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Installation Instructions
Below is a very abbreviated set of installation instructions. This is not meant as a step-by-step procedure, but is intended
to give you a general idea of what is involved in installing this amp and the order in which the process should be
completed. Every installation will be different and may require reordering of these steps.
•
NEVER install the fuse at the battery or connect the negative battery cable until all the connections have been
finalized.
• Before you start, disconnect the negative cable from any and all batteries in the vehicle. Tape up or secure the ground
lead so it is isolated from the battery.
•
Run an appropriate gauge power wire from the battery to the amplifier. Plan this part of the installation carefully. This
cable will carry large amounts of current. Should this wire short to the body of the vehicle and not be properly fused, it
could easily cause a fire.
•
Always use a rubber or plastic grommet when ruining power wires through the firewall or any metal surface.
• Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse that is capable handling the total current requirements of all
amplifiers or devices connected to the wire. In cases where multiple amplifiers share a common power wire, ensure
each device has proper protection with a fuse. The fuses built-in to the ARC Audio X2-Series amplifiers satisfy this
need. Processors, lighting, etc. will require dedicated fuses for safe operation.
•
Locate the vehicle protection fuse as close as possible to the battery. If the fuse is further than 18 inches (wire length)
from the battery, you should re-evaluate the wire routing and fuse placement. Ideally, the fuse should be within a few
inches of the positive battery terminal.
• Find the closest clear metal area to the amp for a the ground connection. Sand, grind or scrape all paint and
undercoating from the body and use a nut, bolt and lock washer to secure the wire in place. If your vehicle uses Quiet
Steel, composite body panels or may have been assembled using adhesives rather than spot welds, add a parallel
ground between the ground location in the vehicle and the negative terminal of the battery to ensure proper power
delivery.
•
Run the speaker wires to the speakers. It is advised that you leave some extra wire at this point. You can clean it up
later.
• If you haven’t already done so, mount the amp now.
•
Connect the power and ground cables to the amplifier.
• Only after this step should you install the fuse at the battery or batteries. Reconnect the negative battery lead at this
point.
•
Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier.
•
Turn the amp on for the first time. Make sure it turns on properly and does not go into protection.
•
Turn the system off and finish connecting the speaker wires to the amplifiers and speakers. Make sure the polarity (+
and -) is correct.
• Connect the RCA signal wires to the amp.
•
Double check the amplifier controls at this time. Make sure everything is set correctly based on your system design.
•
Now you’re ready to play it for the first time. It is best to leave the gains all the way down at first. Start with the head
unit volume low and work your way up.
•
Now you can tune the amp. Take your time and make only one adjustment at a time. It may take some time to get the
system adjusted for our choice of speakers and subwoofers. Be patient.
• Any time the system is on, large amounts of current may be drawn from the battery. Monitor the battery voltage
carefully and charge it thoroughly if it gets low.
•
That’s it! You’re done. Now have fun!