UK-C200

Posts: 578

Country:

Thanks: 38

Thanked 124 Times in 78 Posts

Gents -

So I'm back stateside, and the first project on the list was to install a Denison Gateway 500 in my SLK. I'd originally decided to install it in the passenger footwell with the AGW, but after reading the heat problems that others have experienced, I was having second thoughts.

The one complaint that the wife has is that the glovebox is useless with the changer installed. The GW500 allows you to leave the changer intact. Since we never use the changer, I'd decided to remove it completely.

The Denison unit is physically about 3/4 inch high, 4.5 inches long, and about 3 inches deep. Given the small size, I was thinking about just installing it in the glovebox in place of the changer.

In any event, removing the changer was going to be done anyway (and sorry, the wifey absconded with the camera while leaving me at home to "work" on the car..)

Removing the changer in an US car is a 5 minute task. Looking at the changer from the front, you see two small holes in the lower corners of the fascia. Insert a small screwdriver into these holes, and push away from the changer body. This releases the clips holding it on, and the cover lifts out. There is a second piece of covering fascia on the right side that cover the power and MOST cables. This also pops out.

The changer itself pulls straight out. There is a clip in the back (I'll take some pics later..) Remove the MOST fiber and power connections and you are done.

Looking at what I was left with after removing the changer, I realized just how easy a "glove box" install would be - power, MOST already there just makes it's too easy.

I'll post the part numbers for the power connector and pins later - they are the same ones that are used for the C series changer power, and I already had an extra set. Looking at the plug, the "black" wire (middle of the three) is the ground, and the brown/red is the +12 vdc. The yellow is the MOST wakeup, which the GW500 does not require.

After making a wiring harness, I plugged the MOST fiber in (CAR side as labeled by Denison), and tested the unit. Success!! Literally done!

I was now left with what would turn out to be the most time consuming part of the install - making things look nice.

I decided I was going to fabricate a "wall" to cover the various wires, and the Denison unit itself. Originally I was going to create a model with impact foam (the "thick/strong" Styrofoam used in packing high end electronics), and then use this to cut a balsa wood piece. I would finish up by covering it with black felt.

I also cut two foam pieces to "wedge" the Denison in place, fitting between the top of the glove box and the top of the Denison.

After cutting the foam to size, and testing the fit, I realized that it was more then strong enough to use. I covered it in black felt, using 3M spray glue. (use gloves - black felt is still stuck to my fingertips!!).

The following pictures show everything installed, and I may take everything apart later and take better pictures, but I seem to be incapable of taking a good picture "into" the glove box.

The Denison integration with the COMAND unit is great - it takes some getting used to, but even the wife has no problems at all after messing around with it for 30 minutes or so. Sound quality is what I expected - exactly the same volume as a CD playing, and as good as the quality of the recording on the iPod itself. It's easy to hear the difference between 128kbps and 320kbps recordings.

As you can (maybe..) see from the pictures, I'm left with about an inch more depth than is needed for the iPod to fit in the glove box, and enough room for the wife to toss her sunglasses and a few other bits and bobs as well.

Part numbers for the "plug" and "pins" to make the power connection are as follows :

A 032 545 39 28 (three required, these are the "pins" - MB call's them "contact springs")
A 030 545 59 28 (one required, this is the plug)

Attached Images

	den1.jpg (57.1 KB, 34 views)
	den2.jpg (77.1 KB, 33 views)
	den3.jpg (90.6 KB, 16 views)

DansSlk

Posts: 6,752

Country:

Thanks: 96

Thanked 221 Times in 173 Posts

Thanks for posting this mate, i was talking to Lenny about it last night so he should find this interesting.

__________________

Sid

Posts: 155

Country:

Thanks: 34

Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts

What are the benefits to having a Denison 500 installed?

I have an A20 system in my SLK.

UK-C200

Posts: 578

Country:

Thanks: 38

Thanked 124 Times in 78 Posts

Basically it allows you to integrate an iPod into your system. In reality, it's just "another" option, but personally I think the integration with COMAND (not available with the MB kit), in combination with better sound output (ie it's not injected via the AUX), makes it the better solution.

You end up with two aux inputs, USB, and also the possibility of bluetooth. I'll post some screenshots of the COMAND screens if anyone is interested.

As as aside, the Denison folks are telling me it will work fine with any of the SLK HU's on the R171's but only displays "CD XX Track XX" on the HU.

youcangetholdofjules

Posts: 17

Country:

Thanks: 1

Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post

Is there any room to install the Dension unit that wont mean that I have to remove the changer?

I am picking up my SLK tomorrow so I haven't yet had a decent look around underneath the dash etc.

noregret4life

Posts: 1,092

Country:

Thanks: 1

Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts

Screenshots of the Command screen would be great. I was interested in this upgrade before my HK Ipod kit. Curious to see what the controls are and what you actually see on screen in various menues/modes.

Thanks

UK-C200

Posts: 578

Country:

Thanks: 38

Thanked 124 Times in 78 Posts

Will do in the AM - just got in from a marathon drive back to Louisiana ahead of Fay..

UK-C200

Posts: 578

Country:

Thanks: 38

Thanked 124 Times in 78 Posts

youcangetholdofjules - there's lots of room in the passenger footwell above the Audio Gateway, and that's originally where I was planning on installing it. As I mentioned before, the wife wanted more glovebox space, and since installing the iPod adapter in our C, we never used the changer at all.

There have also been people with overheating problems with the AGW, so keep that in mind - the Denison unit does not even get warm as nearly as I can tell, so I don't think it's going to add much heat load at all.

The cables that come with the Denison are not very long - I'll measure them and post later - but you can order extension cables if necessary.

UK-C200

Posts: 578

Country:

Thanks: 38

Thanked 124 Times in 78 Posts

Bump for part numbers on power connection...

A 032 545 39 28 (three required, these are the "pins" - MB call's them "contact springs")
A 030 545 59 28 (one required, this is the plug)