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Technical Topics iDrive, Nav, Phone, Audio, Video, Cameras, Electronics G20 USB-C max power output?

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      02-17-2019, 07:09 PM   #1
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G20 USB-C max power output?

Anyone know what is the max power output of these usb-c ports in centre arm rest and back of center console? I don't think it supports 87W or 60W for 15/13 inch macbook pro charing. Maybe 30W? 18W? If it only supports 12W, it is really lame. As the car is not 48V mild hybrid, it only output max 12V, so power delivery with 9V*2A=18W? Maybe? Can only charge you iPhone and nothing else. Just my speculation. could be just 12W
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      02-18-2019, 01:38 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stvding View Post
Anyone know what is the max power output of these usb-c ports in centre arm rest and back of center console? I don't think it supports 87W or 60W for 15/13 inch macbook pro charing. Maybe 30W? 18W? If it only supports 12W, it is really lame. As the car is not 48V mild hybrid, it only output max 12V, so power delivery with 9V*2A=18W? Maybe? Can only charge you iPhone and nothing else. Just my speculation. could be just 12W

USB C without PD is 5v * 3amp. if its usb PD there are rules as to what voltages must be supported, I know if its higher than 15W it must support 5v * 3 and 9V * 2.

30W needs 15v support. I bet its just 5v * 3amp. Though you CAN charge a macbook or laptop very slowly with that so I guess its not entirely useless.
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      02-18-2019, 09:44 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hans007 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by stvding View Post
Anyone know what is the max power output of these usb-c ports in centre arm rest and back of center console? I don't think it supports 87W or 60W for 15/13 inch macbook pro charing. Maybe 30W? 18W? If it only supports 12W, it is really lame. As the car is not 48V mild hybrid, it only output max 12V, so power delivery with 9V*2A=18W? Maybe? Can only charge you iPhone and nothing else. Just my speculation. could be just 12W

USB C without PD is 5v * 3amp. if its usb PD there are rules as to what voltages must be supported, I know if its higher than 15W it must support 5v * 3 and 9V * 2.

30W needs 15v support. I bet its just 5v * 3amp. Though you CAN charge a macbook or laptop very slowly with that so I guess its not entirely useless.
You're probably spot on as our incoming x5 has 5V x 3A = 15 watt usb c ports. Not sure if pd compatible.

If that's not enough power for you I use this in my G30: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anker...way&sr=8-3
Charges even my MacBook Pro 15 (takes awhile of course and can't really charge while on), works well charging son's switch and MacBook 12

Here's a page from G05 tech update:
Attached Images
 
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      02-18-2019, 11:50 AM   #4
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So newer BMW's have fully adopted USB-C? Cool!
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      02-20-2019, 03:39 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Pauleebe View Post
So newer BMW's have fully adopted USB-C? Cool!
Yes G20 has 3 USB C ports and one USB A
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      02-22-2019, 08:41 PM   #6
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I use one of these

https://www.cygnett.com/products/chargep-pro27k-60w

I leave it in the car during the week which charges it slowly (my F13 M6 seems to output about 2A at 5v) and when I need to charge my X1 Carbon the battery bank is able to charge it at 60w.

The one thing that I've found that is quite funny is that it can do pass-through charging for phones just fine, but when you're feeding it 5v it can't output more than that to a laptop - not that it matters much as 60w out and 10w in will still discharge it really quickly.

I also use it as a charger for the smaller battery banks I use on a hike or something and I know they'll be full the next time I come back to the car and I don't need to carry a bit heavy unit around.
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      03-28-2019, 02:41 PM   #7
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I heard that the two rear USB-C ports are only for charging, and that the USB-C in the center console can charge & perform data transfer with Nav. My dealer said that only the USB-A port in the dash/coffee cup area can be used with an iPod (or similar).
Is this true?
Thanks
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      10-17-2019, 01:44 AM   #8
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I managed to charge my 13" MacBook Pro from 28% to 75% using one of the rear USB C today over an one hour drive. I think that's pretty good.
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      10-20-2019, 11:04 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xsubs View Post
Jay P
I heard that the two rear USB-C ports are only for charging, and that the USB-C in the center console can charge & perform data transfer with Nav. My dealer said that only the USB-A port in the dash/coffee cup area can be used with an iPod (or similar).
Is this true?
Thanks
I uses a cheap usb c to usb a otg dongle. And iPod classic 120gb works just fine
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      10-20-2019, 11:20 PM   #10
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From the online owners manual:

(Sockets section)
The total load of all sockets must not exceed 140 watts at 12 volts.

