Kenwood KAC-PS501F User manual

KAC-PS501F

4-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

English

Safety precautions

Installation procedure

Since there are large variety of settings and

connections possible according to applications,

read the instruction manual well to select the

proper setting and connection.

1.Remove the ignition key and disconnect the

negative -terminal of the battery to

prevent short circuits.

2.Set the unit according to the intended usage.

3.Connect the input and output cables of the

units.

4.Connect the speaker cables.

5.Connect the power cable, power control

cable and grounding cable following this

order.

6.Install the unit in the car.

7.Connect the negative -terminal of the

battery.

• Be sure to turn the power off before

changing the setting of any switch.

• If the fuse blows, check cables for shorts,

then replace the fuse with one of the same

rating.

• Check that no unconnected cables or

connectors are touching the car body. Do

not remove caps from unconnected cables

or connectors to prevent short circuits.

• Connect the speaker cables to appropriate

speaker connectors separately. Sharing the

negative cable of the speaker or grounding

speaker cables to the metal body of the car

can cause this unit to fail.

• After installation, check that the brake

lamps, winkers, and wipers work properly.

2CAUTION

To prevent injury or fire, take the following

precautions:

• When extending the ignition, battery, or

ground cables, make sure to use automotive-

grade cables or other cables with a 10 mm2

(AWG8) [5 mm2(AWG10) ×2] or more to

prevent cable deterioration and damage to

the cable coating.

• To prevent a short circuit, never put or leave

any metallic objects (such as coins or metal

tools) inside the unit.

• If the unit starts to emit smoke or strange

smells, turn off the power immediately and

consult your Kenwood dealer.

• Do not touch the unit during use because the

surface of the unit becomes hot and may

cause burns if touched.

To prevent damage to the machine, take the

following precautions:

• Be sure the unit is connected to a 12V DC

power supply with a negative ground

connection.

• Do not open the top or bottom covers of the

unit.

• Do not install the unit in a spot exposed to

direct sunlight or excessive heat or humidity.

Also avoid places with too much dust or the

possibility of water splashing.

• When replacing a fuse, only use a new one

with the prescribed rating. Using a fuse with

the wrong rating may cause your unit to

malfunction.

• To prevent a short circuit when replacing a

fuse, first disconnect the wiring harness.

• If you experience problems during

installation, consult your Kenwood dealer.

• If the unit does not seem to be working right,

consult your Kenwood dealer.

Cleaning the unit

If the front panel gets dirty, turn off the power

and wipe the panel with a dry silicon cloth or

soft cloth.

Do not wipe the panel with a hard cloth or a

cloth dampened by volatile solvents such as

paint thinner and alcohol. They can scratch the

surface of the panel and/or cause the indicator

letters to peel off.

Accessories

2CAUTION

NOTE

2CAUTION

2WARNING

Part name Number of

Items

External

View

Terminal cover

(Power terminal) 1

Self-tapping screws

(ø5 ×18 mm) 4

English

Installation

• Since the power amplifier has no parts which require operation, it can be installed at a position

away from the driver’s seat without any hindrances.

As generally accepted positions for its installation, places such as inside the trunk, etc. can be

considered.

• Use the extension cables. (Optional.)

• Do not install the unit under the carpet. Otherwise heat build-up occurs and the unit may be

damaged.

• Install this unit in a location which allows heat to easily dissipate.

Once installed, do not place any object on top of the unit.

• The surface temperature of the amplifier will become hot during use. Install the amplifier in a

place where people, resins, and other substances that are sensitive to heat will not come into

contact with it.

• This unit has cooling fans to decrease the internal temperature. Be careful not to block the

cooling fan openings when installing the unit. Blocking these openings will inhibit the cooling of

the internal temperature and result in malfunction.

• When making a hole under a seat, inside the trunk, or somewhere else in the vehicle, check

that there is nothing hazardous on the opposite side such as a gasoline tank, brake pipe, or

wiring harness, and be careful not to cause scratches or other damage.

• Do not install near the dashboard, rear tray, or air bag safety parts.

• The installation to the vehicle should securely fasten the unit to a place in which it will not

obstruct driving. If the unit comes off due to a shock and hits a person or safety part, it may

cause injury or an accident.

• After installing the unit, check to make sure that electrical equipment such as the brake lamps,

turn signal lamps and windshield wipers operate normally.

2CAUTION

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Installation board, etc.

