CERWIN VEGA VCU82 (01) PDF Document

The CERWIN VEGA VCU82 amplifier includes the following features:

• Full Range Class D IR Chipset

• DirectFET Power Mosfet Output Stage

• SMD Technology on 4 layer Glass PC Board

• Conformal Coated PCB assembly for added water resistance

• ICAD circuit provides superior overload protection

• Frequency response 10 Hz – 30kHz

• Variable 12db crossovers

• Cerwin Vega Bass boost +12DB @45HZ

• Premium 8 gauge power connections

• Multi channels / Mono channel

• Remote Bass Knob

Please follow these general precautions when installing and using your CERWIN VEGA VCU82:

• This unit is designed for negative ground 12V DC operation only.

• Total system impedance must not be less than 2 Ohms stereo. For bridged operation, the minimum impedance is 4 Ohms.

• Avoid installing the unit where it would be subject to high temperatures, such as from direct sunlight or hot air from the heater. Also, avoid exposure to rain, moisture, dust, or dirt.

• Do not cover the unit with carpet or wires.

• Do not use the unit with a weak auto battery. Optimum performance depends on optimum battery supply voltage.

• For safety reasons, keep the volume of your car audio system moderate while driving your vehicle so that you can still hear normal traffic sounds outside your car.

• There is no speaker level input connector. You can cut RCA’s and solder the wires to connect directly through the low-level input (RCA) or purchase the optional “RCA Adaptor cable” (model CHHILVL) for a cleaner install.

Although the CERWIN VEGA VCU82 incorporates heat sinks and protection circuits, mounting it in a tight space without air movement can damage internal circuitry over time. Choose a location that provides adequate ventilation around the amplifier. For easy system set-up, mount the amplifier so the side panel controls will be accessible after installation. To increase thermal run times on low impedance loads, an additional fan is recommended.

1. Using a felt pen, mark the mounting hole locations.

2. Mounting the amplifier on carpet will significantly reduce air flow, resulting in reduced thermal run times.

3. Mount the amplifier on a solid surface. Avoid mounting to sub woofer enclosures or areas prone to vibration. Do not install the amplifier on plastic or other combustible materials.

4. Prior to mounting the amplifier, make sure not to cut or drill into the fuel tank, fuel lines, brake lines (under chassis), or electrical wiring.

1. Before installation, make sure the source unit power switch is in the OFF position.

2. Disconnect the negative (-) lead of the battery before making any power connections.

3. When making connections, be sure that each one is clean and secure. Insulate all of your connections. Failure to do so may damage your equipment.

4. A secure clean ground connection is critical to the performance of your amplifier. Connect the ground directly to the car chassis to minimize resistance and avoid any noise problems.

5. Add an external fuse on the amplifier’s positive (+) power lead and connect it as close as possible to the vehicle’s (+) battery terminal. Use a rating that equals the total current consumption at full output of all amplifiers in the system. The recommended fuse rating for the CERWIN VEGA VCU82 is 25A. This external fuse will protect the vehicle from short circuits that can cause a fire.

Follow these steps to wire your CERWIN VEGA VCU82 amplifier:

Power Wire Installation:

1. Plan your wire routing. Keep RCA cables isolated from power cables and other high-power accessories to prevent noise.

2. Prepare the power wire by stripping 5/8 inch (15.9mm) of insulation from the end. Insert the bare wire into the B+ terminal on the amplifier and tighten the set screw.

3. The B+ cable MUST be fused within 18 inches (45.7mm) of the vehicle’s positive battery post. Install a waterproof fuse holder with a 25A fuse for the VCU82. Do NOT install the fuse at this time.

4. Strip 1/2 inch (12.7mm) from the battery end of the power cable. Crimp and solder a large ring terminal to the cable and connect it to the positive (+) battery post.

Ground Wire Installation:

5. Prepare the ground wire by stripping 5/8″ of insulation. Use a wire of the same gauge as the power connection. Insert the bare wire into the GND terminal and tighten the set screw. Prepare the chassis ground by scraping paint from a metal surface to ensure a clean connection. Strip the other end of the wire, crimp and solder a ring connector, and fasten it to the chassis with a non-anodized screw, star washer, and nut.

Remote Turn-On Wire Installation:

6. Prepare the REMOTE turn-on wire by stripping 5/8 inch (15.9mm) of insulation. Insert the bare wire into the REM terminal and tighten the set screw. Connect the other end to a switched 12-volt positive source, typically the source unit’s remote amp turn-on lead. If unavailable, use a relay to connect to an accessory terminal in the car’s fuse block.

