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XL-50 High Power Trunk-Mount
Stereo Amplifier
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ˆ Features
Your RadioShack High-Power Trunk-Mount
Stereo Amplifier produces a total of 50 watts
to give added punch and power to your vehi-
cle’s existing auto sound system.
Auto-Off
— temporarily shuts down the am-
plifier to protect the amplifier from overheat-
ing, output channel shorts, or input
overloads. The amplifier restarts automati-
cally when it cools or the problem is correct-
ed.
The amplifier produces up to 25 watts per
channel of clean, powerful sound at all audio
frequencies with minimum distortion. You
can connect your auto sound system’s low-
level or speaker-level outputs to this amplifi-
er.
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO
KNOW
Your amplifier might cause TV or radio inter-
ference even when it is operating properly.
To determine whether your amplifier is caus-
ing the interference, turn off your amplifier. If
the interference goes away, your amplifier is
causing it. Try to eliminate the interference
by:
Its features include:
14K Gold-Plated Speaker Terminals
— de-
signed for low impedance, high conductivity,
and minimum corrosion, to provide the high-
est signal transfer and lowest sound distor-
tion.
• Moving your amplifier away from the
receiver
High- or Low-Level Input Signal-Compati-
ble
— accepts either high-level (speaker)
• Contacting your local RadioShack store
for help
or low-level (pre-amplifier) input signals, to
match your stereo system’s output for the
best performance.
Input Level Control
— lets you adjust the
level of the audio signals that enter the am-
plifier.
Automatic Power Switching
— can auto-
matically turn the amplifier on or off when
you turn your auto sound system on or off
(depending on how you hook up the amplifi-
er).
Power Indicator
— lights when power is
supplied to the amplifier.
Short Circuit Protection
— distorts the am-
plifier’s sound if any output channel shorts,
alerting you to turn off the auto sound sys-
tem.
3
Features
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ˆ Preparation
SUPPLIED HARDWARE
Your amplifier comes with the following items. Be sure you locate everything shown before you
store or dispose of the packing materials.
Power Wire (Red) (1)
Ground Wire (Black) (1)
Remote Wire (Blue/White) (1)
Flat Washers (4)
4-Pin Connector with Wire (1)
Sheet Metal Screws (4)
Twist-On
Terminal
Connectors (4)
Lock Washers (4)
Also, be aware that installation in your vehi-
cle might require cutting or modifying your
vehicle.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE
INSTALLATION
Before you install your amplifier, read all the
instructions in this owner’s manual. You
should be able to answer all of these ques-
tions about your vehicle’s electrical and auto
sound systems.
Choosing a Mounting Location
A good location for mounting the amplifier is
in your vehicle’s trunk. Wherever you decide
to mount it, choose a mounting location that:
• Does my vehicle have an auto sound
system, such as a car stereo or CD
player, already installed? (You must
have an existing auto sound system to
use this amplifier.)
• Does not interfere with the vehicle’s
operation
• Lets you drill mounting holes without
damaging other vehicle components
• How do I connect a wire to the fuse box?
• Allows enough space around the cooling
fins for proper airflow and cooling
• Which of the auto sound system’s wires
is the power wire?
• Lets you easily see the amplifier’s
POWER indicator
• Which of the auto sound system’s termi-
nals are low-level outputs and which are
high-level (speaker) outputs?
4
Preparation
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Warning:
The amplifier gets very hot while it
Then test the connections. When you con-
firm that everything works as expected, dis-
connect the amplifier, mount it in your
vehicle, and reconnect it.
is on. Do not touch the amplifier or place
flammable objects near it.
Preparing the Mounting Area
Caution:
If you do not make the connections
in the order shown, damage to the amplifier
and your auto sound system is possible if
any wire connections are made incorrectly.
In addition to the supplied hardware, you
need these materials:
• an adapter harness
• additional wire
Note:
For easier installation, mark each wire
you plan to connect with the name of the ter-
minal you will connect it to.
• shielded audio cables
BEFORE YOU MAKE THE
CONNECTIONS
• 16- or 18-gauge marked or color-coded
wire.
The supplied connection cables include all
the lead wires you need to connect the am-
plifier to ground, power, and your existing
auto sound system.
