Virtual Reality VR3 VRA1.0 PSW - Powered Subwoofer Manual

Introduction

Dear Customer,
CONGRATULATIONS. The VRA1.0PSW Powered Subwoofer, when used as described, will give you years of dependable service in your car, truck, RV or mini-van. We have taken numerous measures in quality control to ensure that your product arrives in top condition, and will perform to your satisfaction. In the rare event that your VRA1.0PSW Powered Subwoofer contains a damaged or missing item, does not perform as specified, requires warranty service or you have an installation problem. DO NOT RETURN THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE. Please call our TOLL FREE number US (800-445-1797) and ask to speak with a member of our technical service team, or submit your questions by E-Mail to customerservice@vr-3.com and a member of our technical service team will respond by E-Mail to your questions. Our in-house technical service team will expedite delivery of your part, advise you on installation, or help troubleshoot a problem with you. If your product needs warranty service, our technical service team representative will help you obtain the fastest remedy possible under the warranty.

Specifications

• 400 Watts Total Power
• 100 Watts @ 4 Ohms < or = 1% THD+N.
  S/N > or = 75 dbA ref. 1 Watt Output @ 14.4 VDC.
• Measured at 14.4 VDC Input Voltage
• Frequency Response: 25 150 Hz
• Dimensions: 18.63" L X 9.25" W X 7.25"H
• Ported ABS Enclosure
• 8" Subwoofer
• Fuse: 20 Amp Automotive Blade Type

Parts

Features & Functions

Pre-installation

Tools Needed For Installation

We recommend an Amplifier Installation Kit containing the following parts

• Power Wire - 8 Gauge w/ Terminal Lug
• Remote Wire - 20 Gauge
• Input Wires - Shielded RCA cables
• After-Market Battery Terminal

Location

Place the powered subwoofer in a location that allows air to circulate around it. Amplifier location and installation will vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on physical layout of the vehicle. Carefully consider as many installation locations and configurations as is practically possible DO NOT COVER the powered subwoofer with carpet or enclose it behind interior panels. DO NOT mount inverted or upside down. The amplifier may be mounted vertically.

Before permanently installing your VRA1.0PSW Powered Subwoofer, place the VRA1.0PSW Powered Subwoofer in the approximate place it will occupy in your car. Run all power and speaker wires inside the vehicle toward the powered subwoofer prior to mounting. This will allow you to estimate how much wire you'll need and where to route the wires inside of your vehicle.

Connect the fused 12 Volt DC power wire, chassis ground cable, and remote wires. (SEE SECTION 3, ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS)

Turn on the car strereo, if the Power Protection light is green, turn off the stereo and proceed to the next section. If the Power Protection light is red, review all of the connections and wires. You may have a loose connection, a bad chassis ground, or an inadequate size power wire. If the problem persists after reviewing all of the connections and wires, call our toll-free help line for assistance.

Do not mount inverted or upside down. Do not cover with carpeting or enclose it behind interior panels.

Mounting the Powered Subwoofer

Water Damage: Do not install this Powered Subwoofer in a location that will expose it to water or moisture. Dust or Dirt: Do not install this Powered Subwoofer in a location that will expose it to dusty or dirty conditions. DO NOT BLOCK THE PORT OPENING FOR ANY REASON. Modifications: Do not open the Powered Subwoofer for any reason, or modify it in any way. If modified in any way a fire hazard or malfunction may occur. Modification will void the warranty.
Modifications: Do not open the Powered Subwoofer for any reason, or modify it in any way. If modified in any way a fire hazard or malfunction may occur. Modification will void the warranty.

Attach the supplied brackets to the base of the Powered Subwoofer using the 4 Phillips Pan Head Screws. (Figure 1)

FIG. 1

Steel Mount
With a hammer & nail set/center punch, make dimple marks on the mounting surface for each monting screw. (Figure 2)

FIG. 2

Carpet Mount
Cut a piece of plywood 22" x 11" and slide it under the carpet where the powered subwoofer will be mounted and proceed to step #4 (Figure 3)

FIG. 3

Drill 4 pilot Holes with an electric drill & 1/16" bit. Make sure that nothing is behind the mount- ing surface that can be damaged when drilling the holes. (Figure 4)

FIG. 4

Secure the Powered Subwoofer using the 4 self tapping screws included

FIG. 5

NOTE:
When mounting the powered subwoofer, make sure there is enough room for access to make adjustments to the volume control.

Electrical Connections

Read the following wiring instructions very carefully. If you have any trouble understanding any of these instructions, have the amplifier professionally installed by an experienced technician. Incorrect wiring will prevent the amplifier from operating, or will damage the amplifier.

Recommended Method For Splicing Wires

Strip 1/2" of insulation from the ends of the wires:

Twist together and bend as shown:

Wrap with electrical tape:

1. Power Terminal
   1. DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE(-) BATTERY TERMINAL FROM THE NEGATIVE BATTERY POST.
   2. Strip ½" of insulation from the end of the 8 gauge power wire. Connect the 8 gauge power wire to the after-market positive battery terminal according to the manufacturer's installation instructions.
      

