I'm thinking of buying a Dension Gateway 500 for my 2004 S500. I was planning on removing the CD changer so I can use the CDC's power source and fiber optic connection for the Dension. (I won't need the CDC anymore as I will do all my listening via my iPod.)
Since the Dension allows an iPod to be controlled via my Comand unit (as well as the steering wheel) and the track/artist info will display on the Comand, I am assuming I won't need to run any wires from the trunk to the cabin...the iPod will simply lay in the trunk, conneced to the GW500.
Am I missing anything here? It seems like it would be an easy install. And if I wanted to keep the CDC, would that add a lot of complexity to the installation?
The Gateway 500 does not require physical removal or even disconnection of the CDC. In most models of Mercedes having D2B or MOST fiber optics buses (the GW 500 is a fiber optic device, and there are models for each bus), you can retain the CDC, and switch between it and the CDC. In some models (those with the CDC physically built into the head unit), installation of the Gateway 500 will disable the CDC - but it does not have to be physically removed or disconnected.
Your '04 has a MOST fiber optics bus. The CDC can remain and can be used. The cables that run from the GW 500 hardware to your COMAND are not long enough to allow it to be installed in the trunk, where your CDC is.
Thanks Skylaw. I did read through your excellent writeups but didn't see an answer to a specific question -- that is, I was hoping not to have to take out the Comand head unit to install the GW500. I thought if I replaced the CDC with the GW500, I could just basically swap them and use the same wiring (power and fiber) the CDC is using.
Since I am going to try this myself, the less I have to disassemble, the better!
Taking out the COMAND unit is not that difficult. I had never done it before the installation I documented. More difficult were the changes in the trunk, but I think those are documented pretty well. They shouldn't present an insurmountable obstacle, and making those changes is a one-time thing.
I cannot answer whether the approach you are considering will work. However, the cables you need in order to connect the iPod, the AUX, and the USB inputs to the Gateway 500 box are not long enough to go reach from the console area to the trunk. You would have to mount your iPod where you may not be able to reach it, which may be OK for you. Also, the RCA AUX connector also has the selector switch, which is used to get to some of the setup menus - so you'd have to operate the switch in the trunk, then get into the car to make selections on COMAND. This could be required on a number of occasions, including doing it after firmware updates.
The Gateway 500 does not require physical removal or even disconnection of the CDC. In most models of Mercedes having D2B or MOST fiber optics buses (the GW 500 is a fiber optic device, and there are models for each bus), you can retain the CDC, and switch between it and the CDC. In some models (those with the CDC physically built into the head unit), installation of the Gateway 500 will disable the CDC - but it does not have to be physically removed or disconnected.
Your '04 has a MOST fiber optics bus. The CDC can remain and can be used. The cables that run from the GW 500 hardware to your COMAND are not long enough to allow it to be installed in the trunk, where your CDC is.
Welcome to the forum, and you will find the search tool to be your friend.
..............You definitely know more about this topic than I do, but the new gateway 500 for D2B allows you to keep and use your CD changer. There is switch with which you can switch from CD to IPOD or neutral. Switching to neutral restors your Fiberoptic loop to fatory specs when you take your car to the dealer for service. You can then switch back afterwards.
Thanks Skylaw. I did read through your excellent writeups but didn't see an answer to a specific question -- that is, I was hoping not to have to take out the Comand head unit to install the GW500. I thought if I replaced the CDC with the GW500, I could just basically swap them and use the same wiring (power and fiber) the CDC is using.
Since I am going to try this myself, the less I have to disassemble, the better!
Yes you can use the approach you discussed: unplug the optical cable from the CDC and plug into the dension and then wire 12v and gnd to the CDC harness. As skylaw noted the selector/programming switch will be in the trunk but if you do not mind then its not a problem and would make for a quickie install.
Thank you for your comment, Ted. I do know that with the Gateway 500 hardware versions 1 and 2, (both D2B and MOST) some Mercedes models could not retain use of the CDC - those with the CDC built into the head unit. This is even more the case with some other brands of cars.
However, the Mercedes models with separate CDCs - which is most of them - could retain use of the CDC just as you described, with both the D2B and MOST versions. Are you indicating that the version 3 hardware overcomes the loss of the CDC in all cases (for Mercedes) now?
Also, you bring up another good point. Dension points out in its instructions that leaving the Gateway 500 selected during maintenance can cause improper readouts during system checks and troubleshooting. I have no idea what the improper readouts are. The mode selector switches the Gateway 500 out of the fiber optic loop and replaces it with the CDC again so that readouts are normal. Removing the CDC entirely would likely render that option impossible.
Thank you for your comment, Ted. I do know that with the Gateway 500 hardware versions 1 and 2, (both D2B and MOST) some Mercedes models could not retain use of the CDC - those with the CDC built into the head unit. This is even more the case with some other brands of cars.
However, the Mercedes models with separate CDCs - which is most of them - could retain use of the CDC just as you described, with both the D2B and MOST versions. Are you indicating that the version 3 hardware overcomes the loss of the CDC in all cases (for Mercedes) now?
Also, you bring up another good point. Dension points out in its instructions that leaving the Gateway 500 selected during maintenance can cause improper readouts during system checks and troubleshooting. I have no idea what the improper readouts are. The mode selector switches the Gateway 500 out of the fiber optic loop and replaces it with the CDC again so that readouts are normal. Removing the CDC entirely would likely render that option impossible.
.........I do not know how version 3 handles the CDC in those head units that have built in CDC's. My system is like most Mercs and has a separate CDC in the trunk.
Linear Mode
