Only 1 12v socket in the car. 2 into 1 splitter?

AWcoupe · 01-18-2023, 03:05 PM

One big negative for me is there only seems to be just the 1 12v socket in front of the gear selector in the 2023. Anybody try one these nifty looking splitters? This would solve my problem, as I ran a radar detector and a dashcam off the 2 12v sockets that were in my 2015. The second one was in the rear seat climate control. I just snaked the wire up between the passenger seat and the console for the dashcam. I'm just a little concerned about the power draw for the 2 devices through the 1 12v. I don't think those 2 devices are pulling any serious current so probably no worries?
Thought. Maybe I should go out to the car and look for another 12v. A quick glance around didn't put one in my field of vision, but my eyes aren't what they used to be and I've only had the car for a week. LOL

TJZ67201 · 01-18-2023, 04:01 PM

Used one similar to this in my old Crown Vic and it did work, powered 2 devices..

But would you consider hardwiring the radar detector? I have a mirror tap installed and it works great. Shuts off 5 mins after leaving the car (car goes into its idle state)

AWcoupe · 01-18-2023, 04:51 PM

I've thought about investigating a blend mount for the radar detector. I think they offer the wiretap kit off the mirror. I've seen videos of peeps powering the detector off the mirror but knowing me, I'd manage to short out the whole car somehow. LOL Plus I don't even know if the 2023 mirrors are the same as previous models. Example, no compass. Is there even juice running up to the mirror? I'd guess yes, because the "clown nose" under the mirror does flash when the car is locked. I'm guessing that this is for what BMW calls "Active Guard" which I guess is an alarm system that came as a standard feature as per my window sticker.
I just noticed that you have a 2023 so it looks like I just found the answer to my concerns!

TJZ67201 · 01-18-2023, 05:10 PM

Yep yep! I did it on my 23 with iDrive 8 and it works flawlessly with my BlendMount. Super simple setup, hardest part was separating the 2 plastic pieces surrounding the mirror base. For reference, this is what I purchased for my Uniden R7:

Xislet 15" Radar Detector Hardwire Power Cord Mirror Wire Plug Tap Compatible with Escort Valentine One Uniden Beltronics with Inline Fuse Mount RJ11 - Set of 3 https://a.co/d/9UcYkBc

AWcoupe · 01-19-2023, 11:26 AM

Nice. I have a Uniden R3 and I was checking out the blendmount on their website. I have to tell you, I don't know how comfy I would be cracking open the plastic casing for the mirror and poking around with a wiretap kit, so I ordered the adapter pictured above for now.
I know some peeps aren't a fan of how the iDrive8 screen is mounted to the dash but I'm able to snake the power cord around the passenger side and behind and up to the detector mounted to the suction cup and it's pretty clean. On the 2015 I just had the cord draped right over the dash and iDrive screen up to the unit. Appreciate the info and enjoy your awesome ride. This car is insane.....

AWcoupe · 02-01-2023, 08:54 PM

Picked up this splitter. Real head scratcher here. It doesn’t work in the BMW but when I plug it into the 12v in my Mustang it lights up. WTF?
I have it pushed all the way in, I’ve tried twisting it to make sure it’s making contact. I don’t get it. I plug my radar detector cord into the BMW 12v socket and it works fine. Bummer

jpcoop · 02-02-2023, 02:12 AM

Some 12v plugs with slightly nonstandard dimensions don’t work in BMW sockets. Can probably fix it with a clunky adapter.

Of course it would be a whole lot easier and nicer to just install a MirrorTap for the radar detector. Takes under ten minutes to install.