Confirm that the amplifier fits in your vehi-
cle’s available mounting area. This amplifier
requires a 51/2-inch high by 93/4-inch wide by
6-inch deep (13.9 × 23.5 × 15.3 cm) mount-
ing area.
Important:
Routing Cables and Wires
• Do not cut any of the supplied wires. If
you cut any wire, you cannot obtain a
refund or exchange on this product.
However, RadioShack will provide war-
ranty service if you cut a wire and find
the product is defective.
Avoid routing the connection cables and any
speaker wires near moving parts or sharp
edges. You can usually route wires and ca-
bles along the wiring channel beneath the
vehicle’s door facings by carefully removing
the molding that holds the carpet in place. Af-
ter routing the cables and wires, replace the
molding.
• If the connectors on your vehicle’s auto
sound system are not compatible with
the amplifier’s connectors, you might
need an adapter harness to complete
the connections. Your local RadioShack
store has adapter harnesses for most
vehicles.
INSTALLATION ORDER
For trouble-free installation, simply follow the
sections in this owner’s manual in order.
First, make all the connections temporarily
by connecting the amplifier to:
You might need additional wire, depending
on your individual auto sound system, to
complete the connections. Your local Ra-
dioShack store has a variety of wire and wire
accessories.
1
2
3
Ground and power
Your auto sound system’s outputs
Your speakers
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Preparation
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Cautions:
channel). Each speaker must have an
impedance of at least 4 ohms. Your local
RadioShack store has a large variety of
speakers.
• For added safety and to protect your
amplifier and auto sound system, dis-
connect the cable from your vehicle’s
–
negative ( ) battery terminal before you
begin.
To make it easier to gauge wire length and
connect the amplifier, temporarily place the
amplifier as close as possible to the selected
mounting location.
• Be sure your speakers can handle as
much as 50 watts of power (25 watts per
CONNECTING GROUND AND SWITCHED/PRIMARY POWER
Blue/White
AMP Remote Turn On
Black
Vehicle’s Battery
Chassis
Ground
Switched Power Lead
Auto Sound System
Follow these steps to connect the amplifier to
ground, switched power, and primary power.
insulated from the chassis by a plastic
part.
1. If you have not done so already, discon-
nect the cable from your vehicle’s nega-
4. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade
end of the supplied blue/white wire to
–
REM
(remote power) ter-
tive ( ) battery terminal.
the amplifier’s
minal.
2. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade
end of the supplied black ground wire to
5. If your auto sound system has
a
GND
switched power lead
, connect the blue/
the amplifier’s
(ground) terminal.
white wire’s other end to your auto
sound system’s switched power lead
using one of the supplied twist-on termi-
nal connectors.
3. Connect the black ground wire’s other
end to a chassis ground, such as a
metal bolt attached to a metal part of the
vehicle’s frame. Be sure the bolt is not
6
Preparation
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This connection turns on the amplifier
when you turn on the auto sound sys-
tem, and turns off the amplifier when
you turn off the auto sound system. This
prevents your vehicle’s battery from
being drained if you leave your amplifier
on when you turn your auto sound sys-
tem off.
when you turn your auto sound system
off.
6. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade
end of the supplied red power cable
(with in-line fuse holder) to the ampli-
+ 12V
fier’s
terminal.
7. Connect the other end of the red power
cable to your vehicle’s positive (+) bat-
tery terminal as shown. Then tighten the
terminal.
If your auto sound system does not have
a switched power lead, connect the
blue/white wire’s other end to a point in
your vehicle’s fuse block that has power
only when you turn on the ignition or turn
the key to ACC.
Caution:
Due to the amplifier’s high cur-
rent requirement, you must connect the
red power cable’s fused end directly to
the vehicle’s positive (+) battery terminal
or damage to your vehicle’s wiring could
result.
This connection turns on the amplifier
when you turn on the ignition or turn the
key to ACC, and turns off the amplifier
when you turn off the ignition. This pre-
vents your vehicle’s battery from being
drained if you leave your amplifier on
Do not reconnect your vehicle’s negative (–)
battery cable yet.
ˆ Connecting Inputs
colored insulation for each conductor.