Connect your speakers to the terminals on the speaker output harness. Stereo connections are connected as labeled. For bridged connections, use the LEFT + and RIGHT – as the two connections. Speaker impedance should never be less than 2 Ohms for stereo operation or 4 Ohms for bridged mono operation. For most applications, 18-gauge wire is adequate, but for leads over ten feet, 16-gauge wire is recommended. Pay careful attention to the polarity of the terminals on both the speakers and the amplifier. DO NOT chassis ground any of the speaker leads, as this can cause unstable operation or damage.

The status LEDs on your CERWIN VEGA VCU82 indicate the amplifier’s operational status. A light indicates the amplifier is powered up normally. The Protect LED will illuminate if there is a problem or protection fault with your amplifier.

The Sensitivity (Input Gain Adjustment) control matches the preamp stage of the CERWIN VEGA VCU82 to your source unit. This is NOT a volume control. The range is between approximately 200mV to 10V. To set the gain:

1. Turn the amplifier gains all the way down (counterclockwise).

2. If using the included remote level control, plug it in and turn it to about the “HALF-WAY” (12 O’clock) position.

3. Turn the source unit volume up to almost full (usually about 2/3rds of the way up) or until the output starts to distort.

4. Slowly increase the amplifier gain setting until you achieve adequate volume or until distortion becomes audible. Then, turn the gain down slightly until the distortion is gone.

NOTE: Ideal signal-to-noise and dynamic range are achieved with the gain at minimum. Avoid setting the amplifier gain very high, as noise and distortion will increase significantly.

The CERWIN VEGA VCU82 can be switched on and off using one of three methods, selected by the “Turn-On Mode” switch. Note that DC and VOX settings ONLY work with speaker level input.

• REM (Remote): This is the standard and most preferred method. It uses a 12V trigger wire from your head unit’s remote output to provide an instant on/off signal for the amplifier.

• DC (DC Offset): When connected via high-level (speaker) input, this mode senses differences in ground in your wiring (DC offset) and turns the amplifier on.

• VOX (Signal Sensing): This mode senses an audio signal input into the amplifier’s RCA connections and turns the amplifier on. Both DC and VOX modes are used when a 12V trigger wire is not available and may have a slight delay in turning the amplifier on and off.

The CERWIN VEGA VCU82 has a 12dB crossover that is adjustable from 40Hz to 400Hz.

• Crossover Selection Switch: This switch selects the crossover type.

– Use HP (High Pass) for midrange or high-frequency speakers, allowing only frequencies above the set point to pass through.

– Use LP (Low Pass) for subwoofers, allowing only frequencies below the set point to pass through.

– In the FLAT position, the crossover is bypassed, and all speakers will receive the full frequency range.

• Crossover Adjustment (FREQ): After selecting HP or LP, use this knob to adjust the crossover frequency between 40Hz and 400Hz. For system tuning, a good starting point is approximately 80Hz; you can then fine-tune it up or down based on your music preference and system components.

The Vega Bass Boost control adds 0 to +12dB of boost at 45Hz. Be cautious when adding boost to some subwoofer systems, as they may not be able to handle the additional low-frequency boost. To use it properly:

1. Make sure any bass EQ or low-frequency equalization from the source unit is set to OFF or FLAT.

2. While playing music, slowly increase the level of the Bass EQ. You should notice a change between 0 and +12dB. If you do not notice much difference, it will not serve any benefit to increase the boost further.

3. If the boost has audible benefits without adding noticeable distortion, find a level that suits your taste. Remember that it’s much easier to construct a proper subwoofer enclosure for your listening preferences than relying on a bass boost control.

The CERWIN VEGA VCU82 includes a port for the remote level control. This control allows the user to adjust the level of gain up to the maximum adjustment level that has been set on the amplifier’s control panel. The remote control does not add any additional boost; it only attenuates the setting that is fixed on the amplifier.

Yes. Since the VCU series amplifiers can accept speaker level input, the easiest way to connect to your radio’s speaker outputs is to use stereo RCA cables. Strip the wires on one end of the RCA cables and connect them to the speaker outputs from your OEM amplifier or head unit. Then, plug the RCA connectors directly into the amplifier’s RCA input harness. When using this method, you will need to set the “Turn-On Mode” switch to either DC (DC Offset) or VOX (Signal Sensing).