Here is a thread where someone seems to have solved the lack of power in the MINI USB port by using a USB splitter and a cigarette socket to USB car charger.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2814907

 

Not sure if it's come up in this thread or not (all these similar iPod threads get confusing!) but the MINI's USB port has been reported as a low-power device USB port, which should make it rated at a minimum of 100mA.

USB devices are supposed to connect at the low power draw first, and then specifically request an additional power draw if it's supported, but Minis have the USB to serial converter between the USB port and the iPod. Perhaps it's the serial converter chip in the cord that's making the additional power level request and supplying a fixed current level to the dock connector that's correct for older iPhones/Pods but the 3GS requires more?

I couldn't track down any info on what each Apple device requires for current when USB charging... Does connecting directly to the car using a standard USB cable charge a 3GS?

 

I mentioned this above...my 3GS charges from the cable when I attach it to my MacBook Pro, so it does not appear that the cable is the problem.

 

Ah- sorry, I was responding from the e-mail notice and missed your post. That seems pretty definitive that it's just short on current from the port then. I wonder what the 3GS requires and what the car's actual limit is?

 

I couldn't find if anyone tried this yet but does plugging in your Apple white iPhone usb connector Cable to your Mini charge the phone?

 

Good idea. I will try that.

 

Whether it charges or not, I don't think it will connect properly to the radio for listing and control. You also wont get any audio, unless you connect the headphone jack to the AUX. So, there really isn't much point in trying the Apple cable.

 

I have been away for a few and missed some interesting discussions. It looks like the issue is boiling down to the Mini USB port, Y-Cable or possibly the computer. This is interesting because the Mini dealer told me a few weeks back that since Apple change the OS it could have something to do with the new OS 3.0. I personally find that unlikely since these seems to be more of a hardware issue.

I have posted my question and a link to this thread to the Mini Owner's Lounge and beside a few comments no real answers yet. I have my fingers crossed.

 

I'll have to check again, but my iPhone 3GS won't charge using the usb cable that came with it - when connected to our R57 MINI. I am going to try this bluetooth audio option though to see how that works. I have the 6NE option and am wishing I had just paid the extra 100 dollars to get the smartphone option. At the time I was finalizing my specs for the car, I wasn't "completely sure" I was going to get an iPhone.

I would also like to find out how to get more charging power from the MINI while being able to control the audio on the iPhone through the SATNAV.

 

I was just curious and trying to figure out another way to isolate the issue. Sounds like it's definitely the Mini's USB port not providing enough power though.

Does this same issue occur for those of you that have the iPod connector in the secret compartment?

 

From the evidence so far, the most likely possibility is that the MINI's USB port doesn't put out enough power. The MINI documentation says the USB will charge devices, up to 500mA maximum. What is the requirement for an iPhone?

Here's a goofy workaround that may work. Some USB external hard drives use a USB Y power cable -- one branch is for USB+power, the other branch is just to draw extra power from a second USB port. Apply the same principle here. Get a USB Y power cable like this: http://www.amazon.com/USB-Power-Adap.../dp/B000JIOHDE

Plug one end into the USB port and the other end into a cigarette lighter USB power adapter, then plug the MINI Y cable into the output side. You'll have the pleasure of using two Y cables at the same time!

 

Update on the native USB iPHONE cable. It didn't charge my iphone when it was connected to the R57 USB port.

I think the closest option is to go ahead and get the (no smartphone prep) cradle (part number ends in 038) and pray for an updated Y-Cable.

Any difference in cradles sold by MINI vs BMW? Shouldn't be right? there is only one MINI dealer near me in the Washington DC area and it's Sterling MINI.

 

The MINI iPhone cradle IS the BMW cradle. There is no MINI branded one.

 

Roger that! Wanted to make sure.

 

Well I placed my order last week for the ipod/bluetooth option. I have an 2g ipod touch. I am not a cell phone fan but the motorola cell that my company gives me is listed to work.

I'll test it with my ipod and post back when I get the car.

 

Anybody try this on the 3GS in the MINI?

 

I have this cable on order, and will be trying it later this week.

 

I also ordered the Y-cable too and hopefully should get it this week. It looks likely to work with the Mini Y-Cable but it will look like spaghetti. I hope that a better work around is in the near future from Mini. I will post back when I get the cable.

 

It's highly possible that the problem is not enough current on the USB port.

Try plugging a removable HD formatted with FAT32 on there, and see what happens... nothing. There's just not enough power for my own unit. I wouldn't be surprised to see this is the real issue.

If this is the case, then no Y cable will fix it, unless it taps into the cigarrette lighter socket, too. Or they change something in the USB interface.

 

Just to add to the list:

I picked up my 2009 MCS yesterday with the y-cable and bluetooth, but without nav.

My iPhone 3GS with latest software updates connects great and everything seems to work, even with 2500+ songs and 1200+ contacts.

Haven't figured out voice dialing yet, but I've only had the car for one night. :-)

 

Preliminary tests are

 

problem with this set up is the audio jack from the y split cable. If i am not mistaken, the bluetooth for the phone part should still list all your contacts but you need the usb plug for ipod functions with the audio jack plug. i could be wrong here .

 

Ok sounds great but does it charge the Iphone 3GS ?

 

With this cable, everything is still plugged in... you just have an extra usb connector that you can put in your cigarette lighter socket. The cable is a bit longer than what you need, but not so long that the excess can't be stuffed in that little cubby hole under the toggle switches.

It's only been a couple days, and I haven't driven that much this weekend (with a low-battery iPhone anyway), but so far it does look to charge the iPhone 3GS. I'll know more after my hour commute this morning -- should be enough time to charge it up full from it's present 82%.

Update: by the time I left for work, the battery was down in the 60s... one hour of driving (and podcast listening) later, it was charged to 96%. So, yes, it does charge with this cable... not super fast, but certainly *much* better than the 2-3% charge I was seeing before (and with no charging error messages this time). I recommend this cable to any MINI owners with an iPhone 3GS who don't want to use an armrest cradle.

 

Just to clarify my own experience - the Y-cable doesn't seem to be charging my iPhone 3GS, but it doesn't seem to lose power when plugged in either. I made a three-hour trip, talking on the phone via bluetooth for about half of the drive, listening to the iPhone's music the other half, and the phone battery neither drained nor charged.

The worst part of the Y-cable is that it's really too short to use the iPhone's GPS capabilities, because of the viewing angles required.