Planet Audio ZR900.1 Users Manual

CONTENTS

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 1

U S E R ’ S M A N U A L

2 Introduction

2 What is included?

3 General precautions

3 Installation precautions

4 Mounting the amplifier

4 Connecting the amplifier

6 Features

7 Front and rear panels

8 System wiring:

single amplifier system

9 System wiring:

dual amplifier system in
master/slave mode

10 Troubleshooting

11 Specifications

Congratulations on your
purchase of a Planet Audio
Zetar Class D Amplifier.

It has been designed, engineered
and manufactured to bring you
the highest level of performance
and quality, and will afford you
years of listening pleasure.

Thank you for making Planet
Audio your choice for car audio
entertainment!

page

ZR900.1

®

CLASS D MonoBlock Power Amplifier

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 2

Introduction

The Zetar ZR900.1 Class D MonoBlock
amplifier has been designed to deliver
a winning combination of power, system
flexibility and audio performance. Planet
Audio's engineers have worked hard to
create a great-looking, great-sounding
amp at an affordable price.

This amp can be used alone as a
subwoofer amp, or strapped to another
ZR900.1 in a Master/Slave
configuration, for an incredible 600W
of Class D power. It offers great
installation flexibility too, with convenient
front panel Line Output jacks to aid in
system building.

In addition to 24dB/octave variable low
pass crossover, the ZR900.1 also has
a high pass crossover, which you can
use as a rumble and noise filter to tightly
control the low frequency range
presented to the internal audio amplifier.

The ZR900.1 also features a remote
subwoofer level control, as well as a
phase shift selector switch to help fine­tune your system's time alignment.

What is included?

When first unpacking your new
amplifier, please check first that the
package contains all of the items
below. If something is missing, contact
the store where you purchased the
player.

• ZR900.1 amplifier

• Remote subwoofer level control

• Remote subwoofer control cable

• DataLink cable (for strapping two
ZR900.1 amps together)

• Four (4) mounting screws

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 3

General Precautions

SHOCK HAZARD! Do not open the case
of this product. There are dangerous

voltages present within the unit. There are
no user-serviceable parts within the unit.

Installation precautions

Before you drill or cut any holes,
investigate your car's layout very
carefully. Take special care when you
work near the gas tank, fuel lines,
hydraulic lines and electrical wiring.

Never operate the amplifier when it is
unmounted. Attach all audio system
components securely within the
amplifier to prevent damage, especially
in an accident.

Do not mount this amplifier so that
wire connections are unprotected, in
a pinched condition, in contact with
any metal surfaces in your vehicle, or
likely to be damaged by nearby
objects.

Before making or breaking power
connections in your system,
disconnect the vehicle battery. Confirm
that your head unit or other equipment
is turned off while connecting the input
jacks and speaker terminals.

If you need to replace the power fuse,
replace it only with a fuse identical to
that supplied with the amplifier. Using
a fuse of a different type or rating may
result in damage to your audio system
or your amplifier which is not covered
by the manufacturer's warranty.

Before installing and using your new
Planet Audio amplifier, please be­come familiar with all the informa­tion contained in this manual.

Please keep this manual in a safe
place for future reference.

• Do not open or attempt to repair this
unit yourself. Dangerous high voltages
are present which may result in electric
shock. Refer any repairs to a qualified
service technician.

• To avoid risk of electronic shock or
damage to the amplifier, do not permit
any of this equipment to become damp
or wet from water or drinks. If this does
occur, immediately unplug the power
wires and send the amplifier to your
local dealer or service center as soon
as possible.

• if there is smoke or any peculiar odor
present during use or if there is damage
to any of the component enclosures,
immediately unplug the power cord
and send the amplifier to your local
dealer or service center as soon as
possible .

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 4

Mounting the amplifier

1. Find a suitable location in the vehicle
in which to mount the amplifier.

2. Make sure there is sufficient air
circulation around the intended
mounting location.

3. Mark the location for the mounting
hole screws by positioning the amplifier
where you wish to install it. Use a
scribe or mounting screw, inserted
through each of the amp's mounting
holes, to mark the mounting surface.
If the mounting surface is carpeted,
measure the hole centers and mark
with a felt tip pen.

4. Drill pilot holes in the mounting
surface for the mounting screws. Place
the amplifier in position, and attach
the amplifier to the mounting surface
securely using screws.

Before doing any wiring, look through
this manual and identify the diagrams
to follow for power, input and speaker
connections for your particular
installation. Be sure you understand
all the connections before you proceed.

1. Connect the power ground terminal
to the closest point on the chassis of
the vehicle. Keep this ground wire to
less than 39" (100 cm) in length. Use
8 gauge (or heavier) wire.

2. Connect the remote terminal to the
remote output of the head unit using
16 gauge (or heavier) wire.

3. Connect an empty fuse holder within
18" (45 cm) of the car battery, and run
8 gauge (or heavier) cable from this
fuse to the amplifier location.

4. Check that the fuse holder is empty.
Then connect the fuse holder to the
"BATT+" connection on the amplifier.

5. If multiple amplifiers are being used
in your system, either:

• Run a separate pair of cables from
the battery and a chassis ground point
to each amplifier. Each (+) cable must
have its own inline fuse.

-or-

• Run a #0 or #2 cable from the fuse
holder at the battery to a distribution
block at or near the amplifier's location.
Then run separate cables from the
amplifier to this distribution block and
to independent chassis ground points.

6. Connect all line inputs and outputs
(if used) using high-quality cables.
Connect all speakers, following the
diagrams in this manual. Be sure to
observe proper polarity to avoid audio
phase problems.

Connecting the amplifier

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 5

7. Insert fuse(s) into the battery fuse
holder(s).

8. Recheck all connections before
powering up the amplifier.

9. Set all level controls to minimum
position, and set all crossover
controls/switches to the desired
frequency points.

10. Power up the head unit and the
amplifier. Then set the volume control
on the head unit to about 3/4 volume,
and adjust the amplifier's input level
control to just below the level of
distortion.

11. Further fine tuning of the various
controls may be necessary to obtain best
results.

Do not mistake the input level control
for a volume control! It is designed
ONLY to match the output level of
your audio source to the input level of
your amplifier.

Do not adjust this input level to
maximum unless your input level
requires it.

Ignoring these instructions will result
in an input overload to the amplifier,
and excessive audio distortion. It can
also cause the protection circuit to
engage.

Don't misuse the Input
Level control!

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 6

Features

Your new Zetar Class D amplifier features the following:

• Fully-regulated, Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) power supply to assure
constant power delivery with all battery voltages from 11.5-14.4V

•O ptically-isolated remote input

• Custom-designed, multi-filar power transformers

• High current MOSFETS in the push-pull output stage

• Multiple bypass capacitors on incoming 12V supply, located on the printed
circuit board to reduce inductance on ground planes and switching losses

• Pure totem-pole drive from the PWM controller to the gates of the power
MOSFETs

• 35 nanosecond rectifiers to reduce loss in secondary circuits

• Full regulation of power supplies for all low level circuits, using discrete
regulator filter circuits

• Three separate protection circuits: short circuit, thermal and reverse polarity

• Active thermal management circuits to continuously monitor the heatsink
temperature, permitting the amplifier to operate much longer without thermal
shutdown

• Multiple time-delay circuits and optically isolated drive circuits ensure an
absolutely quiet turn-on and turn-off cycle

• Custom, heavy-duty nickel-plated connectors accept 4 gauge (power) and
8 gauge (speaker) wire

About 2 Ohm operation

Your Zetar amplifier has been designed to operate efficiently at loads down to 2
Ohms. This means that you can install four 8 Ohm speakers when using parallel

wiring.

Increasing the number of woofers at low frequencies (below 100Hz) produces an
acoustic coupling effect. This acoustic coupling effect increases your power output
by abut 3dB per speaker, or the equivalent of an additional 10W per speaker.

When operating at 2 Ohms, the amplifiers will increase their output power by
approximately 50%. The current draw will also increase by about the same amount,

so be sure you have enough current to run the amplifiers into a 2 Ohm load.

If you lack adequate current, your music reproduction will be distorted.

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 7

Front and rear panels

ZR900.1 front

ZR900.1 rear

LINE OUTPUT JACKS

LINE INPUT JACKS

INPUT LEVEL CONTROL

SUBSONIC FILTER CONTROL

LOW PASS FILTER

PHASE SELECTOR

BASS BOOST CONTROL

SPEAKER TERMINALS

1

2

3

4

BRIDGED MODE SELECTOR

INPUT SENSITIVITY SELECTOR

DATALINK PORT FOR
MASTER/SLAVE CABLE

REMOTE SUBWOOFER LEVEL
CONTROL CONNECTOR

FUSES

POWER CONNECTIONS

5

6

7

10

11

12

13

14

8

9

SPEAKER

+ -

min max

INPUT
LEVEL

15Hz 60Hz

SUBSONIC

FILTER

50Hz 150Hz

LOWP ASS

FILTER

100mV-2V 2-8V

LINE

INPUTS

0 +18dB

BASS

BOOST

INPUT SENSITIVITY BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

PHASE

0 180

0

L

R

LINE

OUTPUTS

+12V Remote Ground

POWER

REMOTE
SUBWOOFER
LEVEL
CONTROL

FUSES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11

12 13 14

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 8

System Wiring: Single amplifier system

The ZR900.1 is usually used as a subwoofer amp in multi-amplifier systems. The
typical input source is either the subwoofer outputs from a receiver or from a signal
processor.

However, if your audio source lacks a subwoofer output, you can connect a full­range source to the inputs and use the ZR900.1's built-in low pass crossover to
control the frequency range delivered to the internal amplifier.

The signal on the ZR900.1's Line Out jacks is identical to the signal presented to
the amp via the RCA inputs, so you can conveniently connect another amp using
the Line Outs.

Capacitor

To Line Inputs of
additional amplifier,
(if present)

To Audio Outputs of
head unit or signal
processor

ZR900.1 Front Panel Connections

Woofer(s)

SPEAKER

+ -

min max

INPUT
LEVEL

15Hz 60Hz

SUBSONIC

FILTER

50Hz 150Hz

LOWPASS

FILTER

100mV-2V 2-8V

LINE

INPUTS

0 +18dB

BASS

BOOST

INPUTS ENSITIVITY BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

PHASE

0 180

0

L

R

LINE

OUTPUTS

SPEAKER

+ -

minmax

INPUT
LEVEL

15Hz 60Hz

SUBSONIC
FILTER

50Hz150Hz

LOWPASS
FILTER

100mV-2V2-8V

LINE

INPUTS

0 +18dB

BASS
BOOST

INPUTSENSITIVITY BRIDGEDMODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

PHASE

0 180

0

L

R

LINE

OUTPUTS

+

–

ZR900.1 Rear Panel Connections

Remote subwoofer

level control

Chassis
ground point

to REMOTE TURN-ON
terminal of head unit

Distribution

Block

In-line fuse

holder

Battery

+12V Remote Ground

POWER

REMOTE
SUBWOOFER
LEVEL
CONTROL

FUSES

NOTE: TOTAL

IMPEDANCE OF

ALL CONNECTED

SPEAKERS

MUST BE 2 OHMS

MINIMUM!

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s Manual - page 9

System Wiring: Dual amp Master/Slave system

You can "strap" two ZR900.1 amps together* to power a single subwoofer to attain
an output power rating of 600W on your subwoofer channel!

Follow the wiring diagram below, carefully noting the switch positions, which create
the master/slave relationship between the amps. Set up in this manner, the controls
on the master amp affect both amplifiers (the controls on the slave amp are bypassed
and have no effect on the signal path).

* The ZR900.1 can only be strapped to
another ZR900.1. Using any other amplifier
for this purpose may cause damage to your
system or vehicle that is not covered by the
manufacturer's warranty.

Woofer(s)

For rear panel connections (Power and
Remote Subwoofer Level Control), please
see the preceding page.

To Audio Outputs
of
head unit or signal
processor

SPEAKER

IMPEDANCE

4 OHMS!

DATALINK
Cable

BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

Bridged Mode
switch in

"MASTER"

position

BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

Bridged Mode
switch in

"SLAVE"

position

SPEAKER

+ -

min max

INPUT
LEVEL

15Hz 60Hz

SUBSONIC

FILTER

50Hz 150Hz

LOWPASS

FILTER

100mV-2V 2-8V

LINE

INPUTS

0 +18dB

BASS

BOOST

INPUTS ENSITIVITY BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

PHASE

0 180

0

L

R

LINE

OUTPUTS

SPEAKER

+ -

min max

INPUT
LEVEL

15Hz 60Hz

SUBSONIC

FILTER

50Hz 150Hz

LOWPASS

FILTER

100mV-2V 2-8V

LINE

INPUTS

0 +18dB

BASS

BOOST

INPUTS ENSITIVITY BRIDGED MODE

MASTER SLAVE

DATA
LINK

PHASE

0 180

0

L

R

LINE

OUTPUTS

Master
Amp

Slave
Amp

+

–

Troubleshooting

Zetar ZR900.1 Class D Amplifier User’s - page 10

If you experience operation or performance problems with this product, compare your
installation with the electrical wiring diagram on the previous pages. If problems persist,
read the following troubleshooting tips which may help eliminate the problems.

Amplifier will not
power up.

Check to make sure you have a good ground connection.

Check that the Remote Input (Turn-On) has at least 3VDC.
Check that there is battery power on the (+) terminal.

Check that there is at least 12v.
Check all fuses, replace if necessary.

Make sure that the Protection LED is not illuminated. If it is lit, shut off
the amplifier briefly, and then repower it.

Protection LED
comes on when
amplifier is
powered up.

Check for short circuits on speaker leads.
Turn down the volume control on the head unit to prevent overdriving.

Remote speaker leads, and reset the amplifier. If the Protection LED still
comes on, then the amplifier is faulty and needs servicing.

No output.

Check that all fuses are OK.

Check that amplifier is properly grounded.
Check that the Remote Input (Turn-On) has at least 3VDC.

Check that the RCA audio cables are plugged into the proper inputs.
Check all speaker wiring.

Low output.

Reset the Level Control.

Check the Crossover Control settings.

High hiss in the
speakers.

Disconnect all RCA inputs to the amplifiers. If the hiss disappears, then
plug in the component driving the amplifier and unplug its inputs. If the
hiss disappears at this point, go on until the faulty/noisy component is
found.
It is best to set the amplifier's input level control as low as possible. The
best subjective signal-to-noise ratio is achieved in this manner. Try to set
the head unit as high as possible (without distortion) and the amp input
level as low as possible.

Squealing noise
from speakers.

Check for improperly grounded RCA interconnects.

Distorted sound.

Check that the Input Level Control is set to match the signal level of the
head unit. Always try to set the Input Level as low as possible.

Check that all crossover frequencies are properly set.

Check for short circuits on the speaker leads.

Amplifier gets
very hot.

Check that the minimum speaker impedance for the amp model is correct.

Check that there is good air circulation around the amp. In some
applications, it may be necessary to add and external cooling fan.

Engine noise
(static type)

This is usually caused by poor quality RCA cables,which can pick up
radiated noise. Use only the best quality cables, and route them away
from power cables.

Engine noise
(alternator
whine)

Check that speaker leads are not shorted to the vehicle chassis.

Check that the RCA grounds are not shorted to the vehicle chassis/
Check that the head unit is properly grounded.

SYMPTOM POSSIBLE REMEDY

Specifications

P7.3FLIP • P8F • P8FLIP User’s Manual - page 11

All specifications subject to

change without notice.

RMS POWER

into 4 Ohms

RMS POWER

into 2 Ohms

MAX POWER

into 2 Ohms

THD

at 1 watt, 4 Ohms

THD

at rated power

Signal-to-noise ratio

below rated power

Frequency response

Damping factor

at 20Hz, 4 Ohms

Input sensitivity (pull)

Input sensitivity (push)

Input impedance

Line output impedance

Crossover range

low pass

Subsonic (high pass)

Bass boost

Phase control

Peak current consumption

at rated power into 1 Ohm

Fuse rating

Dimensions

300W x 1

525W x 1

900W x 1

0.3%

0.5%

105dB

20Hz-20kHz

400

100mV-2V

2V-8V

10K-ohms

100 Ohm

50Hz-150Hz, 24dB/octave

15Hz-60Hz, 24dB/octave

0 - +18dB

0º or 180º

175A

20A x 3

8" x 2-1/2" x 11-1/8"

ZR900.1

MODEL

CLASS D MonoBlock Amplifier