01-18-2023, 03:05 PM	#1
AWcoupe Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bridgeport CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M240 [0.00] 2015 BMW 235xi [0.00]	Only 1 12v socket in the car. 2 into 1 splitter? One big negative for me is there only seems to be just the 1 12v socket in front of the gear selector in the 2023. Anybody try one these nifty looking splitters? This would solve my problem, as I ran a radar detector and a dashcam off the 2 12v sockets that were in my 2015. The second one was in the rear seat climate control. I just snaked the wire up between the passenger seat and the console for the dashcam. I'm just a little concerned about the power draw for the 2 devices through the 1 12v. I don't think those 2 devices are pulling any serious current so probably no worries? Thought. Maybe I should go out to the car and look for another 12v. A quick glance around didn't put one in my field of vision, but my eyes aren't what they used to be and I've only had the car for a week. LOL Attached Images __________________ 2023 BMW M240i 2015 BMW 235xi Alpine White, Coral Red Dakota.Traded 2009 BMW 328xi Alpine White-Traded
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01-18-2023, 04:01 PM	#2
TJZ67201 Captain 844 Rep 748 Posts Drives: '23 M240i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Used one similar to this in my old Crown Vic and it did work, powered 2 devices.. But would you consider hardwiring the radar detector? I have a mirror tap installed and it works great. Shuts off 5 mins after leaving the car (car goes into its idle state)
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01-18-2023, 04:51 PM	#3
AWcoupe Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bridgeport CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M240 [0.00] 2015 BMW 235xi [0.00]	I've thought about investigating a blend mount for the radar detector. I think they offer the wiretap kit off the mirror. I've seen videos of peeps powering the detector off the mirror but knowing me, I'd manage to short out the whole car somehow. LOL Plus I don't even know if the 2023 mirrors are the same as previous models. Example, no compass. Is there even juice running up to the mirror? I'd guess yes, because the "clown nose" under the mirror does flash when the car is locked. I'm guessing that this is for what BMW calls "Active Guard" which I guess is an alarm system that came as a standard feature as per my window sticker. I just noticed that you have a 2023 so it looks like I just found the answer to my concerns! __________________ 2023 BMW M240i 2015 BMW 235xi Alpine White, Coral Red Dakota.Traded 2009 BMW 328xi Alpine White-Traded
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01-18-2023, 05:10 PM	#4
TJZ67201 Captain 844 Rep 748 Posts Drives: '23 M240i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	Yep yep! I did it on my 23 with iDrive 8 and it works flawlessly with my BlendMount. Super simple setup, hardest part was separating the 2 plastic pieces surrounding the mirror base. For reference, this is what I purchased for my Uniden R7: Xislet 15" Radar Detector Hardwire Power Cord Mirror Wire Plug Tap Compatible with Escort Valentine One Uniden Beltronics with Inline Fuse Mount RJ11 - Set of 3 https://a.co/d/9UcYkBc
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-19-2023, 11:26 AM	#5
AWcoupe Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bridgeport CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M240 [0.00] 2015 BMW 235xi [0.00]	Nice. I have a Uniden R3 and I was checking out the blendmount on their website. I have to tell you, I don't know how comfy I would be cracking open the plastic casing for the mirror and poking around with a wiretap kit, so I ordered the adapter pictured above for now. I know some peeps aren't a fan of how the iDrive8 screen is mounted to the dash but I'm able to snake the power cord around the passenger side and behind and up to the detector mounted to the suction cup and it's pretty clean. On the 2015 I just had the cord draped right over the dash and iDrive screen up to the unit. Appreciate the info and enjoy your awesome ride. This car is insane..... __________________ 2023 BMW M240i 2015 BMW 235xi Alpine White, Coral Red Dakota.Traded 2009 BMW 328xi Alpine White-Traded
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02-01-2023, 08:54 PM	#6
AWcoupe Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 240i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bridgeport CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M240 [0.00] 2015 BMW 235xi [0.00]	Picked up this splitter. Real head scratcher here. It doesn’t work in the BMW but when I plug it into the 12v in my Mustang it lights up. WTF? I have it pushed all the way in, I’ve tried twisting it to make sure it’s making contact. I don’t get it. I plug my radar detector cord into the BMW 12v socket and it works fine. Bummer Attached Images __________________ 2023 BMW M240i 2015 BMW 235xi Alpine White, Coral Red Dakota.Traded 2009 BMW 328xi Alpine White-Traded
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02-02-2023, 02:12 AM	#7
jpcoop Lieutenant 364 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2022 M240i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: WA, USA iTrader: (0)	Some 12v plugs with slightly nonstandard dimensions don’t work in BMW sockets. Can probably fix it with a clunky adapter. Of course it would be a whole lot easier and nicer to just install a MirrorTap for the radar detector. Takes under ten minutes to install.
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