(thickness : 15 mm or more)

Self-tapping screw

CA-2SL CA-12SL CA-22SL CA-52SLRCA cable

CA-3WL CA-13WL CA-23WL CA-53WLRCA cable (ø7mm)

CA-5W CA-15W CA-25W CA-45W CA-65WRCA cable (ø12mm)

0.5m 1m 2m 4m 5m 6m

Type Length

Cooling fan

Air inlet

Exhaust outlet

English

Controls

This is a 4 channel amplifier including 2 stereo amplifiers in a body. One amplifier is referred to

as amplifier A and the other is amplifier B. This unit is compatible with a large variety of

systems by combining the switches and functions described in the following.

LINE IN

P.CON EXT.AMP.CONT.

GND

MONO

LINE OUT

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC FILTER OPERATION

OFF

0.2

0.5

BB AA +

(MAX)(MIN)

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FREQ (Hz) FREQ (Hz)

OFF

LPF

OFF

HPF MONO

STEREO

FILTER

LPF

OFF

HPF

OPERATION

MONO

STEREO

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

INPUT SELECT

CONTROL

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

0.2

0.5

10050

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

CONTROL

LEFT

BRIDGED

RIGHT

SPEAKER OUTPUT

FUSE(20A×4)

BATT.

GND

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC FILTER OPERATION

OFF

0.2

0.5

(MAX)(MIN)

FREQ (Hz)

LPF

OFF

HPF MONO

STEREO

INPUT SELECT

CONTROL

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

1 42 3

7896 0!

Fuse (20 A

Battery terminal

Ground terminal

Amplifier A speaker output

terminals

Amplifier B speaker output

terminals

❖

SPEAKER OUTPUT terminals

• Stereo Connections:

When you wish to use the unit as a stereo

amplifier, stereo connections are used.

The speakers to be connected should

have an impedance of 2Ωor greater.

When multiple speakers are to be

connected, ensure that the combined

impedance is 2Ωor greater for each

channel.

• Bridged Connections:

When you wish to use the unit as a high-

output monaural amplifier, bridged

connections are used. (Make connections

to the LEFT channel (+) and the RIGHT

channel (-) SPEAKER OUTPUT terminals.)

The speakers to be connected should

have an impedance of 4Ωor greater.

When multiple speakers are to be

connected, ensure that the combined

impedance is 4Ωor greater.

The rated input of the speakers should be

no less than the maximum output of the

amplifier. Otherwise malfunction may

result.

RCA cable ground lead terminal

Amplifier A LINE IN terminal

Amplifier B LINE IN terminal

LINE OUT terminal

These jacks output respectively the signals

input to amplifiers A and B. They always

output the stereo signals regardless of the

position of the OPERATION switch.

Power control terminal

EXT.AMP.CONT. (external

amplifier control) terminal

This controls the B.M.S. (See P.6).

2CAUTION

LO PASS

50 50200 200

HI PASS

LO PASS

50 50200 200

HI PASS

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FILTEROPERATION

OFF

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FREQ (Hz)

OFF

LPF

OFF

HPF

MONO

STEREO

FILTER

LPF

OFF

HPF

OPERATION

MONO

STEREO

INPUT SELECT

0.2

0.5

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

0.2

0.5

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

@#$%&^ *

#1 #2

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

10050

#1 When FILTER is set to LPF, the sound is monaural (L+R).

#2 When INFRASONIC is set to 15Hz or 25Hz, the sound is monaural (L+R).

* Note that if OPERATION is set to MONO, Lch is still monaural.

Block diagram

INPUT SELECTOR switch

This switch selects the input method of the

signals to be amplified by amplifiers A and

• A B position:

Amplifies both of the signals input to

amplifiers A and B.

• A position:

Amplifies only signal input amplifier A with

both amplifiers A and B.

INPUT SENSITIVITY control

Adjust this control according to the pre-out

level of the centre unit connected to this

amplifier.

The sensitivities of amplifiers A and B can

be adjusted independently regardless of the

position of the input selector switch.

Refer to “Specifications” on the centre

unit’s instruction manual about the pre-out

level.

OPERATION switch

The amplification methods of the signals

input to amplifiers A and B can be selected

independently according to the setting of

this switch.

• STEREO position:

The amplifier can be used as a stereo

amplifier.

• MONO (Lch) position:

Amplifies the signal input from the left side

only. Set to this position and make bridged

connections to use as a high-power

monaural amplifier. (The input right signal is

not output.)

FILTER switch

This switch allows to apply high-pass or

low-pass filtering to the speaker outputs.

