[Emile]

How have you guys solved this?

It would be great to be able to connect a cell phone and other devices.

 

[kerplunk38]

Depends on what type of USB power output your device requires. I have one of these hardwired to the battery and it works perfectly for my iPhone and my GPS:

All Weather USB Hardwire Kit

There are other similar items that will also work for higher power requirements.

How have you guys solved this?

It would be great to be able to connect a cell phone and other devices.

 

[gracehall1980]

Can anyone figure out how to connect this to the three wires on Dr Dave's "Mystery Port" connector?

 

[Jokerdef]

Depends on what type of USB power output your device requires. I have one of these hardwired to the battery and it works perfectly for my iPhone and my GPS:

All Weather USB Hardwire Kit

I also have the Burns Moto Weatherproof USB Port
and it works well. The port is connected to the battery leads and it has a built in digital fuse. I highly recommend the rubber seal that makes the connection waterproof.

I installed the port to the upper triple tree with velcro.

Here's a link.
BurnsMoto - Motorcycle, ATV, Boat, RV - USB Weatherproof Power Socket - USB Charger with optional SAE to USB

and here's a link for a cable that fits the "mystery socket"
Cable for extra device (GPS) 12V for BMW R1200R | BMW Motorcycle Accessory Hornig

 

[Emile]

I also have the Burns Moto Weatherproof USB Port
and it works well. The port is connected to the battery leads and it has a built in digital fuse. I highly recommend the rubber seal that makes the connection waterproof.

I installed the port to the upper triple tree with velcro.

Here's a link.
BurnsMoto - Motorcycle, ATV, Boat, RV - USB Weatherproof Power Socket - USB Charger with optional SAE to USB

and here's a link for a cable that fits the "mystery socket"
Cable for extra device (GPS) 12V for BMW R1200R | BMW Motorcycle Accessory Hornig

Great! I'll just solder those to together! =)

However, I read somewhere that the "mystery socket" cable cost about 9€, here it costs 25€. Anyone found that cable somewhere else?

 

[DJ_Fission]

I also have the Burns Moto Weatherproof USB Port
and it works well. The port is connected to the battery leads and it has a built in digital fuse. I highly recommend the rubber seal that makes the connection waterproof.

I installed the port to the upper triple tree with velcro.

Here's a link.
BurnsMoto - Motorcycle, ATV, Boat, RV - USB Weatherproof Power Socket - USB Charger with optional SAE to USB

and here's a link for a cable that fits the "mystery socket"
Cable for extra device (GPS) 12V for BMW R1200R | BMW Motorcycle Accessory Hornig

That definitely sounds like a workable solution, thanks!

 

[drDave]

So can you hook up the Burns wire directl to the battery terminals? Will the CAN-Bus get all sniffy on you and shut everything down?

Also, the Mystery Plug cable (which is labeled "GPS TO CAN-BUS LEAD") has three yellow wires, and it looks like the USB connector has two? So what to do if you wanted to solder a USB connector to it?

 

[drDave]

Jokerdef,

What length Burns cable did you get?

 

[DJ_Fission]

So can you hook up the Burns wire directl to the battery terminals? Will the CAN-Bus get all sniffy on you and shut everything down?

Also, the Mystery Plug cable (which is labeled "GPS TO CAN-BUS LEAD") has three yellow wires, and it looks like the USB connector has two? So what to do if you wanted to solder a USB connector to it?

I'll check the schematics in my Haynes manual when I get home, but I'd assume the third one is a ground, which would go unused with a USB connector with just a (+) and (-) lead.

Like I said, I'll check when I get home and let you know.

 

[drDave]

OK. We're getting somewhere. Clem emailed me that the 3 yellow wires on the Mystery Plug connector actually have teeny tiny "1" "2" and "3" printed on the wires, and he suggests (I think, don't quote me on this) using just the "1" and "3" yellow wires to hook up to a Burns USB port, via soldering, etc.

 

[DJ_Fission]

A recommendation that I have is to look at the AC adapter you have for the device you want to plug into this new USB/Mystery Plug connector, and make sure to get a USB port that will support that much current. For example, my Galaxy Note 2 has a 2.1 amp AC adapter, so fortunately a Google search revealed that a 2.1 amp "Burns USB port" type plug exists. Just wanted to remind everyone as this could be easily overloooked.

 

[drDave]

I'm assuming that my Iphone 5 will somehow hook up to the Mystery Plug connector via the Burns USB and a few dabs of solder. Time will Tell as I ordered the Burns USB port today, and he shipped it just about immediately. Great service, so when it gets here, and we've confirmed which yellow wires go to which Burns wires, I will let everyone know. Or if you hear of a news item saying "Dumb Guy Blows Up His Iphone on his Motorcycle" . . well, you'll know either way. . ..

 

[Emile]

Just use a multimeter to se what 2 wires is the 12v (+) and the (-) and ignore the final wire.

 

[drDave]

Ah, at last, a use for my multimeter. . .

 

[kerplunk38]

I don't recommend using the GPS port but if you insist you can use this to avoid cutting any existing wires:

83300413585- Electrical- Sierra BMW Online- BMW CAN-BUS GPS/Gadget Power Pigtail

 

[drDave]

Kp, yeah, that's what I've got. . .why wouldn't you use it for a USB port?

 

[kerplunk38]

I initially tried using the GPS port for my iPhone to charge it and it was what I would call erratic. By that I mean the phone would charge fine for a period of time and then it would simply stop charging for no reason. I always assumed it was due to the CAN-Bus. I eventually gave up and hardwired to the battery. Everything has been fine since then.

If you do hardwire be sure not to leave anything plugged into the USB port after you turn off the bike or you will possibly discharge your bike's battery.

Thanks,
kerplunk

 

[websterize]

So can you hook up the Burns wire directl to the battery terminals? Will the CAN-Bus get all sniffy on you and shut everything down?

Dave, yes you can, and no, it won't shut down everything, but it's overkill for as low-draw a device as a cell phone. The point of direct-to-battery connection is to bypass the bike's entire electrical ecosystem — the ZFE control module that regulates the electronics and the can-bus pathway on which all that electrical goodness travels. The ZFE will cut power to any outlets on the network drawing more than ~5A. Most heated riding clothing, which draws a lot more than 5A, will work only via a direct-to-battery connection.

My sense is an iPhone 5 or the like isn't worth your trouble. As kerplunk and other BMW riders would probably agree, the ZFE module (via the can-bus network) is nothing if not fussy. Might I suggest a mophie (.com) juice pack ?

 

[Robu]

I just took the USB adapter and I plug that into the "by the seat" socket. plugs fine to iPhone into my pockets while i am driving.. but I am afraid what if I forget that my iPhone is plugged into while dims ting from Bike..

but hey it works !!!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Some day I will get the lead from under the tank and mount a USB in front of the tank on the plastic piece, out of the way, hidden. Then I could use a short USB connecter to my phone which is mounted to my handlebars with a Rokform bicycle mount.

iPhone 6 Bike Handlebar Mount w/ Protective Case

Until then I will continue to use the USB plug my local BMW dealer sold me, connect to the powerlet and run the USB cord to my phone, which so far has not been necessary.