C650 GT Power socket (s)

[Kim F]

Reading the manual, it says the power socket in the front left stowage compartment is not suitable for chargers. Can I safely assume this means for connecting a charger to charge the bike? Rather than me charging my phone from said socket ?

It also mentions charge only from the extra socket in the rear stowage compartment - Can I assume this is for charging the bike - but stuffed if I can find said socket under the seat in any case

 

[Guud Stuff]

The socket underseat is prewired but not installed by default.
To charge the bikes battery you should install a battery tender lead. Some dealers already install one just check for the lead mine was hanging there above front wheel to the left (when facing bike)

I have charged my bluetooth from socket in glove box no ill effect. Hopefully if i m wrong someone will jump in

 

[bicyclenut]

I’ve charged 2 phones, battery packs, Garmin InReach, and other small electronics with a double USB adapter on rides with no problems. The C650GT has a relatively large output from the alternator/generator compared to many bikes, up there close to a RT1200 and K1600.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TwoPort]

I use the tiny battery tender to charge through the socket and it's never had a problem. Like bicyclenut I've also used a 4x USB lighter device to charge iphones with no problem. I also use it with the tiny stop-n-go plugger charger with no problem. I did blow the fuse once when I tried to use a larger auto type charger on that accessory.

 

[exavid]

It's possible there might be an English-German language problem in the book. I wouldn't use the socket in the cubby to do any high amperage charging of the bike's battery. There might be a problem with the bike's CAN BUS system.
I mounted a coaxial 12V socket on the plastic on the lower part of the handlebar cover and wired it directly to the battery with a 10A fuse. I used it to plug in my Gerbing heated gear as well as a GPS. It can't cause any problem with the CAN BUS other than throwing a battery short fault in the OBDII which really doesn't hurt anything. It happens because the BUS system doesn't know what's causing the draw on the battery since direct wiring the socket isn't monitored.

 

[augerlips]

Okay, sorry to drag this one back up, however, my Owners Manual makes reference to a mythical under seat 12 VDC power socket on my 2016 C650GT.

Where - specifically - under the seat should one be looking in order to locate said socket, and/or where should it be located if I have to install one myself? (Your photos of the location would be appreciated.)

 

[KeithQ]

Curious here as well for my 2020 GT. And also wondering why someone thought they could charge their bike's battery from the pocket USB charger, which is attached to the same battery!? Or did I read some of the above comments wrongly?

 

[augerlips]

Forum member Delray indicated to me that the under seat power socket would be located adjacent to the under seat LED light in European models but not installed in North American models.

 

[mjnorris]

They were not installed on us models but there was a connector for a socket to be installed. I did have one installed in my two successive 2013s but when I finally went to get one for my 2019 it was not listed as an accessory. When the dealer looked for a 2013 listing they are no longer listed. This disappoints me as I like to plug in my tablet when I’m running errands to keep it charged. That meanest will have to run a charging cable from the left glove box cigarette adapter outlet to under the seat.

 

[KeithQ]

They were not installed on us models but there was a connector for a socket to be installed. I did have one installed in my two successive 2013s but when I finally went to get one for my 2019 it was not listed as an accessory. When the dealer looked for a 2013 listing they are no longer listed. This disappoints me as I like to plug in my tablet when I’m running errands to keep it charged. That meanest will have to run a charging cable from the left glove box cigarette adapter outlet to under the seat.

Does not sound fun to me.

 

[augerlips]

Project update - I paid the requisite bucks for the OEM DIN socket (P/N 61 34 7 694 306) from Max BMW. The pre-wired power socket electrical connector is located behind the rear right exterior upper trim panel, and close to the under seat LED assembly on my '2016 C650GT.

The hidden plastic electrical connector itself is specifically keyed to the DIN power socket that I purchased (of course); one could install a standard power socket with a bit of splicing / soldering.

The final assembly is installed just behind the interior LED light under the seat. Once the aforementioned rear right panel is removed, get out the yoga mat and look underneath for a round plastic knock out. Remove the knockout / dremel off the rough edges and position the socket in place / connect the plug.

All that remains is to trim the interior carpet insert to allow for the new socket, and you're done. Note - on my 2016 machine, this plug is always hot / active, so caveat emptor.

 

[justscootin]

Back in 2012 when I got my scooter I cut the wires and spliced my own usb and a charge port under the seat. The best part is I have used it maybe a half dozen times.

As for using either the glove box outlet or under seat socket for charging the bike the wires are to small and will destroy them in time

 

[mjnorris]

The socket underseat is prewired but not installed by default.
To charge the bikes battery you should install a battery tender lead. Some dealers already install one just check for the lead mine was hanging there above front wheel to the left (when facing bike)

I have charged my bluetooth from socket in glove box no ill effect. Hopefully if i m wrong someone will jump in

I had the under seat socket installed on my 2013. When I went to the dealership to get one installed on my 2019 it was not an option.

 

[wspollack]

I had the under seat socket installed on my 2013. When I went to the dealership to get one installed on my 2019 it was not an option.

If you folks want to add a standard BMW/Powerlet/DIN/Hella/John Deere socket to your 600/650 Beemers, it's not that hard, if you're comfortable working with a drill and removing and reinstalling the bodywork.

I speak from experience, because I've been doing this since 2007 to every bike I've owned, e.g. ...

2007 Burgman 650:



2012 Victory Cross Country Tour:



2022 C 400 GT:



2023 Meteor 350:



(I have a bunch of pics and captions and links in my C 400 GT gallery on this mod, starting with this particular image: https://billanddot.com/C400GT/#S-45 .)

I've been doing the under-left-thigh placement all along, because in my opinion that's the optimum place for an outlet for a heated-gear cord. And I also use it for a smart-charger hookup in the garage, and for possible use of on-bike air compressor.

But more to the point here, it seems to me that anyone can certainly drill a hole somewhere in the underseat bodywork of a scooter, instead of my outside placement. And then all you need to do is connect the hot and ground wires from the spring-loaded-covered Powerlet (or BMW, or whoever's name is on the socket) to the battery. Just make sure that the hot side has an in-line fuse -- say, 15 amps -- and that you use 14- or 16-gauge wire.

And then, with the proper compatible plug ends, you can charge a laptop computer, what have you, under the seat.

This makes the whole set-up independent of a CANbus ... and the bike's controls, so you have to remember to eventually unplug whatever you're charging, once you turn off the bike. This isn't an issue for me in terms of any of my three uses -- smart-charging, heated gear, or air compressor -- because it's obvious what's going on (and you can't dismount with a heated liner still plugged in, or you won't get very far) -- but if a laptop's being charged, you'll have to remember to unplug it.

 

[steveknight603]

Project update - I paid the requisite bucks for the OEM DIN socket (P/N 61 34 7 694 306) from Max BMW. The pre-wired power socket electrical connector is located behind the rear right exterior upper trim panel, and close to the under seat LED assembly on my '2016 C650GT.

The hidden plastic electrical connector itself is specifically keyed to the DIN power socket that I purchased (of course); one could install a standard power socket with a bit of splicing / soldering.

The final assembly is installed just behind the interior LED light under the seat. Once the aforementioned rear right panel is removed, get out the yoga mat and look underneath for a round plastic knock out. Remove the knockout / dremel off the rough edges and position the socket in place / connect the plug.

All that remains is to trim the interior carpet insert to allow for the new socket, and you're done. Note - on my 2016 machine, this plug is always hot / active, so caveat emptor.

Do you have any pictures?