CALIBER BC120 US Underseat Car Subwoofer User Manual

BC120 US Underseat Car Subwoofer
User Manual BC120 US
Quickstart guide

BC120 US Underseat Car Subwoofer

We are continuously improving/updating our products and product information.
It’s therefore possible that there is a slight difference between the description in this manual to the operation of the product.
If something is different or not clear; always check our website for the most current version.
Please read the user’s manual carefully before the installation and the first operation of the amplifier.

Specifications

Important notes prior to installation

• This device is only suited for a 12 volt system with negative ground
• The radiated heat while operation requires sufficient air circulation at the place of installation. It is very important that the heat sink fins do not have contact with any metal parts of any surfaces which could impair air circulation.

The amplifier may not be installed in small closed location or spaces without air circulation.
We recommend the installation in the vehicle’s trunk. Ensure protection against vibrationss, dust and dirt.

• Ensure that the input and output cables are sufficiently seperated from the power supply cables. Otherwise interferences may occur.
• The reliability and performance of the amplifier depends on the quality of installation. Preferably consult an expert to install the system
• Avoid any damage or removing of the components of the vehicle like wires, cables, board computer, seat belts, gas tank of the like.

Power supply and turn-on-connection

ATTENTION: Before you start with the installation, disconnect the ground connection from te vehicle’s battery in order to prevent short circuits. Use the enclosed cable plug to connect each terminal. The power wiring which is usually installed in on-board car networks is not sufficient for a power amplifier’s demands. Make sure that the  power wires to GND and to the +12 V terminal has been sufficiently specified. First connect the GND terminal [ 1 ] of the amplifier to an appropiate ground connection at the chassis. To ensure a good connection, residue dirt and dust from the connection point.A loose connection may cause malfunctions or interferences noise and distortion.  Then connect the +12 V terminal [ 2 ] of the amplifier with the battery by using an appropiatecable including an in-line fuse. This fuse [ 4 ] should be located very close to the battery [ 3 ]; for safety reasons not more than 30 cm away.
Only insert the fuse when the installation, inclu ding the connection of the loudspeakers, has been accomplished. Then connect the remote turn-on wire [ 5 ] from the head unit with the amplifier’s REM terminal. A cable with a cross- section of 0.5 mm2 is adequate.

AUDIO SIGNAL CABLES

When installing the audio cables between the RCA outputs of the head unit and the RCA inputs of the amplifier [ 6 ], the audio and power supply cables should, if possible, not be routed along the same side of the vehicle. We recommend a separated installation, e.g. routing the power cable through the cable channel on the left side and the audio
cables through the cable channel of the vehicle on the right side or vice versa. This prevents interferences due to crosstalk into the audio signal.

HIGH LEVEL INPUTS & AUTO ON

The high level inputs under HI LEVEL IN [ 7 ] is suitable to connect the device input with speaker wires, if your head unit is not equipped with pre- amplifier RCA outputs. Extend therefor every regarding speaker cable from your head unit with appropriate speaker cables from your car audio retailer to the mounting location of the amplifier. Then connect the each matching loudspeaker cable with the cables of the included High Level Input jack.
CAUTION: Never use the high level inputs and the
RCA inputs at the same time. This may damage the device seriously. Use the enclosed cable plug to connect each terminal.
AUTO ON
Push the AUTO ON switch [ 8 ] to ON position. The amplifier detects now a voltage rise (6 Volts) over connected input signal on the HI LEVEL IN [ 7 ] when the head unit will be switched on. Hence, the amplifier will als be turned on. As soon as the head unit will be turned off, the amplifier turns also automatically off. In this case the turn-on connection [ 5 ] is not needed.
N O TE: The AUTO ON function usually works with 90% of all head units, because they are equipped with “High Power”-outputs. Only with a few older and still existing head units the AUTO ON function is not working.