• HPF (High-Pass Filter) position:

The filter outputs the band of higher

frequencies than the frequency set with the

HPF FREQUENCY control.

• OFF position:

The entire bandwidth is output without

filtering.

• LPF (Low-Pass Filter) position:

The filter outputs the band of lower

frequencies than the frequency set with the

LPF FREQUENCY control.

The speaker output is automatically turned

monaural (L+R) and the bass boost function

is activated.

HPF FREQUENCY control

Sets the cutoff frequency when the FILTER

switch is set to HPF.

LPF FREQUENCY control

Sets the cutoff frequency when the FILTER

switch is set to LPF.

INFRASONIC FILTER switch

When this switch is set to 15 Hz or 25 Hz,

frequencies below the setting value will be

cut. This serves to get rid of unwanted

vibrations that do not result in sound and

improves the speakers’ ability to reproduce

sound. Note that the speaker output will

automatically be set for monaural (L+R)

sound.

NOTE

English

AIR

INDUCTION

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

FILTER

FREQUENCY

POWER

COOLING FAN

OPERATION

PROTECTION

OPEN

LOW VOLTAGE

B.M.S.

CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

LO PASS

50 50200 200

HI PASS

LO PASS

50 50200 200

HI PASS

FILTER

FREQUENCY

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FREQ (Hz)

OFF

FILTER

LPF

OFF

HPF

OPERATION

MONO

STEREO

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

0.2

0.5

10050

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

CONTROL

English

B.M.S. (Bass Management System)

AIR

INDUCTION

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

FILTER

FREQUENCY

POWER

LINE IN

P.CON EXT.AMP.CONT.

GND

MONO

LINE OUT

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC FILTER OPERATION

OFF

0.2

0.5

BB AA +

(MAX)(MIN)

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FREQ (Hz) FREQ (Hz)

OFF

LPF

OFF

HPF MONO

STEREO

FILTER

LPF

OFF

HPF

OPERATION

MONO

STEREO

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

INPUT SELECT

CONTROL

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

0.2

0.5

10050

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

CONTROL

CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

COOLING FAN

OPERATION

PROTECTION

OPEN

LOW VOLTAGE

B.M.S.

OPERATION

PROTECTION

OPEN

LOW VOLTAGE

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

10050

■

If the unit is not going to be operated from the outside:

B.M.S. switch

This boosts the bass, focusing mainly on

the frequency setting determined using the

B.M.S. FREQUENCY control.

The bass boost applies only to the B

amplifier.

• (REMOTE) OPEN/CLOSE or

(REMOTE) B.M.S. position:

When the switch is in this position, the

bass is not boosted.

• B.M.S. (+6) position:

When the switch is in this position, the

bass is boosted by 6dB.

The B.M.S. indicator glows.

B.M.S. FREQUENCY control

When the B.M.S. switch is set to the

B.M.S. (+6) position, this control can be

used to adjust the central frequency that

you want to emphasise.

OPEN/CLOSE button

Each time you press this button, the slide

panel either opens or closes.

• If the slide panel meets an obstacle whilst

sliding, the slide operation will be halted. If

this happens, remove the obstacle and then

press the OPEN/CLOSE button again.

• If the centre unit power is switched OFF, or

the vehicle engine is switched OFF, whilst

the slide panel is open, the slide panel will

then close automatically. The next time the

power is turned ON or the vehicle engine is

turned ON, the slide panel will return to its

original open state.

• If the B.M.S. switch setting is changed to

(REMOTE), the slide panel will close in

preparation for remote operation, even if the

EXT.AMP.CONT. terminal is not connected.

Take care not to allow your finger or any other

object to be trapped by the slide panel whilst

it is sliding.

2CAUTION

NOTE

B.M.S. indicator

Slide panel

Bass boost +6dB (ON)

Operations using the

OPEN/CLOSE button

Slide panel

Bass boost Flat (OFF)

Operations using the

OPEN/CLOSE button

English

■

If the unit is going to be operated from the centre unit:

The amount of bass boost and the opening/closing of the slide panel can be controlled from

the centre unit. Additionally, up to 3 power amplifiers can be set at the same time.

Kenwood centre units released in 1999 or later having an “EXT.AMP.CONT.” cable operate

this unit. Instructions on how to operate the centre unit will be found in the instruction manual

supplied with the centre unit.

NOTE

B.M.S. switch

This switch is used to select the range of

control operations that can be carried out

from the centre unit.

The bass boost only applies to the B

amplifier.

When the bass boost is switched ON, the

B.M.S. indicator glows.

