XSeries-forum

Hi guys.

I have an E53 2004 with two cig lighter type power outlets in the boot.

Can anyone tell me if these are permanently live or if they switch off with the ignition.

I bought a rechargeable 5in1 compressor/Jump starter and I would like to trickle charge from these sockets when the engine is running.

The easiest way for me to check of course would be to plug something in, but I don't have anything.

They were permanently live on my 2004 built E53, unlike my 2011 X6 in which they go off with the key removal.

Really helpful if you have a car fridge/cooler to try to keep running whilst shopping! I don't know why they made that particular change, but it's annoying. I used to keep my Dragon Light charged via the X5 sockets as it takes about 12 hours.

In case you're wondering, a Dragon Light is not what comes up on most search engines! It's the type of portable lamp the Police and other Agencies use when looking for people. Very powerful and uses 12V dryfit batteries.

Thanks for the confirmation X5Sport. Guess I will have to recharge every eight weeks as recommended. Bet my ass it will be week seven if I ever need to use it.

[quote=""ChewingBacca""]Hi guys.

I have an E53 2004 with two cig lighter type power outlets in the boot.

Can anyone tell me if these are permanently live or if they switch off with the ignition.

I bought a rechargeable 5in1 compressor/Jump starter and I would like to trickle charge from these sockets when the engine is running.

The easiest way for me to check of course would be to plug something in, but I don't have anything.[/quote]

what jump start did you buy? regards

The one in the link below from Maplins. My compressor packed in and this looked good value.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/5-in-1-jumpstar ... sor-388125

A bit if an impulse purchase. If I had read the reviews I would have voided this product.

I'll see how it goes.

Update, returned due to two faults. A problem with the lamp and the compressor would not shut down. I searched the net and there are way too many bad reviews about this model to ignore.

Then there is my lack of knowledge, this is supposedly 17aH (this claim is debatable) and we need around double that to start the X5 Diesel from what I read. So I'll keep looking.

If it helps I've got through 3 of these in as many years, I personally don't rate them. All three had air compressors that broke, and the units themselves were not exactly 'heavy duty' with cracks all over the place and bits hanging off from general use around the garage!

My bros work have a few and they are far superior to the ones I had (which were a lot like that maplin one) but I'm told theirs were pretty expensive! buy cheap, buy twice...or thrice.

I also couldn't start my X5 off my girlfriends vw beetle after I drained the battery the other day by leaving the interior lights on, I had to bring in the big guns (my 3 series diesel) and I'm pretty sure that none of those 3 compressors I bought would even start the 3 series let alone the X5!

Thanks for the info n1k85.

This one rated at 40AH gets good reviews and testimonies from users starting big engines across the net. It has an inverter but unfortunately does not have the compressor.

My battery was new last year so I shouldn't have a problem. I only "nipped in for" a compressor.

Now I like the idea of an all-in-one that I could also throw in the boot of my wife's or son's car when they are travelling.