BMW Mobility Kit - Compressor

[OzJustin]

Seeking some advice guys. I went to use the compressor in my mobility kit for the first time the other day and plugged it in to the the cigarette lighter. It worked for about 10 seconds then lost pressure and wouldn't turn on again. I tried it in my wife's Toyota and same thing.

I took the compressor into my local BMW service area thinking it was stuffed but they tested and told me it works perfectly but pulls 15A so likely blew the cigarette fuses (10A apparently) in our two cars. He suggested I connect the compressor directly to the battery via alligator clips/jumper leads. For other users of this kit do you have to do that?

I find it surprising that BMW sell a kit with a cigarette connector that cannot be used for their own cars...

Some silly questions:
- Can someone explain how to connect the compressor. Is it one alligator clip connected to the cigarette cable on the compressor and the other end alligator clip to the positive terminal in the engine bay? Any particular thick/thin cable needed?
- Could I just replace the 10A cigarette fuse with a 15A one or will this create a fire danger?

[wht125i]

Following this thread.

Which cig lighter did you use? In ash tray area, or underarm rest?

[Chandon]

theres also a cig lighter in the passenger footwell area near/inside the glovebox if im not mistaken

[OzJustin]

I used both the cigarette lighter in the ash tray area and under arm-rest area. I also tried a cigarette lighter in the ash tray area of my wife's Toyota. Anyone else having problems?

[fly_inverted]

I have a genuine mobility kit and I used it for about the 100th time on the weekend. First in the cig lighter in the boot then in the ash tray. Never had a single problem. My thought would be to have a real electrician check the compressor or if it's under warranty, demand a replacement. No way on earth should u have to connect it direct to the battery. That's madness.

[OzJustin]

Thanks for the confirmation fly. I thought it was a bit odd. Next step is for me to replace the fuses to see if it makes any difference.

Can anyone tell me which number(s) in the fuse box diagram correspond to the two cigarette fuses?

[totti84]

Should be fuse # 08

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by totti84

Should be fuse # 08

Thanks totti. If that's the case then BMW's argument is even weaker as no.8 should be a 20A fuse...

[totti84]

Originally Posted by OzJustin

Thanks totti. If that's the case then BMW's argument is even weaker as no.8 should be a 20A fuse...

It does sound like you have a faulty unit. Have you tried to power it up with another car?

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by totti84

It does sound like you have a faulty unit. Have you tried to power it up with another car?

Yes I tried it in my wife's Toyota. I then bought a cheap Supercheap compressor & tried that in both my BMW & wife's Toyota & it wouldn't work either (suspect all cigarette fuses blown by that point). Will try new fuses to see if I can get either compressor working.

[sparoz]

Did you have your car turn on? The cigarette lighter only have power to the car for short period after it is shut down. I used mine all the time and never had a problem.

[OzJustin]

Quick update. Replaced the old 20A fuse with a new one & tried both compressors with the car on. They worked perfectly. The BMW owner's manual says I should be able to use the compressor with just the accessories on but I'm not too keen to try that again. Will just turn my car on in future. Good to know I've got a working compressor to pair with my Dynaplug kit.