Russound WALTX-2 User manual

WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
WALTx-2
Instruction Manual
Weatherproof Volume Control

Product Overview
The WALTx-2 Weatherproof Volume Control is designed to provide volume control
for outdoor or wet locations and can be mounted on an exterior wall or hard, flat
surface, as well as directly on a section of 3/4" PVC conduit. The WALTx-2 provides
superior protection against moisture from rain, splash or sauna.
The WALTx-2 connects between the speaker outputs of an amplifier or receiver and a
pair of speakers. The 1X setting allows the volume control to be used as a standard
control. The 2X, 4X, and 8X settings allow it to be used as an UltraMatch™ control
when more than one pair of speakers is connected to the same amplifier.
The UltraMatch™ volume control provides a method of matching the minimum
output impedance of the amplifier or receiver, in addition to adjusting volume. It
eliminates the need for a speaker selector or impedance matching equipment. The
WALTx-2 adjusts volume level by attenuating the amplifier signal output of the
WALTx-2 to the speakers.
All Russound Volume Controls are manufactured using a high-quality autoformer
design which provides long life, excellent frequency response, no heat build-up, and
maximum power transfer from the amplifier to the speakers.
All Russound WALTx-2 volume controls conform to UL Standard 1492 First Edition,
and for Canada Certified to CSA Standard 22.2 No. 1-M94. This certification assures
that your WALTx volume control has been designed and tested for safety.
Determining the Proper Jumper Setting for Impedance Matching
The jumpers must be set in a position that correctly multiplies the impedance of the
system to a level that is equal to or greater than the impedance of the amplifier. The
jumper setting can be determined using the following simple steps:
1. Determine the amplifier's minimum impedance. The amplifier's minimum
impedance is usually found following Wattage and Frequency Response in the
amplifier's specification page of the manual. It may also be listed on the back
panel of the amplifier near the speaker terminals. AC impedance is measured
in ohms.
2. From Fig. 1 identify the correct impedance-matching chart according to the
amplifier's minimum impedance. There are two impedance matching charts,
one for 8-ohm amplifiers and one for 4-ohm amplifiers. Choose the chart that
describes your amplifier. If your amplifier is 6-ohm stable, use the 8 ohm chart.
2

3. Determine the impedance for each pair of speakers connected to the amplifier
by referring to its manual.
4. Determine the total number of 4-ohm pairs of speakers. (Rows on charts)
5. Determine the total number of 8-ohm pairs of speakers. (Columns on charts)
6. Follow the appropriate row and column to determine jumper settings.
012345678910111213141516
0-1X1X 2X 2X 4X 4X 4X 4X 8X 8X 8X 8X 8X 8X 8X 8X
11X2X2X4X4X4X4X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X
22X4X4X4X4X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X
34X4X4X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X
44X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X
58X8X8X8X8X8X8X
68X8X8X8X8X
78X8X8X
88X
012345678
0-1X2X 4X 4X 8X 8X 8X 8X
12X4X4X8X 8X 8X 8X
24X8X8X8X8X
38X8X8X
48X
Impedance Matching For 4 Ohm Amplifiers
Impedance Matching For 8 Ohm Amplifiers
8 Ohm Pairs
4 Ohm Pairs
4 Ohm Pairs
8 Ohm Pairs
Example: The table to the right shows
an 8-ohm minimum impedance
amplifier with 1 pair of 4-ohm speakers
and 3 pair of 8ohm speakers. The chart
indicates the jumper setting should be
set at 8X.
3
Figure 1 Impedance Matching Charts For UltraMatch™

Once the jumper setting has been determined, set the jumpers to the appropriate
positions, either 2X, 4X, or 8X, as shown in Fig. 2.
Considerations
1. Make sure that your amplifier has adequate wattage for the number of
speakers. Watts per channel divided by the number of pairs should equal or
exceed the individual speaker’s minimum wattage requirements.
2. You must use an UltraMatch™ volume control for each pair of speakers.
3. Every jumper setting must be set on the same setting throughout the system.
4. A minimum speaker load of 4 ohms can be connected to the output of each
UltraMatch™ volume control.
4
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
8X
4X
1X-2X
2X-4X-8X
1X
1X
2X
4X
8X
Figure 2 Jumper Settings On Circuit Boards

EZB Connecting Blocks
The EZB-1 and EZB-2 connecting blocks are Russound accessories that simplify con-
nections of multiple volume controls and speaker pairs. The EZB-1 is a neat, compact
wiring device capable of connecting four volume controls to an amplifier's outputs.
The EZB-2 expands the EZB-1 to another four volume controls. Multiple EZB-2's can
be used to expand the system to sixteen volume controls (using a 4-ohm amp and
8-ohm speakers).
Wiring Instructions
(Refer to Figure 3 on page 6)
1. Connect the leads from the amplifier’s outputs to the connector labeled input.
The wires should stay consistent, left + of the amplifier to left + input of the
volume control, observing polarity and identification.
CAUTION: Do not reverse the input and output connections!!
CAUTION: A majority of receivers are designed to operate at a rating of
8 ohms. On receivers that offer A and B speaker outputs, both A and B
connections share the same amplifier. It is important to note, due to the way
many receivers are wired, that when using impedance matching devices, such
as UltraMatch™ volume controls, it is recommended to wire only to the A
output. If you have any questions contact Russound directly.
2. As outlined in step #1, connect the speaker wires to the connector labeled
output.
3. Install the completed assembly in an 18-ci single-gang junction box. Insert
carefully to avoid excessive strain on the connector. Taking the time to feed the
excess wire out the back of the junction box will help you with the final
assembly.
5