Your local RadioShack store has a wide
selection of speaker wire.
PREPARING THE SPEAKER
WIRES
You can connect two or four speakers to the
amplifier and your auto sound system.
• For the maximum bass response and
the best overall performance, keep your
speakers properly phased (connect +
to + and – to –).
Caution:
You must connect a separate wire
to each speaker terminal as described in the
following procedures. Unless your auto
sound system’s speakers use a common
ground wire, do not use a common wire or
chassis ground for speaker connections.
1. With the speakers placed in their
approximate locations, run one wire
from each speaker to the amplifier.
2. Separate each wire’s two conductors at
both ends for a length of about 4 inches.
Notes:
• We recommend you use 16- or 18-
gauge marked or color-coded wires to
help you correctly connect the speakers
to your amplifier.
3. Strip the insu-
lation from the
ends of each
Conductors
1/4
Inch
conductor to
expose
1/4
• Color-coded wires have a stripe running
down one of the conductors or different
4 Inches
7
Connecting Inputs
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inch of wire. Twist the ends to secure
loose strands.
HIGH-LEVEL (SPEAKER
WIRE) INPUTS
If your auto sound system does not have
low-level line out jacks but has only speaker
outputs, connect your auto sound system’s
LOW-LEVEL INPUTS
You can connect your auto sound system’s
LOW
HIGH IN-
speaker outputs to the amplifier’s
low-level line out jacks to the amplifier’s
INPUT
PUT
jacks.
jacks.
If your auto sound system does not have
low-level line out jacks, see “High-Level
(Speaker Wire) Inputs” to connect your am-
plifier.
If your auto sound system has two speaker
outputs, see “Two Speaker Outputs” on
Page 9 to connect your system’s speaker
outputs to the amplifier using either a floating
or common ground connection.
Note:
For the best results, use shielded au-
dio cables (not supplied) available at your lo-
cal RadioShack store.
If your auto sound system has four speaker
outputs, see “Four Speaker Outputs” on
Page 10 to connect your system’s speaker
outputs to the amplifier using either only the
rear speakers or two amplifiers to connect
both the front and rear speakers.
1. Temporarily place the amplifier as close
as possible to the selected mounting
location.
2. Connect one end of a shielded audio
cable to the auto sound system’s left line
out jack.
Note:
A floating ground connection lets the
amplifier provide more power to each speak-
er, but requires that you connect a separate
wire to each speaker terminal. A common
ground connection lets you use fewer wires
to connect the speakers to the amplifier, but
reduces the amount of power supplied to the
speakers from the amplifier.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to
LOW INPUT LEFT
the amplifier’s
jack.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to connect the
auto sound system’s right line out jack to
LOW INPUT RIGHT
the amplifier’s
jack.
Use the supplied wire harness and the sup-
plied twist-on terminal connectors to make
the appropriate connections.
Left
Right
Auto Sound System
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Connecting Inputs
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Two Speaker Outputs
Floating Ground Connection
White/Black
Gray/Black
Auto Sound System
Common Ground Connection
Auto Sound System
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Connecting Inputs
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Four Speaker Outputs
Rear Speaker Connection
White/Black
Gray/Black
Right Front
Speaker
Left Front
Speaker
Auto Sound System
Front and Rear Speaker Connection
Rear
Front
White/Black
Gray/Black
White/Black
Gray/Black
Auto Sound System
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Connecting Inputs
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CONNECTING SPEAKERS
Right Speaker
Left Speaker
1. Use a screwdriver to connect the left
speaker’s positive (+) wire to the ampli-
3. Repeat Steps 1–2 to connect the right
speaker’s positive (+) and negative (–)
SPEAKER L (+)
SPEAKER R (+)
wires to the amplifier’s
fier’s
terminal.
SPEAKER R (–)
and
terminals.
2. Use a screwdriver to connect the left
speaker’s negative (–) wire to the ampli-
SPEAKER L (–)
fier’s
terminal.
ˆ Completing the Installation
If you cannot quickly confirm whether the
auto sound system and amplifier are working
TESTING THE
CONNECTIONS
turn off your vehicle’s ignition
properly,
and disconnect the cable from your vehi-
Before you continue, make sure you have
securely made all connections. Then recon-
cle’s negative (–) battery terminal.
