Thumbnail Filmstrip of Fibre Optic Inline Connector for D2B Ring Images

Fibre Optic Inline Connector for D2B Optical Ring

Description:

An inline connector for closing or "shorting out" the D2B optical ring when components are removed from or added to the car's fibre optic D2B audio network. The D2B fibre optic system is most commonly used for Mercedes-Benz car audio systems from around the mid 1990s to mid 2000s. It is NOT compatible with MOST fibre optic cables or connectors. Supplied as one inline connector.

Key Features:

Closes the Ring: Joins two D2B fibre ends so the light can pass straight through, keeping the optical ring complete.
Secure Inline Design: A compact plastic body with a metal retaining clip, designed to hold the fibre ends in place.
For D2B Only: Made for D2B optical rings. It does not suit MOST fibre optics.
One Connector Supplied: Enough to bypass one component, which has an incoming and an outgoing fibre.

Typical Uses:

Removal, bypassing or looping out of defective or faulty audio components from the D2B ring.
Bypassing deactivated components in the D2B ring when using active system adapters or similar.
Removing an original CD changer, phone module, voice control unit or amplifier from the ring when fitting an aftermarket radio.
Keeping the remaining components in the ring working after one component has been removed.

How the D2B Ring Works:

D2B is a ring. Each component has one fibre bringing the light in and one fibre sending it out to the next component, and the light travels in one direction around the whole loop.
If the ring is broken at any point, the components on it will not work, so every unit that is removed must be bridged.
The fibre end that brings the light from the previous component is usually red, and the end that carries it on to the next component is usually clear.
When a component is unplugged and the system is switched on, a flashing red light is visible at the end of the incoming (red) fibre.

Installation Guide (Professional Installation is Recommended):

1. Check Your System: Confirm that your vehicle uses D2B and not MOST. D2B fibre ends are coloured red and clear and protrude from the plug, while MOST fibre ends are uncoloured and recessed.
2. Prepare: Switch off the ignition. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's procedure for working on the electrical system, and make sure the area is clean and well lit.
3. Remove the Component: Unplug the optical connector from the component being removed. Each component has two fibres, one incoming and one outgoing.
4. Identify the Fibres: Identify the incoming (red) and outgoing (clear) fibre ends. Where the fibres are held in a plastic plug, they can usually be released by lifting the locking tab on the plug. Check your vehicle's service information first.
5. Join the Ends: Push each fibre end fully into the inline connector, one from each side, so the two ends meet inside it. The light from the incoming fibre should then pass straight into the outgoing fibre.
6. Test: Reconnect the battery and switch on the ignition. The remaining components should work. If they do not, recheck that both fibres are fully pushed in and clean.
7. Secure: Tape or tie the connector so it cannot vibrate, rattle or pull on the fibres, and place it in a dry area away from heat.

Things to Look Out For:

Do not remove the clear or red coloured ends from the fibre optic cable itself.
Do not touch the exposed fibre ends. Dirt, fingerprints and scratches block the light and can cause the ring to fail or work intermittently.
Do not bend, kink or stress the fibre cables. A sharp bend can damage the fibre and weaken the signal.
Do not look directly into a fibre end or shine the light into your eyes.
Do not use it on MOST fibre optic systems.
Removing a component can cause fault codes or missing function in some vehicles, so the system may need to be coded to match. The connector only closes the optical ring.
If you are fitting an aftermarket radio, do not connect the D2B wake-up wire (usually blue/black) to the radio's remote turn-on wire.
Only the ring is bridged. Power, ground and wake-up wiring for any retained components must stay connected.

Please Note:

Supplied as one inline connector, which bridges one component. If you remove more than one component, you may need more than one connector.
If you are unsure whether your vehicle uses D2B, or which fibres to join, please check with us before ordering.
Professional installation is recommended if you are not familiar with fibre optic systems.