6
SPEAKERS SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
INPUT
SPEAKERS
R+
INPUT
R- L- L+
R+ R- L- L+
OUTPUT
TO OTHER VOLUME CONTROLS
TO OTHER
VOLUME
CONTROLS
AMP / Receiver
Input
EZB-1
(OPTIONAL)
Output
Speaker
Pair
Figure 3

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WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
Figure 4
Installation Instructions
1. Select a suitable location for the WALTx-2. The
WALTx-2 can be mounted to a hard surface
(Fig. 4) or can be placed directly onto 3/4" PVC
conduit (Fig. 5). Do not permanently mount the
WALTx-2 until you have completed installation
steps 2 - 6. Make sure that the WALTx-2 can be
accessed easily with the intended mounting
position.
2. Run all outdoor wires through 3/4" PVC conduit.
Wiring to the speakers can be made by branch-
ing off the volume control's conduit using
T-junctions, or by running a separate line of
conduit from the interior of the home. See Fig. 5
for typical system wiring.
3. Wire the WALTx-2 as described in the Wiring
Instructions section.
4. Be sure to test the WALTx-2 and speaker opera-
tion before attempting to secure the PVC junc-
tions (see Operation Instructions). Also be
sure to test the integrity of your wire connections
since all of the connections will be permanently
sealed in the conduit.
5. Once the system has been tested and you are
sure that the connections are secure, seal the
conduit using PVC adhesive. Be sure that all
PVC junctions and terminations are watertight.
Blowing into the open end of the conduit is one
way to help find possible leaks. If the conduit
loses pressure, there is probably a leak.
NOTE: Insufficient sealing at any point of the conduit
network may cause moisture to build up inside the
WALTx-2 Volume Control. This may cause malfunction if
corrosion occurs.
6. If the WALTx-2 is to be mounted to a hard sur-
face, such as an exterior wall, use four screws
and appropriate mounting anchors to perma-
nently mount it.

8
Operation Instructions
1. Make sure the amplifier/receiver is turned OFF and the volume is set to
minimum.
2. If you are using a Russound speaker selector system, locate the ON/OFF
button which corresponds to the speaker pair you wish to play. Set the button
to the ON position.
3. Set the WALTx-2 volume to maximum (fully clockwise).
4. Turn on the amplifier or receiver and select a music source, such as tuner or
CD player.
5. Slowly turn up the amplifier or receiver volume and set it to a comfortable (not
maximum) listening level. Be careful not to overdrive your amplifier. If the
sound becomes distorted, you have reached the limit of your amplifier's
volume capability and should quickly reduce the volume to avoid damaging
your speakers.
NOTE: If the volume control’s autoformers get warm or vibrate, turn the
amplifier/receiver down. If the amplifier is driven to this “clipping” state, it and/or the
volume control may become damaged.
6. You can turn OFF the speakers by turning the knob on the WALTx-2 fully
counterclockwise, or by pressing the corresponding ON/OFF button on your
speaker selector.

WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
WEATHERPROOF
VOLUME CONTROL
Figure 5
3/4” PVC
UNDERGROUND
CONDUIT
RECEIVER/AMPLIFIER
9
14-GAUGE
SPEAKER WIRE
OB-6.1 Speakers
WALTx-2
EXTERIOR WALL

Specifications
Power rating /channel: 126 watts power handling, 42 watts RMS continuous
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz, +1 / -0.5 dB at rated power
Attenuation: 12 steps, including "Off"
43dB total attenuation
Wire Size: Maximum wire size of 12 AWG
Case: Weatherproof PVC plastic sealed case
10

Warranty Repair
The Russound WALTx-2 Volume Control is covered by a Limited lifetime Warranty
against defects in materials and workmanship. During this period, Russound will
replace any defective parts and correct any defect in workmanship without charge for
either parts or labor.
For this warranty to apply, the unit must be installed and used according to its written
instructions. If service is necessary, it must be performed by Russound. The unit must
be returned to Russound at the owner's expense and with prior written permission.
Accidental damage and shipping damage are not considered defects, nor is damage
resulting from abuse or from servicing by an agency or person not specifically autho-
rized in writing by Russound.
This Warranty does not cover:
• Damage caused by abuse, accident, misuse, negligence, or improper installation or operation
•Power surges and lightning strikes
•Normal wear and maintenance
•Products that have been altered or modified
•Products whose identifying number, decal, serial number, etc. has been altered, defaced or
removed
Russound sells products only through authorized Dealers and Distributors to ensure
that customers obtain proper support and service. Any Russound product purchased
from an unauthorized dealer or other source, including retailers, mail order sellers and
online sellers will not be honored or serviced under existing Russound warranty policy.
Any sale of products by an unauthorized source or other manner not authorized by
Russound shall void the warranty on the applicable product.
Damage to or destruction of components due to application of excessive power voids
the warranty on those parts. In these cases, repairs will be made on the basis or the
retail value of the parts and labor. To return for repairs, the unit must be shipped to
Russound at the owner's expense, along with a note explaining the nature of service
required. Be sure to pack the unit in a corrugated container with at least three (3) inch-
es of resilient material to protect the unit from damage in transit.
Before returning a unit for repair, call Russound at [phone] for a Return
Authorization number. Write this number on the shipping label and ship to: Russound,
ATTN: Service,5 Forbes Road, Newmarket, NH 03857
Due to continual efforts to improve product quality as new technology and techniques
become available, Russound/FMP, Inc. reserves the right to revise system specifications
without notice. 11

5 Forbes Rd. Newmarket, NH 03857, USA
☎ 603.659.5170 • Fax [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Come visit us at:
28-0085