INPUT SENSITIVITY

Turn the INPUT GAIN [ 9 ] controller of the amplifier to the MIN position. The turn the volume controller of the head unit to 80 – 90% of its full setting. Now turn INPUT GAIN [ 9 ] clockwise until you hear some distortion. Then turn back INPUT GAIN [ 9 ] slightly until you hear a cleaner sound.
VARIABLE BASS BOOST
By using the BASS BOOST controller [ 10 ] you are able to increase the bass enhancement from 0 to 12 dB.
ATTENTION: Use the BASS BOOST wisely!
PHASE SWITCH
The PHASE switch [ 11 ] allows to switch the phase from 0° to 180° to match the output signal with the vehicle’s interior acoustic.
VARIABLE LOW PASS FILTER
Set the desired crossover frequency by using the controller LOW PASS [ 12 ]. Thus to that only the frequencies below the chosen crossover frequency will be amplified and the subwoofer plays more precisely and efficient.
BASS LEVEL REMOTE CONTROLLER
With the included bass level cable remote controller [ 13 ] allows to adjust the bass level e.g. out of the driver’s seat. Connect the remote controller and the REMOTE CONTROL terminal [ 14 ] with the enclosed cable.
PROTECTION CIRCUIT
The PROTECT LED [ 15 ] lights up red, when the amplifier is overheated, or a short circuit occurs respective a too low impedance load is connected to the speaker outputs. If this events, the internal built-in protection circuit shuts down the amplifier automatically. The amplifier should work again properly after you have solved the problems. The POWER LED [ 16 ] lights up green, if the amplifier is in operation

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you are having problems after installation follow the Troubleshooting procedures below.
Procedure 1:
Check Amplifier for proper conncections.
Verify that POWER LED lights up green. If this is the case, skip to Step 3, if not continue.

1. Check in-line fuse on battery positive cable. Replace if necessary.
2. Check fuse(s) on amplifier. Replace if necessary.
3. Verify that Ground connection is connected to clean metal on the vehicle’s chassis. Repair/replace if necessary.
4. Verify there is 9 to 16 Volts present at the positive battery and remote turn-on cable. Verify quality connections for both cables at amplifier, stereo and battery/fuse holder. Repair/replace if necesarry.
5. Check that the AUTO ON switch is in the ON position and the HI LEVEL IN is connected correctly, if you don’t use the RCA inputs LINE INPUT.

Procedure 2:
PROTECT LED lights up red.

1. If the PROTECT LED lights up, this is a sign of driving the device at very high power levels without adequate airflow around the device. Shut off the system and allow device to cool down. Check that the vehicle charging system is maintaining proper voltage. If the previous items do not solve the problem, a fault may be in the device.

Procedure 3:
Check the audio performance of the amplifier.

1. Verify good RCA input connections at stereo and amplifier. Check entire length of cables for kinks, slices etc.Test RCA inputs for AC volts with stereo on. Repair/replace if necessary.

Procedure 4:
Check amplifier for a popping noise while turning on.

1. Disconnect input signal to amplifier and turn amplifier on and off.
2. If the noise is eliminated, connect the remote lead of amplifier to source unit while a delay turn-on module.

Procedure 5:
Check Amplifier if you experience excess Engine Noise

1. Route all signal carrying wires (RCA, speaker cables) away from power and ground wires.
   OR

2. Bypass any and all electrical components betwee the head unit and the amplifier(s). Connect stereo directly to input of amplifier. If noise goes away the unit being bypassed is the cause of the noise.
   OR

3. Remove existing ground wires for all electrical components. Reground wires to different locations. Verify that grounding location is clean, shiny metal free of paint, rust
   etc.
   OR

4. Add secondary ground cable from negative battery terminal to the chassis metal or engine block of vehicle.
   OR

5. Have alternator and battery load tested by your mechanic. Verify good working order of vehicle electrical system including distributor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, voltage regulator etc.

****Old appliances and/or batteries must not be disposed with garbage!
If the device/battery can not be used anymore, every user is legally obliged to dispose of old appliances and/or batteries separated from the garbage, e.g. at a collection point of his municipality/district.
Cliber hereby declares that the item BC 120US is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) and 2011/65/EU (ROHS).

Latest declaration form can be found at:
www.calibereurope.com/nlmedia/forms/DeclarationBC 120US.pdf

CALIBEREUROPE.COM
CALIBER EUROPE BV • Kortakker 10
4264 AE Veen • The Netherlands

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