(USB interface section)

A USB interface is located in the center armrest.
Properties:
USB port Type C.
For charging of mobile devices.
Charge current: max. 3 A.
With navigation system: for data transfer.

A USB interface is located in the center console.
Properties:
USB port Type A.
For charging mobile devices and for data transfer.
Charge current: max. 1.5 A.

A USB interface with two USB ports is located in the center console in the rear.
Properties:
USB port Type C.
For charging of mobile devices.
Charge current: max. 3 A per connection.
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      08-05-2020, 04:45 AM   #11
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USB C PD

Hi does anyone knows if the USB C ports work with USB C PD cables or only non PD?
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      08-05-2020, 07:20 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xsubs View Post
Jay P
I heard that the two rear USB-C ports are only for charging, and that the USB-C in the center console can charge & perform data transfer with Nav. My dealer said that only the USB-A port in the dash/coffee cup area can be used with an iPod (or similar).
Is this true?
Thanks
It's both. The one in the armrest is USB C and the one by the wireless charge unit is USB A. They will both do data transfer and charge.

However if you are installing a map update downloaded from BMW connected drive onto a USB you must use the USB C in the armrest. I have an adapter that converts a USB A to C.

Took me ages to work out to use the USB C for Maps. For adding music onto the iDrive hard drive you can use both.

The ones in the back are charge only.
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      08-05-2020, 07:25 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by del82 View Post
It's both. The one in the armrest is USB C and the one by the wireless charge unit is USB A. They will both do data transfer and charge.

However if you are installing a map update downloaded from BMW connected drive onto a USB you must use the USB C in the armrest. I have an adapter that converts a USB A to C.

Took me ages to work out to use the USB C for Maps. For adding music onto the iDrive hard drive you can use both.

The ones in the back are charge only.
I’ve loaded the map updates thru the USB A in the cup holders without any problems.
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      08-05-2020, 09:34 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
I’ve loaded the map updates thru the USB A in the cup holders without any problems.
I can confirm that USB A works just fine for map update.
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      08-05-2020, 03:35 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWagonFan View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tam the Bam View Post
I’ve loaded the map updates thru the USB A in the cup holders without any problems.
I can confirm that USB A works just fine for map update.
Interesting. I couldn't get maps to load but music was ok in A. As soon as I tried in C maps uploaded.

Manual also seems to say USB C for map update.

It didn't make sense at the time and even less so now. Next update I'll try A. Thanks.
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      08-06-2020, 06:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by del82 View Post
Interesting. I couldn't get maps to load but music was ok in A. As soon as I tried in C maps uploaded.

Manual also seems to say USB C for map update.

It didn't make sense at the time and even less so now. Next update I'll try A. Thanks.
Did you use a USB C Power Delivery (PD) cable or non PD?
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      08-11-2020, 09:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jankebek View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by del82 View Post
Interesting. I couldn't get maps to load but music was ok in A. As soon as I tried in C maps uploaded.

Manual also seems to say USB C for map update.

It didn't make sense at the time and even less so now. Next update I'll try A. Thanks.
Did you use a USB C Power Delivery (PD) cable or non PD?
The usb c port only offer 15w max. I tested it myself. It is barely pd. I used a power meter.
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      12-09-2020, 07:43 AM   #18
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Anyone know which colour the cables behind the unit (blue plug) are ground, 12v live etc please
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      03-20-2023, 02:11 PM   #19
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This post aligns with my measurements on a 2023 M340i: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...7&postcount=13
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      10-24-2024, 04:31 PM   #20
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Is there a way of getting 2x usb c ports I. The arm rest? I find the front usb a port can barely add a charge to an iPhone that’s being used for CarPlay on a journey
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      10-27-2024, 12:06 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AshleyM1983 View Post
Is there a way of getting 2x usb c ports I. The arm rest? I find the front usb a port can barely add a charge to an iPhone that’s being used for CarPlay on a journey
Yes-

If you have data in the armrest- then source a double usb-c port from a u11 bmw. That can support two data ports and charging ports.

If you don’t have data in the armrest, then you can just find the rear seat double usb-c for charge only, and that will fit in the armrest (plug and play)
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      10-27-2024, 12:37 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AshleyM1983 View Post
Is there a way of getting 2x usb c ports I. The arm rest? I find the front usb a port can barely add a charge to an iPhone that’s being used for CarPlay on a journey
If cables from the cup holders works for you, try a dual "USB-C PD" plug that connects to the 12V outlet. I haven't tried if there is sufficient cooling, but there are some models in metal and sits almost flat with the outlet.
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