Then
recheck your connections.
–
nect the cable to the vehicle’s negative ( )
battery terminal.
After you test the auto sound system and
amplifier and verify that everything is proper-
ly connected and working, follow the instruc-
tions in “Mounting the Amplifier” on Page 12.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
Set
on the side of the am-
plifier to its mid position (see “Adjusting the
Audio Level” on Page 13). Then turn on your
vehicle’s ignition and auto sound system to
confirm that the amplifier and auto sound
system operate properly. The amplifier turns
on after a few seconds.
11
Completing the Installation
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MOUNTING THE AMPLIFIER
Sheet Metal Screw
Lock Washer
Flat Washer
9/64-Inch Mounting Holes
Once you verify that the amplifier is connect-
ed properly, follow these steps to mount it.
5. Secure the amplifier to the mounting
surface using the supplied sheet metal
screws and washers.
1. Disconnect the cable from the vehicle’s
negative (–) battery terminal.
6. Reconnect the wiring.
2. To make mounting more convenient,
temporarily disconnect the amplifier’s
connections (ground, primary power,
remote power, your auto sound system’s
input, and speakers).
7. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle bat-
tery’s negative (–) terminal.
8. Reset your vehicle’s clock, your auto
sound system’s tuner memory, and
other timer/memory devices.
Note:
If you have not already done so,
be sure to mark each wire with the name
of the terminal you will reconnect it to.
3. Using the mounting holes on the ampli-
fier as a guide, mark the positions for the
mounting holes.
4. Drill 9/64-inch (3.57 mm) holes at the
marked locations, being careful not to
damage anything behind the mounting
surface.
12
Completing the Installation
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ˆ Operation
LEVEL (MIN/
1. Use a screwdriver to turn
TURNING ON THE
AMPLIFIER
MAX)
MIN
.
fully counterclockwise to
The amplifier automatically turns on a few
seconds after you turn your vehicle’s ignition
switch to ACC or ON or turn on your auto
sound system, depending on how you wired
POWER
the system. The
indicator on the side
of the amplifier lights when the amplifier is
on.
2. Turn up the auto sound system’s volume
control to about one-third of its full
range.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
3. Adjust
to a comfort-
POWER
Indicator
able listening level.
4. Turn up the auto sound system’s volume
control until the sound begins to distort.
Then immediately turn the volume down
to a point just before where the distor-
tion began.
Important:
Your amplifier requires 5 amps or
more of power from your vehicle’s battery
during operation. To protect your battery
from discharging, do not operate the amplifi-
er unless your vehicle is running.
Caution:
Never turn up the auto sound
system’s volume control more than
needed to adjust the audio level, or
more than two-thirds of its maximum vol-
ume.
Note:
Your amplifier temporarily shuts down
if it gets too hot, then restarts automatically
once it cools.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
5. Adjust
until the sound
is at the maximum level you want the
amplifier to produce.
ADJUSTING THE AUDIO
LEVEL
6. Adjust the auto sound system’s volume
control to a comfortable listening level.
For the best performance, you must set
LEVEL (MIN/MAX) on the amplifier to adjust
the level of the audio signals that enter
the amplifier.
13
Operation
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ˆ Troubleshooting
Symptom
Possible Cause
Power problem.
Suggestion
No power — the amplifier’s
POWER indicator does not light
after the vehicle’s auto sound
system is turned on
Check the amplifier’s and auto
sound system’s fuses and
replace them if necessary (see
“Replacing a Fuse” on
Page 15).
Vehicle’s ignition not turned on. Start the vehicle.
Amplifier not connected to auto Check all connections.
sound system/vehicle correctly.
No sound
Auto sound system not turned
on or volume set to minimum.
Turn the auto sound system on
or adjust its volume.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
controls set to minimum.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
.
Amplifier’s
Adjust
Amplifier not connected to auto Check all connections.
sound system/vehicle correctly.
The amplifier might have shut
down.
Turn your auto sound system off
and let the amplifier cool. Make
sure the amplifier is properly
ventilated. Then turn your auto
sound system back on. The
amplifier turns itself back on
when it is cooled.
