RockGhost V2: How To Set Up, WIre & Install

Introduction

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up your Rockville Rock Ghost V2 Powered Car Subwoofer. This subwoofer is designed to fit inside your spare tire, making it an ideal space-saving solution. The installation is straightforward, and we’ll cover everything from mounting the subwoofer to wiring it to your vehicle’s electrical system.

What’s Included:

• Rock Ghost V2 Subwoofer
• Wire harness with all necessary connections
• Wiring kit
• Remote control

Compatibility:

The subwoofer is designed to fit inside most spare tire compartments. However, it will not be compatible if your spare tire is located outside your vehicle, such as in some Jeep models.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Mounting the Subwoofer in Your Spare Tire

1. Locate Your Spare Tire – Depending on your vehicle, this may be in the trunk or center console area.
2. Remove the Spare Tire Fastening Screw – Unscrew the bolt securing your spare tire in place.
3. Position the Subwoofer – Place the Rock Ghost V2 subwoofer in the center of the spare tire.
4. Secure the Subwoofer
   • Use the provided long screw and feed it through the holes in the subwoofer and spare tire.
   • Tighten the screw to lock it in place.
   • If the screw does not catch, use the adapter piece provided in the kit. Place the adapter on the other side of the spare, then feed the long screw through the subwoofer, spare tire, and adapter before tightening.

Tip: It’s recommended to complete the wiring before fully securing the subwoofer in place.

2. Connecting the Wiring

Powering the Subwoofer

1. Connect the Wire Harness – Plug the harness into the designated port on the subwoofer.
2. Run the Power Wires
   • Locate the power (red), ground (black), and remote (blue) wires from the harness.
   • Connect the power wire (red) to the 12V battery in your vehicle.
   • Connect the ground wire (black) to a metal chassis ground point.
   • Connect the remote wire (blue) to your accessory ignition or head unit’s remote turn-on output.
3. Extend Wires If Needed – Use the included wire extensions to ensure the cables reach from the rear of your vehicle to the battery.

Optional: You can solder or use butt connectors to secure the wiring connections.

Connecting to Your Head Unit

You have two options to connect the subwoofer to your car’s head unit:

• RCA Inputs (Preferred Method)
  • Use the included RCA cables to connect the subwoofer to the RCA outputs of your head unit.
• High-Level Inputs (Alternative Method)
  • If your head unit does not have RCA outputs, use the high-level input wire on the subwoofer.
  • Connect it to the high-level output wire on your head unit using the included speaker wire.

3. Installing the Remote Control

1. Plug in the Remote – Connect the remote control to the remote input port next to the wire harness.
2. Run the Remote Wire – Route the remote control cable to the front of the vehicle, allowing for easy access while driving.

4. Adjusting the Audio Settings

Setting the Gain Properly

1. Turn Up the Volume on Your Head Unit – Raise it almost to the maximum, just before distortion occurs.
2. Adjust the Gain Knob on the Remote
   • Turn the gain up until the subwoofer starts to distort, then lower it slightly to eliminate distortion.
   • This sets the maximum volume level for your subwoofer.

Using the Other Remote Controls

• Bass Boost Knob – Adds up to 12dB of extra bass for a deeper low-end response.
• Low Pass Filter Knob – Controls the frequency range of the subwoofer.
  • Example: Setting it at 100Hz allows only frequencies 100Hz and below to be played.
• Phase Switch – Adjusts the phase between 0° and 180° to ensure the subwoofer aligns with your main speakers.

Tip: Experiment with the low-pass filter and phase switch to get the best bass response for your specific car interior.

5. Final Checks

1. Turn on the Vehicle – Ensure the subwoofer receives power.
2. Check the LED Indicators
   • Power LED – Lights up when the subwoofer is functioning properly.
   • Protect LED – Indicates a wiring issue or other malfunction.
3. Test the Sound – Play music and fine-tune the gain, bass boost, and low-pass filter as needed.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why isn’t my subwoofer turning on?

• Check if the power and ground wires are securely connected.
• Ensure the remote wire is properly connected to the head unit’s turn-on output.
• Verify that the fuse is intact on the power wire.

Q: Why is my subwoofer going into protect mode?

• Check for loose or incorrect wiring.
• Make sure the subwoofer isn’t overheating due to prolonged use at high volume.
• Ensure your gain settings aren’t too high, causing distortion or excessive power draw.

Q: My bass sounds weak—how do I fix it?

• Adjust the gain and bass boost settings on the remote.
• Try flipping the phase switch between 0° and 180° to see if it improves bass response.
• Make sure your low-pass filter is set correctly for your setup.

Conclusion

Setting up your Rockville Rock Ghost V2 Powered Car Subwoofer is a straightforward process. By following these steps, you can achieve powerful and clean bass without sacrificing trunk space. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section for quick fixes.