[Ligkonakos]

As you all know, I'm a new rider so technical motorcycle knowledge isn't my thing (at the moment!).

I'd like to ask if someone can show me with a picture where the electrical socket is? I read the manual that it's on the left side near the spring but I can't seem to find it. I can only find the detachable plastic cap but not the socket itself. For reference, I will need to know for future accessories like GPS, phone charger, etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[Glencoeman]

The electric socket is an optional extra which does go in the hole where the plastic cap is and does not come with the bike when bought new. The socket is the same as the part for the F800GS so it is readily available. My dealer said that the socket was not available yet - the salesperson couldn't be bothered to check if sockets from other BMW bikes would fit. If you look above the mounting hole, you will see the lead for the socket zip tied to the wiring harness.

 

[Ligkonakos]

So if I understood correctly, I should be able to buy a socket at my dealer?

Unfortunately because I'm at work right now I cannot check it.

 

[Glencoeman]

So if I understood correctly, I should be able to buy a socket at my dealer?

Unfortunately because I'm at work right now I cannot check it.

Yes, you can buy a new one. Get your dealer to check the part number of the G310R socket is the same as the F800GS. Why not try and get a used socket from a motorcycle breaker as I did as it cost me less than half what a new one would cost.

 

[Ligkonakos]

Good to know, thanks a lot bro; much appreciated!

 

[nodsman]

I've managed to get the socket and i know where to stick it but they have managed to do a good job of hiding the plug. What does the plug look like and where would it be on the bike ? I have the sneaky suspicion that they have cable tied it so far out of the way that panels have to be removed first according to Murphy's law.

 

[Glencoeman]

The plug, which has an end cover (which you remove) to keep it clean until connected, is zip tied to the wiring harness above and left of the socket hole on the frame. I had to re route my plug as the nice man who built the bike had routed it up so it couldn't reach the socket.

 

[nodsman]

The plug, which has an end cover (which you remove) to keep it clean until connected, is zip tied to the wiring harness above and left of the socket hole on the frame. I had to re route my plug as the nice man who built the bike had routed it up so it couldn't reach the socket.

I finally found mine after taking the Tank cover off. the ******* was well hidden and not the five minute job as per worship manual.:grin2:

 

[Eccles]

Here's a pic looking up up under the rear of the tank on the left side. I gather the connector is zip tied to the existing loom (circled, the plug socket hole just below). So if you can reach under, no need to remove the tank unless you want to run some wires.

 

[porth]

Does anyone know what type of plug it is and where I can buy a corresponding plug? I want to install a usb charging port, I'll probably use the front auxiliary plug (behind the front light).

 

[ThugTuga]

It's a CanBus plug. You can buy something like this: Cables for Garmin Nuvi series : Q~Power CanBus for BMW, USB female

 

[MichaelJ]

Does anyone know what type of plug it is...

Being BMW, it's undoubtedly a Powerlet socket. A bit smaller than a cigarette lighter socket and it also locks in place and carries more current than a lighter socket.

Note that Powerlet sells them for about half of what BMW does. And you can get them cheaper yet with a bit of shopping.

 

[BryanC]

I can confirm what MichaelJ stated is correct. I purchased the power socket from here:
61347694306- BMW C600 Sport- Sierra BMW Online- BMW Additional Accessory Socket

$40.00 US plus shipping. It fits perfectly in the metal support ring after removing the cheap plastic hole cover. the connector is zip tied to the wire harness just above the mounting location of this power socket. Find the zip tie, cut the zip tie, plug it into the back of this socket after you insert the socket into the metal support ring and thread the retaining nut in place. Done!

I was expecting a "cigarette lighter" socket but got this "powerlet style" socket instead... bummer. For me to use it with what accessories I have would require another adapter. This being my first BMW, I did not know that BMW uses this odd ball power socket style.

 

[porth]

Getting a usb socket, check out item 252838150600 on ebay, will fit this in the gap next to the key barrel, will also use a t section to join onto the aux power behind the headlight, check out item 262822283733 on ebay for the t section. Will also fit connectors between the fuse and the usb socket, check out item 262822322683 on ebay. All up about A$34 for a very discrete solution within 20cm of my phone mount.

 

[MichaelJ]

I was expecting a "cigarette lighter" socket but got this "powerlet style" socket instead... bummer. For me to use it with what accessories I have would require another adapter. This being my first BMW, I did not know that BMW uses this odd ball power socket style.

Powerlet is better for bikes as it locks in place and won't vibrate out. Adapters are available, but yeah - it can be a pain.

Were it me, I'd change my bits over to Powerlet plugs and get one of these when I needed to use the widget with a standard lighter socket.

 

[MichaelJ]

It's a CanBus plug.

The G310 does not appear to be CanBus. I'd verify.

 

[Glencoeman]

I can confirm what MichaelJ stated is correct. I purchased the power socket from here:
61347694306- BMW C600 Sport- Sierra BMW Online- BMW Additional Accessory Socket

$40.00 US plus shipping. It fits perfectly in the metal support ring after removing the cheap plastic hole cover. the connector is zip tied to the wire harness just above the mounting location of this power socket. Find the zip tie, cut the zip tie, plug it into the back of this socket after you insert the socket into the metal support ring and thread the retaining nut in place. Done!

I was expecting a "cigarette lighter" socket but got this "powerlet style" socket instead... bummer. For me to use it with what accessories I have would require another adapter. This being my first BMW, I did not know that BMW uses this odd ball power socket style.

Actually, BMW have been using these sockets since the 1970s (almost 50 years!), also used by other manufacturers as well, so they are hardly "odd ball". The correct name is DIN (or Hella style) plugs and sockets. They are the commonest type of accessory plug/socket for motorcycles in Europe by a long way (as they are smaller and neater than the cigarette type socket). They are also extensively used by truckers to power electrical gadgets and are commonly found for sale in truck stop shops where you can find different types of plugs for them as well.

 

[porth]

I've given up trying to find a female plug to match the bmw plug, I'm just going to t splice into the cable behind the bmw plug.

 

[Glencoeman]

I've given up trying to find a female plug to match the bmw plug, I'm just going to t splice into the cable behind the bmw plug.

You may be able to get a used part from a bike breakers (in the UK, Motorworks usually have used parts - I got my socket from them). The socket which plugs into the G310 wiring harness connector is the same as on other modern BMWs such as F800GS and is not only for the G310.
https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=10&M=72&Ct=HA&SbCt=BA_10_72_HA_65
Unfortunately, the postage costs may be too expensive to send to Australia from the UK - you can check the cost on Motorworks website under FAQs.

 

[MichaelJ]

I've given up trying to find a female plug to match the bmw plug, I'm just going to t splice into the cable behind the bmw plug.

You obviously haven't tried very hard. This will plug directly on the wiring harness connector.

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cllena-Motorcycle-Powerlet-Socket-adapter/dp/B01GDUXPCK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1521059534&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=powerlet&psc=1