MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - iPhone 3G and iPod/USB charging issue solved!!!

Corey986 · #1 03-07-2009, 03:53 PM

Ok I can confirm that the issue is related to the power draw available on the USB port. When you use the mini cable it draws enough for the interface to prevent charging. When you use an iPhone cable it charges, but slowly due to the 100ma provided by the interface.

Since the iPhone draws different amount of power depending upon the situation there may be cases where your in edge mode sitting idle and what the mini cable provides will eventually charge over a long period of time.

My solution, suplimemt the USB power provided with off the shelf stuff.

For about 15 bucks I got a USB car charger which provides 500ma (it also includes a spare house charger), I then used a USB extension cable made specifically for a USB wifi/3g modem which has 2 plugs. It's exact purpose is to allow the modem to pull power from 2 USB ports. I then plug one into the car USB and one into lighter USB charger and then plug the mini cable into the cable's jack for the modem. My iphone should be getting about 600ma or about the same as a house charger.

My iPhone charges all the time now and charges fast.

chmurph2 · #2 04-22-2009, 08:35 AM

Corey986,

Thanks for posting that you solved this. Can you please specify the model you got for the USB charger and the extension cable? Bonus would be a link to them on Amazon, or wherever?

Thanks,
Chris

njchris · #3 04-24-2009, 09:52 AM

Where did you get that USB wifi/3g modem cable?

bjlovet · #4 07-02-2009, 07:48 PM

To anyone still looking for this, I found the cable at Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/USB-Power-Adapter-Y-Cable/dp/B000JIOHDE

There are several USB / lighter adapters to choose from. The one I chose is this:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Dual-Charger-iPod-Black/dp/B001FB578I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246585663&sr =1-4

I hope this helps someone.

robovega · #5 07-02-2009, 10:25 PM

First off, thanks Corey986 for sharing your workaround. Much appreciated.

I really like this solution, but I'm reluctant because of the messy look of excess cable and adapters. According to eBay, the cable from Amazon is 3.28 feet.

This seems to be another option from eBay:

New USB Female to 2 USB A Male Power Y Cable Extension

This cable measures only 11 inches, so this could make things a little more tidy. I'm also eyeing this power adapter that sits flush against the cigarette lighter socket:

Belkin Micro Auto Charger

Just thought I'd add a few more options for those motorers who want to try and keep things neat.

Gumpper · #6 08-15-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robovega

First off, thanks Corey986 for sharing your workaround. Much appreciated.

I really like this solution, but I'm reluctant because of the messy look of excess cable and adapters. According to eBay, the cable from Amazon is 3.28 feet.

This seems to be another option from eBay:

New USB Female to 2 USB A Male Power Y Cable Extension

This cable measures only 11 inches, so this could make things a little more tidy. I'm also eyeing this power adapter that sits flush against the cigarette lighter socket:

Belkin Micro Auto Charger

Just thought I'd add a few more options for those motorers who want to try and keep things neat.

I'm confused as to why the new Y-connector is needed. If I got the Belkin min-charger, couldn't I just use the OEM Y-connector, but run the USB male into the Belkin instead of the dashboard? I'm assuming the Belkin has sufficient output power to charge the 3GS, so what do I gain by having a cable plugged into the dashboard female USB?

Little Bean · #7 08-18-2009, 08:42 AM

Gumpper,
I think the USB still needs to be plugged into the car for controls of music. We should let Schatzy chime on in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumpper

I'm confused as to why the new Y-connector is needed. If I got the Belkin min-charger, couldn't I just use the OEM Y-connector, but run the USB male into the Belkin instead of the dashboard? I'm assuming the Belkin has sufficient output power to charge the 3GS, so what do I gain by having a cable plugged into the dashboard female USB?

Gumpper · #8 08-18-2009, 07:58 PM

You're right, Little Bean. Right now I've got the original Y-cable plugged into a Belkin mini-charger and the aux input, but have the second Y-cable on order. Not having the steering wheel controls isn't much of a problem for me now, since I'm primarily using the iphone with the Slacker app.

**schatzy62** · #9 08-19-2009, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Bean

Gumpper,
I think the USB still needs to be plugged into the car for controls of music. We should let Schatzy chime on in.

Little Bean, You are correct on this. To retain control of the Music from the radio/MFSW controls you will still have to have a USB cable plugged into the MINI USB port.

THus to power and control music you will need a "USB Y-Cable" and the "MINI Y-Cable". The "USB Y-Cable will plug into the power (what ever item that is used for that) and the MINI USB port. Then the "MINI Y-Cable" USB will plug into the "USB Y-Cable" and the Audio connector will plug into the AUX. Then the iPod connector end of the "MINI Y-Cable" will plug into the iPhone.

Parkerton · #10 11-03-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzy62

THus to power and control music you will need a "USB Y-Cable" and the "MINI Y-Cable". The "USB Y-Cable will plug into the power (what ever item that is used for that) and the MINI USB port. Then the "MINI Y-Cable" USB will plug into the "USB Y-Cable" and the Audio connector will plug into the AUX. Then the iPod connector end of the "MINI Y-Cable" will plug into the iPhone.

Sorry Schatzy, but I’m having problems envisioning this. I think I’m much more visual.

Can someone diagram this (nothing fancy – hand drawn is fine) so that us visual people can experience this new iPhone charging / playing bliss too?

THANKS!!!

Little Bean · #11 08-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robovega

First off, thanks Corey986 for sharing your workaround. Much appreciated.

I really like this solution, but I'm reluctant because of the messy look of excess cable and adapters. According to eBay, the cable from Amazon is 3.28 feet.

This seems to be another option from eBay:

New USB Female to 2 USB A Male Power Y Cable Extension

This cable measures only 11 inches, so this could make things a little more tidy. I'm also eyeing this power adapter that sits flush against the cigarette lighter socket:

Belkin Micro Auto Charger

Just thought I'd add a few more options for those motorers who want to try and keep things neat.

Just wanted to let everyone know that this set up does work with the IPhone 3GS. Old (infamous) "Y" cable audio jack to the jack plug, Y cable USB end to the female end of the new Amazon cable with the two other USB ends going to the Mini USB port and the other to a cig. plug adapter. Only problems are: A. multiple wires B. my LED on cig plug adapter stays lit even when car is off. ( power from Mini USB), C. I have extra cables b/c I got a single to dual cig. plug adapter so can charge phone and run radar detector.
Little Bean

redrobin · #12 07-03-2009, 10:51 PM

Anyone know if this works for the 3gs as well?

chmurph2 · #13 07-07-2009, 08:33 PM

+1 Anyone know if this works for the 3gs as well?

markusw · #14 08-12-2009, 11:13 AM

Corey986, Thanks for solving this problem!

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrobin

Anyone know if this works for the 3gs as well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chmurph2

+1 Anyone know if this works for the 3gs as well?

I ordered that cable from ebay and it charges the 3gs!

Sadly, the iPhone still gives me the annoying airplane mode nag screen

.

Little Bean · #15 07-20-2009, 06:56 AM

Would love to know the final outcome of Iphone 3gs charging in 09 Mini's. Don't want a cigarette plug adapter otherwise loose my radar detector. What to do? Anyone know if the new 3gs will work through bluetooth for music in the cars?

**schatzy62** · #16 07-20-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Bean

Would love to know the final outcome of Iphone 3gs charging in 09 Mini's. Don't want a cigarette plug adapter otherwise loose my radar detector. What to do? Anyone know if the new 3gs will work through bluetooth for music in the cars?

Bluetooth in most cars is only for phone use music is NOT handled by bluetooth in MINI or BMW's

chowgregory · #17 08-12-2009, 12:12 PM

I bought my new clubman last month and trying to play music from iPhone 3G S, but it is not working. It keeps saying "this accessory is not made for iPhone". I don't know what's going on. Dose anybody know why?

Forgot to tell I use Y cable that come with the car.

markusw · #18 08-12-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowgregory

I bought my new clubman last month and trying to play music from iPhone 3G S, but it is not working. It keeps saying "this accessory is not made for iPhone". I don't know what's going on. Dose anybody know why?

Forgot to tell I use Y cable that come with the car.

Plug it in and ignore the "this accessory is not made for iPhone" message.
Press the audio button on the car's radio and it should give you the choice of Tuner, CD, and IPOD. (if ipod doesn't show up, something isn't plugged in)
Select IPOD and the car will go into the ipod menu (and start playing music).
Select the song you want to play.

chowgregory · #19 08-12-2009, 12:40 PM

Thank...I will try that.

markusw · #20 08-12-2009, 12:42 PM

If it brings up the airplane mode message, just select "No"

chowgregory · #21 08-12-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markusw

If it brings up the airplane mode message, just select "No"

I just tried, but it's still not working. It didn't even show the iPod. I don't know if it is my iPhone problems or the car problems.

markusw · #22 08-12-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowgregory

I just tried, but it's still not working. It didn't even show the iPod. I don't know if it is my iPhone problems or the car problems.

What options did it show you when you pressed the Audio button on the car's Radio?

chowgregory · #23 08-12-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markusw

What options did it show you when you pressed the Audio button on the car's Radio?

It shows Tuner/CD/USB/AUX

When I plugged in iPhone, the USB showed empty.

**schatzy62** · #24 08-12-2009, 02:41 PM

Without the iPhone connected pressing the audio button should show

TUNER - CD - USB - AUX

When you plug in the iPhone it should change to

TUNER - CD - IPOD

If this does not happen what does the screen say, is it

TUNER - CD - USB (with AUX no longer displayed)

If that is the case then it is probably a setting in you iPhone. Sound like it is set up for MASS STORAGE and is thus being recognized as a hard drive not an iPhone/iPod.

it could also be a problem with the MINI "Y-Cable".

Also when testing it make sure it is fully charged so that a charging problem does no mess things up either.

chowgregory · #25 08-12-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzy62

Without the iPhone connected pressing the audio button should show

TUNER - CD - USB - AUX

When you plug in the iPhone it should change to

TUNER - CD - IPOD

If this does not happen what does the screen say, is it

TUNER - CD - USB (with AUX no longer displayed)

If that is the case then it is probably a setting in you iPhone. Sound like it is set up for MASS STORAGE and is thus being recognized as a hard drive not an iPhone/iPod.

it could also be a problem with the MINI "Y-Cable".

Also when testing it make sure it is fully charged so that a charging problem does no mess things up either.

What's the setting for iPhone?

I have tried so many things but none of them worked.