider and driver
Razel's Avatar
United_States
141
Rep
506
Posts

Drives: '21 X3MC
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Oregon City, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Sure, but do you light up "a beautiful ruby color"?
More like the blue you get from the sparks between the teeth.
__________________
2021 X3 MC

I work for Keyser Söze
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2011, 06:20 PM   #9
LEDZEP
Lieutenant General
LEDZEP's Avatar
417
Rep
12,276
Posts

Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Area 51

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Sure, but do you light up "a beautiful ruby color"?
Only when you're around!
__________________


I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2011, 08:04 AM   #10
xDrive35i
Lieutenant Colonel
xDrive35i's Avatar
United_States
122
Rep
1,781
Posts

Drives: Porsche Macan S
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Sure, but do you light up "a beautiful ruby color"?
Only when you're around!
HEY...back off. He's mine
Appreciate 0
      09-30-2011, 07:40 AM   #11
PGB
New Member
5
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Draw on the electrics?

I just picked up my new X3 and interested to see there's been previous discussion about battery recharging. I was thinking this week about what I may possibly be plugging i and what impact it may have.

USB in centre console - 500ma HDD with 140Gb of music
Lighter plug near drinks holder - Garmin Sat Nav
Lighter plug in centre console - Charging two iphones
Lighter plug for back seat - Charging iPad

Is this going to draw more power than the electronics can handle?
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2011, 06:36 AM   #12
Nitropdx
New Member
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 28i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Portland Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Triple packs available

Thanks for the post Lotus. I just ordered a Fade to Black triple pack that includes a black, titanium and silver. Couldn't decide between the three for my Mineral Silver with Sienna wood and Mojave leather so I got all three colors! I'm thinking silver will look best but we'll see. Cant really go wrong with any of those colors. Cost was $43.95 plus $5.95 shipping.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2011, 06:39 AM   #13
Nitropdx
New Member
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 28i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Portland Oregon

iTrader: (0)

Triple pack link

Here's the link that I forgot to post in previous one ...

http://www.jtspecialty.net/collections/allproducts/products/spotlight-colors
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2011, 08:12 AM   #14
PGB
New Member
5
Rep
24
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
You will be fine. Each of the "lighter" sockets is independently fused at 10 Amps (the fuses are in both the front No.1 fuse panel behind the glove box and the larger, No. 2 panel in the rear fender).

The USB port is good for 500 mA, but not more. You are wise to use your iPad adapter in one of the 12 volt sockets, since it draws too much for the USB port, but will easily be accommodated by any of the other accessory sockets.

FYI: You may be interested in this lighter socket/USB power adapter. I have one and it works great. It will supply 1.2 amps, which is plenty for most USB accessories. It's tiny and reduces the wire clutter near the lighter socket. They also sell a 2.1 amp version that is recommended for iPads.

The phone chargers probably draw less then 1 amp each, and the Garmin about 2 amps, so are no problem at all.

I wouldn’t plug in a 10 amp tire compressor, however.

Also, please be aware that the accessory sockets are switched off after a 5 to 15 minute delay after the vehicle has been shut off. Your chargers will not work, but then again, they won't run down your battery while the car is stopped.
Many thanks for the detail. Much appreciated.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
battery, charging, flashlight, voltmeter

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST