Rockford Fosgate Platinum RFX8240, Platinum RFX8250 Installation & Operation Manual

RFX8240
RFX8250

Installation &
Operation

Source Units

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Dear Customer,

Congratulations on your purchase of the world’s finest brand of car audio source units. At Rockford
Fosgate we are fanatics about musical reproduction at its best, and we are pleased you chose our
product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand craftsmanship and critical testing procedures,
we have created a wide range of products that reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you
deserve.

For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate product installed
by an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized training through Rockford
Technical Training Institute (RTTI). Please read your warranty and retain your receipt and original
carton for possible future use.

Great product and competent installations are only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to your
system. Make sure that your installer is using 100% authentic installation accessories from
Connecting Punch in your installation. Connecting Punch has everything from RCA cables and
speaker wire to power line and battery connectors. Insist on it! After all, your new system deserves
nothing but the best.

To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford accessories,
which include everything from T-shirts and jackets to hats and sunglasses.

To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford accessories,
in the U.S. call 480-967-3565 or FAX [phone].
For all other countries, call +001-480-967-3565 or FAX [phone].

PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™

Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels over 100dB may cause permanent

hearing loss. High powered auto sound systems may produce sound pressure

levels well over 130dB. Use common sense and practice safe sound.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Precaution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

Contents of Carton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Installation Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Mounting Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wiring the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ISO-DIN Mount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Source Unit Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

NOTE: Review each section for more detailed information.

If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product, we recommend that
you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you need further assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800­669-9899. Be sure to have your serial number, model number and date of purchase available when
you call.

The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in the space provided
below as your permanent record. This will serve as verification of your factory warranty and may
become useful in recovering your unit if it is ever stolen.

Serial Number: _________________________________________

Model Number: ________________________________________

Operation-Basic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10

Reset Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Power ON/OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Clock Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Operation-Tuner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Operation-CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

PRECAUTIONS

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Visit our web site for the latest information on all Rockford products.

GETTING STARTED

Welcome to Rockford Fosgate! This manual is designed to provide
information for the owner, salesperson and installer. For those of you who want quick information
on how to install this product, please turn to the Installation Section of this manual. Other
information can be located by using the Table of Contents. We, at Rockford Fosgate, have worked
very hard to make sure all the information in this manual is current. But, as we are constantly
finding new ways to improve our product, this information is subject to change without notice.

NOTE: This manual uses abbreviations for the following terms:
TUNER = AM/FM Radio Tuner

CDP = In-Dash CD Player
AUX = External Auxiliary Input (Model 8250 only)

www.rockfordfosgate.com

This symbol with “WARNING” is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important instructions. Failure to heed the
instructions will result in severe injury or death.

This symbol with “

CAUTION” is intended to alert the user to the

presence of important instructions. Failure to heed the
instructions can result in injury or unit damage.

CAUTION: To prevent injury and damage to the unit, please read and follow the

instructions in this manual. We want you to have enjoyment from this
system, not a headache.

CAUTION If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself, have it installed

by a qualified Rockford Fosgate technician.

CAUTION Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to

prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.

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SOURCE UNIT

Operating Temperature

Be sure the temperature inside the vehicle is between –10° C and +65° C (+14°F and
+149°F). DO NOT play a disc if the temperature is higher or lower than the operating range.

Moisture Condensation

The CD playback may waver due to condensation. If this occurs, remove the disc from the
source unit and wait approximately an hour for the moisture to evaporate.

Environment Exposure

DO NOT expose the Source Unit to any of the following: direct sun and heat, high humidity,
excessive dust, excessive vibration and rain or water.

+65°C

–10°C

Due to mounting needs, it is strongly recommended that you have this unit installed by a qualified
technician. Instructions have been provided to connect and install your unit. However, due to the
variety of brackets and mounting options used, only the mounting screws have been provided with
this unit.

Also, this unit has been specifically designed to be used with an external amplifier with RCA input
connections for the best quality performance.

CAUTION: Before permanent installation, ensure the transport screw at the top of

the unit has been removed, otherwise problems may occur during play.

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PRECAUTIONS

INSTALLATION

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CONTENTS OF CARTON

Either a model 8240 or 8250 Source
unit

Installation & Operation Manual

Hardware Package

16-pin Power Harness

Handling the Detachable Faceplate

DO NOT drop or cause shock to the faceplate as serious damage may occur. Protect the
faceplate by storing it in the supplied carrying case.

Avoid Mechanical Malfunction

DO NOT grab a disc while it is being automatically loaded into the source unit. Doing this
may cause serious damage to the playback mechanism and/or damage to the disc.

COMPACT DISCS

Disc Handling and Care

DO NOT touch the playing side (opposite of label side) of the disc. When handling the disc,
only the outer edges or center hole of the disc should be touched. DO NOT affix any sticker
or label to the disc. DO NOT apply vinyl record spray, anti-static agent, acetone, or any
other volatile chemicals to the disc.

Damaged Disc

DO NOT play a cracked, warped, or damaged disc. Doing this may cause serious damage
to the playback mechanism.

New Discs

The CD player will eject discs that have either been inserted incorrectly or have irregular
surfaces. If a new disc is ejected after loading, feel around the outer edge of the CD and its
center hole. Any small burrs or irregularities could inhibit proper loading of the disc. To
remove the burrs, rub the inside edge of the hole and outside edge of the disc with an object
such as a ball point pen.

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LIQUID SWORD INC.

NOTICE

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INSTALLA

TION

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a list of tools needed for installation:

Volt/Ohm Meter

Wire strippers

Wire crimpers

Wire cutters

#2 Phillips screwdriver

Battery post wrench

Hand held drill w/assorted bits

1/8" diameter heatshrink tubing

Assorted connectors

Soldering iron

Solder

Heat gun

This section focuses on some of the vehicle considerations for installing your new Source Unit. Pre­planning your system layout and best wiring routes will save installation time. When deciding on
the layout of your new system, be sure that each component will be easily accessible for making
adjustments.

CAUTION: If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself, have it installed

by a qualified technician.

CAUTION: Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to

prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.

Before beginning any installation, follow these simple rules:

1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before attempting to install the Unit.

2. For safety, disconnect the negative lead from the battery prior to beginning the installation.

3. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to mounting your Source Unit in place.

4. Route all of the RCA cables close together and away from any high current wires.

5. Use high quality connectors for a reliable installation and to minimize signal or power loss.

6. Think before you drill! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks, fuel lines, brake or hydraulic
lines, vacuum lines or electrical wiring when working on any vehicle.

7. Never run wires underneath the vehicle. Running the wires inside the vehicle provides the best
protection.

8. Avoid running wires over or through sharp edges. Use rubber or plastic grommets to protect any
wires routed through metal, especially the firewall.

9. ALWAYS protect the battery and electrical system from damage with proper fusing. Install the
appropriate fuse holder and fuse on the +12V power wire within 18” (45.7 cm) of the battery
terminal.

10. When grounding to the chassis of the vehicle, scrape all paint from the metal to ensure a good,

clean ground connection. Grounding connections should be as short as possible and always be
connected to metal that is welded to the main body, or chassis, of the vehicle.

MOUNTING LOCATIONS

The mounting position of your source unit will have a great effect on the performance of your in­dash CD Player. The source unit can be installed in a wide range of operating locations. However,
care should be taken to ensure optimum performance.

Engine Compartment

Never mount this unit in the engine compartment. Mounting the unit in the engine compartment
will void your warranty.

Instrument Panel

Mounting the source unit in the instrument panel provides optimum access. The source unit should
be securely mounted using the “ISO-DIN Mount” method to ensure optimum CD Player
performance.

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