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BMW, power socket, cigarette socket size ghaaaaa!!!! BMW, power socket, cigarette socket size ghaaaaa!!!!
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  #1  
Old 21 Feb 2007
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BMW, power socket, cigarette socket size ghaaaaa!!!!
Gaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!
Here is the deal! I got a BMW fitted with a BMW power socket.
I bought a PDA and adaptor to recharge the battery in my power socket! The problem is: the BMw power socket is not the usual car size power socket, it´s smaller! What´s the big deal would you say! Well, I went to BMW to buy an adaptor so that I can plug various things that are for car power socket (easy to find ) but they do not have any adaptor! They just don´t provide it! So, surely I´m not the only one having various toys to plug and recharge!
Where can I find an adaptor from cigarette car plug size to BMW socket size? How are you guys recharging the batteries of your PCs, PDAs, Cameras etc on an unconventional size power socket???????

PLEASE PLEASE!!! tell me where I can find an adaptor! !!!!

Thanks!
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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You can buy some useful plugs and sockets with leads from Maplins. They call them race leads. I've wired a couple of the sockets up on each of my bikes via an inline fuse, one direct to the battery and another into the wiring so it's only live when the ignition or accessories are switched on. I've fitted the corresponding plugs to most of my accessories. I've also made up a short lead with a race plug and a car type style socket so if I want to I can use an accessory with a "normal" car plug.
Can you not buy a BMW plug and wire it up to a car type socket, which you can buy from somewhere like Maplins or Halfords?
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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Powerlet has what at you looking for.
See at:

Powerlet :: Adapter Cables
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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As Harleyrider suggested, I bought from BMW a male plug to go into the bike's female socket and connected to it a short wire that I connected to a 'car cigarette' male thingy (Maplins). I then alternately plugged the car type plugs on my mobile phone, i-Pod etc when they needed charging - and boogied all the way to mid-Italy quite happily. I also had ready wired up an inspection light but didn't need it!

I did take care when connecting the wire at both ends to keep the correct polarity to the plug centre and the centre of the socket (similarly the other polarity to the surrounding sheath) just in case it was wrong and something managed to reach earth.

Question - can you charge a digital camera off this or is some transforner required?
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
Question - can you charge a digital camera off this or is some transforner required?
That depends on your camera and whether it only comes with a mains charger. Some laptops need more than 12 volts. I also have a 12v to 240v ac invertor, which I can use to recharge my laptop and my own camera and camcorder batteries (which only have a mains charger). A 150w transformer is not particularly heavy, bulky or expensive.
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Old 22 Feb 2007
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In North America we can get the 'BMW plugs' from BMW (natch), John Deere, or Powerlet Products.

They are much nicer than the automotive-style, because they don't tend to pull out or have a partial connection, IMO.
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Old 22 Feb 2007
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Maria, Motorworks sell 2 options.
Option 1 is to buy a plug and chop off the 'car cigarette' size and wire on the new one.
Option 2 is an adaptor cable. This has a 'car cigarette' size on one end and a BMW accessory socket size on the other.
I prefer option 1 as it's less bulky. I also bought option 2, though as I have a further adaptor that lets me use USB plugs and saves loads of space.
Email me if you want some photos.
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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In Brisbane Australia, I fitted the socket you talk about into my Honda ST1300, then went off to the local BMW shop and easily purchased the plug. Then it was off to the car accessories shop to buy a standard cigareete lighter plug. After a little soldering of wires, I now have an extension/adapter cord. Suggest you try another BMW dealer.
John
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Old 21 Feb 2007
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Maria
The BMW plug is £5.50 + postage from MotorWorks Motorworks BMW and Guzzi Spares their ref item number 'ELA60106 Auxilary power plug'.
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