3. Install a 25 amp fuse or 25 amp circuit breaker in the 8 gauge power wire as close to the battery as practical.
4. Route the 8 gauge power wire from the 25 amp fuse or circuit breaker to the rear of the powered subwoofer.
5. Strip 1/2" width of insulation from the end of the 8 gauge power wire.
6. Attach a spade lug on the end of the 8 Gauge wire.
7. Loosen screw to open POWER connector plates on rear of amplifier.
8. Insert the spade lug between the connector plates. Turn screw until power cable is tight.

2. Remote Terminal
   The REMOTE wire connection automatically turns on your amplifier when your stereo is turned on.
   On most stereos, this wire is marked as the REMOTE, ACCESSORY, or POWER ANTENNA.
   1. Locate the REMOTE, ACCESSORY, or POWER ANTENNA on the stereo. (Refer to your stereo owner's manual.)
   2. Splice the REMOTE, ACCESSORY or POWER ANTENNA wire from rear of the stereo to a length of wire that will reach the rear of the amplifier
   3. Loosen screw and open REMOTE connector plates on rear of amplifier.
   4. Insert wire end between the REMOTE connector plates.
   5. Tighten screw closing REMOTE connector plates on wire.
3. Ground Terminal
   1. The ground connection cable should be attached to clean, unpainted chassis metal for a good electrical connection.
   2. Find good, non-rusted chassis metal, as close to the amplifier as possible.
      
   3. Drill a pilot hole with a 1/16" drill bit.
   4. Use sandpaper to expose an area of bare metal around the pilot hole about the size of a dime.
   5. Tightly fasten the provided ground cable with the self tapping sheet metal screw to the chassis metal.
      A loose ground will cause distortion and popping noises in the speakers.

Recommended Method For Attaching Wires to Terminals

1. GROUND WIRE
   To connect the supplied ground wire, remove the screw and contact from the ground terminal on the rear of the am- plifier. Put the screw through the contact plate, then through the ground wire, and finally tighten the screw.
   
2. REMOTE WIRE
   To connect the remote wire, place the twisted end under the contact plate and tighten screw.
   
3. POWER WIRE
   When connecting the power wire, place the spade terminal under the contact plate and the forks around the screw. Then tighten the screw.

RCA Line Inputs

The line inputs on the front of the amplifier receive low level, high impedance signals from the low level RCA outputs of the car stereo. The amplifier receives the signals and converts them to high level, low impedance signals to be used to drive the speakers. All of the amplifiers line inputs need to be connected to the car stereo, in order to use all of the speaker outputs.

Adaptors & Cables

If your stereo does not have RCA type output jacks, a high level to low level adaptor will need to be purchased. The high level to low level adaptor takes the signals from the car stereo's speaker wires and converts them to low level, high impedance signals to be used by the ampifier. Install the converter according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Do not splice RCA jacks directly to the car stereo's speaker wires.

NOTE:
The colors of the jacks on the RCA cables and adaptors shown here are for illustration purposes.
The color of the cables and adaptors that you purchase for installation will vary by manufacturer.

Volume Settings

1. Set the volume control on the VRA 1.0PSW to Minimum.
2. Turn on the car stereo. The VRA 1.0PSW will turn ON and the green LED will be on.
3. Set the head unit volume to a normal listening level on your speakers.
4. Adjust the VRA1.0PSW volume control until the subwoofer volume matches the speakers.
5. NOTE: Never turn the volume control to Maximum.
   This will result in damage and void the warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RMS power of the built-in digital amplifier?
The digital amplifier is rated at 100 Watts RMS power.

What is the frequency response of the VRA1.0PSW?
Frequency response is 25 Hz ~ 150 Hz ± 3 db. This bandwidth was selected for optimum bass performance.

What is a ported enclosure?
There is a round tube on the side of the ABS enclosure that tunes the volume of air inside the enclosure to match the subwoofer's response. It is normal to feel air moving in and out of the opening. DO NOT block the opening for any reason.

Why do I sometimes hear a clicking sound?
A clicking sound indicates that the digital amplifier is being driven into distortion. Turn down the volume control until it stops clicking.

Why does the LED switch between green and red?

Suspect the power and ground connections or insufficient wire size to carry the current demand. Remember that the chassis ground connection is the return path for negative voltage.

What does it mean if the LED stays red?
Aconstant red LED indicates that the digital amplifier inside VRA1.0PSW has malfunctioned. Call Technical Service (1-800-445-1797) for assistance.

GIVE US A CALL, WE'LL HELP YOU INSTALL.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN PRODUCT TO STORE.
Visit us on the WEB
www.vr-3.com

For Information and Technical Assistance, Call Toll-Free in U.S.A. and Canada.
1-800-445-1797

Documents / Resources

References

• http://vr-3.com

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Virtual Reality VR3 VRA1.0 PSW - Powered Subwoofer Manual