The amplifier detected an input
overload. Reduce the auto
sound system’s volume.
Power problem.
Check the amplifier’s and auto
sound system’s fuses and
replace them if necessary (see
“Replacing a Fuse” on
Page 15).
Distorted sound
The amplifier might be receiving Reduce your auto sound sys-
too much input power from your tem’s output power (if possi-
auto sound system.
ble), or reduce the auto sound
system’s volume.
An output channel might have
shorted.
Turn off your auto sound system
then turn it back on.
The amplifier might have shut
down.
Turn off your auto sound system
and let the amplifier cool. Make
sure the amplifier is properly
ventilated. Then turn your auto
sound system back on. The
amplifier turns itself back on
when it is cooled.
14
Troubleshooting
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ˆ Care
To enjoy your amplifier for a long time:
2. Push together and twist the fuse
holder’s parts on the red power cable
until they spring apart. Then remove the
fuse.
• Keep the amplifier dry. If it gets wet,
wipe it dry immediately.
• Use and store the amplifier only in nor-
mal temperature environments.
• Handle the amplifier gently and care-
fully. Do not drop it.
Fuse
• Keep the amplifier away from dust and
dirt.
3. If the fuse is blown, replace it. Use only
an SFE-type fuse with the proper rating.
The fuse must be 7.5 amps.
• Wipe the amplifier with a damp cloth
occasionally to keep it looking new.
4. Reassemble the fuse holder by inserting
the fuse into the longer of the fuse
holder’s ends, and pushing together and
twisting the two parts until they latch
together.
Modifying or tampering with the amplifier’s
internal components can cause a malfunc-
tion and might invalidate its warranty and
void your FCC authorization to operate it. If
your amplifier is not performing as it should,
take it to your local RadioShack store for as-
sistance.
5. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle’s
negative (–) battery terminal.
REPLACING A FUSE
Replacing the Blade-Type Fuse
If the amplifier does not operate, you might
need to replace the red power cable’s 7.5-
amp SFE-type fuse or the 7.5-amp blade-
type fuse on the amplifier’s back panel.
Check both fuses.
1. Disconnect the cable from the vehicles
negative (–) battery terminal.
2. Grasp the fuse’s plastic end and pull it
out.
Important:
Let the amplifier cool down and
see if it starts again before you assume a
fuse needs to be replaced.
Caution:
Do not use a fuse with ratings other
than those specified. Doing so might damage
your amplifier.
3. If the fuse is blown, replace it. Use only
a blade-type fuse with the proper rating.
The fuse must be 7.5 amps.
Replacing the SFE-Type Fuse
4. Grasp the new fuse’s plastic end and
push it in.
1. Disconnect the cable from the vehicle’s
negative (–) battery terminal.
5. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle’s
negative (–) battery terminal.
15
Care
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ˆ Specifications
10% THD Output Power @ 14.4 VDC 1kHz .................................................................................. 25 Watts
Frequency Response ................................................................................................ 20–20,000 Hz (±3 dB)
Input Impedance ....................................................................................................................... 11.5 KOhms
Input Sensitivity (for 10% THD Output Power)
Low Input .................................................................................................................................. 150 mV
High Input ..................................................................................................................................... 2.5 V
Power Supply Voltage ...................................................................................... 14.4 VDC Negative Ground
Speaker Impedance ..........................................................................................................................4 Ohms
Maximum Current Draw ....................................................................................................................... 7.5 A
Dimensions (HWD) .......................................................................................................... 2 × 9 × 65/8 Inches
(5.2 × 2.3 × 16.9 cm)
Net Weight ........................................................................................................................................ 2.25 lbs
(1.02 kg)
Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications are subject to change and improve-
ment without notice.
Limited One-Year Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal
use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack
franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES
AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTIC-
ULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES
CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPON-
SIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR
DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING
OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPE-
CIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POS-
SIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as
proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a)
correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the same
or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is
made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in the perfor-
mance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original
warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the war-
ranty period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of God, abuse, accident, mis-
use, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration, light-
ning or other incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack
Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation,
shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
12/99
05A00
12-2013
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