• (REMOTE) OPEN/CLOSE position:

When the switch is in this position, only the

opening/closing of the slide panel can be

controlled from the centre unit; the bass

cannot be boosted.

• (REMOTE) B.M.S. position:

When the switch is in this position, any of

the three bass boost settings — FLAT,

+6dB and +12dB — can be selected from

the centre unit. If "+6 dB" or "+12 dB" is

selected, the slide panel will open.

• B.M.S. (+6) position:

When the switch is in this position, the

bass is boosted by 6dB, regardless of any

operation carried out from the centre unit.

B.M.S. FREQUENCY control

This control allows you to use the B.M.S. to

adjust the central frequency that you want

to emphasise.

OPEN/CLOSE button

• When the B.M.S. switch is in the B.M.S.

(+6) position, the slide panel will open or

close each time the button is pressed.

• When the B.M.S. switch is set to the

(REMOTE) position, the centre unit will

control the slide panel.

If you want to adjust the control inside the

slide panel, you can open/close the slide

panel temporarily by pressing the

OPEN/CLOSE button.

• If the slide panel meets an obstacle whilst

sliding, the slide operation will be halted. If

this happens, remove the obstacle and then

press the OPEN/CLOSE button again.

• When the B.M.S. is in the (REMOTE)

position, and control operations are carried

out on the centre unit, the slide panel will

return to the status set on the centre unit

even if it is opened/closed using the

OPEN/CLOSE button.

• If the centre unit power is switched OFF, or

the vehicle engine is turned OFF, when the

slide panel is open, the slide panel will

automatically close.

When the power is turned back ON, or

when the vehicle engine is turned ON, the

slide panel will carry out an action

depending on the setting status of the

B.M.S. switch, as follows.

*If the B.M.S. switch is in the (REMOTE)

position, the slide panel will obey the

setting on the centre unit.

*If the B.M.S. switch is in the B.M.S. (+6)

position, the slide panel will return to its

original open state.

Take care not to allow your finger or any other

object to be trapped by the slide panel whilst

it is sliding.

2CAUTION

NOTE

Slide panel

Bass boost

Centre unit

setting status

Flat (OFF)

OPEN

AMP

BASS

AMP

BASS

Flat

AMP

BASS

+12

Slide panel

Bass boost

Centre unit

setting status

+6dB

(ON)

Flat

(OFF)

OPEN

+12dB

(ON)

AMP

BASS

AMP

BASS

Flat

AMP

BASS

+12

Slide panel

Bass boost

Centre unit

setting status

+6dB (ON)

Operations using the

OPEN/CLOSE button

AMP

BASS

AMP

BASS

Flat

AMP

BASS

+12

English

Indicator

AIR

INDUCTION

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

LOPASS

50 50200 200

HIPASS

FILTER

FREQUENCY

POWER

COOLING FAN

OPERATION

PROTECTION

OPEN

LOW VOLTAGE

B.M.S.

CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

COOLING FAN

OPERATION

PROTECTION

OPEN

LOW VOLTAGE

B.M.S.

POWER indicator

This indicator glows when the unit's power

is turned ON.

COOLING FAN indicator

When the unit's internal temperature rises,

the side fan is activated. If the internal

temperature rises even further, the slide

panel opens automatically, and the cooling

fan on the top is activated.

Whilst the top cooling fan is in operation,

the COOLING FAN indicator blinks.

OPERATION/PROTECTION

indicator

This indicator glows when the power

comes ON normally.

If the PROTECTION function is activated,

the indicator blinks or goes out.

LOW VOLTAGE indicator

This indicator glows when the power

voltage falls below 11V (volts).

If the power supply voltage returns to full

after a voltage drop, this indicator will blink

to alert the user that a voltage drop has

occurred.

The number of blinks indicates the number

of times the voltage has dropped (up to a

maximum of 10).

B.M.S. indicator

This indicator glows when the bass boost is

turned ON using the B.M.S. (See P.6).

If indicators 2to 5light up in succession or

blink in unison, the system is in DEMO mode.

If this happens, cancel DEMO mode by

pressing the OPEN/CLOSE button.

■

PROTECTION function

This unit incorporates a protection function

which protects the main unit and speakers

from troubles. The unit stops to function

when the protection function is activated.

• When the

OPERATION/PROTECTION indicator

blinks:

• A speaker cable may be short-circuited.

• A speaker output may be in contact with

the ground.

• The temperature of the internal parts may

be higher than 120°C (248°F)

• The fuse of this unit may be blown.

• The unit may be malfunctioning and

sending DC signal to the speaker output.

• When the POWER indicator and the

OPERATION/PROTECTION function

both go out:

• The fuse of this unit may be blown.

• When the LOW VOLTAGE indicator

glows or blinks:

• Is the battery exhausted?

• The car battery has a small capacity.

• If the battery cable is too thin or too long,

it will not be able to supply enough

power.

• Is the battery cable deteriorated?

NOTE

English

Connection

■

Power cable connection

To prevent fire caused by a short in the wiring, connect a fusible link or breaker nearby the battery’s

positive terminal.

Wiring

• If a buzzing noise is heard from the speakers when the engine is running, connect a line noise filter

(optional) to each of the battery cable.

• Do not allow the cable to directly contact the edge of the iron plate by using Grommets.

• Connect the ground cable to a metal part of the car chassis that acts as an electrical ground

passing electricity to the battery‘s negative -terminal. Do not turn the power on if the ground

cable is not connected.

• Please be sure to install a protective fuse in the power cable, near the battery. Use a fuse which

has a capacity about 10A higher than the capacity of the fuse in the unit.

• For the power cable and the earth cable, use (flame-resistant) power wiring cables for in-car use.

For the power cable, use a power wiring cable with a current capacity about 10A higher than the

capacity of the protective fuse (about 20A higher than the capacity of the fuse in the unit).

• When more than one power amplifier are going to be used, use a power supply wiring cable and

protective fuse of greater current-handling capacity than the total maximum current drawn by each

amplifier.

2WARNING

Example: One Power Amplifier Is Used

90 A 30 A 30 A 30 A

30 A

LEFT

BRIDGED

RIGHT

SPEAKER OUTPUT

FUSE(20A×4)

BATT.

GND

Terminal cover

Battery

Ground cable *

Battery cable *

Protective

Fuse

Power terminal

* : Commercially available parts

Lead terminal *

Power terminal

Pass battery and ground cables through supplied terminal cover and connect to respective

terminals. After completing connections, fasten terminal cover over terminal bracket.

Fuse capacity

80 A

Protective Fuse

90 A ×1 [30 A ×3]

Cross-sectional Area of Wiring

Cable (AWG)

10 mm2(AWG 8) or greater ×1

English

LINE IN

P.CON EXT.AMP.CONT.

GND

MONO

LINE OUT

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC FILTER OPERATION

OFF

0.2

0.5

BB AA +

(MAX)(MIN)

25Hz

15Hz

INFRASONIC

FREQ (Hz) FREQ (Hz)

OFF

LPF

OFF

HPF MONO

STEREO

FILTER

LPF

OFF

HPF

OPERATION

MONO

STEREO

B.M.S.

FREQ(Hz)

B.M.S.

(

OPEN/ B.M.S.

(REMOTE)

INPUT SELECT

CONTROL

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

0.2

0.5

10050

(MAX)(MIN)

INPUT SENSITIVITY(V)

CONTROL

GND

■

RCA cable connection

CENTRE UNIT

(Cassette receiver,

CD receiver, etc.)

RCA cable *

RCA cable ground terminal

When using an RCA cable with a ground lead attached, connect the ground lead to this

terminal.

Do not use this terminal for power source grounding. This unit will be damaged if the power

source grounding cable is connected to this terminal.

2CAUTION

Front output

Rear output

ALeft input BLeft input

Connection

RCA cable ground terminal

Power control cable

(To Power control terminal)

ARight input BRight input

■

Speaker Selection

• The rated input power of the speakers that are going to be connected should be greater than

the maximum output power (in Watts) of the amplifier. Use of speakers having input power

ratings that are less than the output power of the amplifier will cause smoke to be emitted as

well as damage.

• The impedance of the speakers that are going to be connected should be 2Ωor greater (for

stereo connections), or 4Ωor greater (for bridged connections). When more than one set of

speakers are going to be used, calculate the combined impedance of the speakers and then

connect suitable speakers to the amplifier.

Examples:

Stereo Connections (4

Ω

) Bridged Connections (4

Ω

)

200 W or greater 600 W or greater

200W

(4Ω)

4 Ω

200W

(4Ω)200W

(4Ω)

4 Ω4 Ω

200W

(2Ω)100W

(8Ω)100W

(8Ω)

200W

(2Ω)

Maximum output of

the amplifier Combined

impedance Rated input power and

impedance of the speakers

* : Commercially available parts

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