INSTALLATION BASICS
5
SETTING THE CONTROLS:
AUDIO PREAMP INPUT
The Flash Series amplifiers feature RCA pre amp inputs. Run RCA cables from your sound
source to the inputs of the amplifier. We suggest the use of high quality shielded RCA patch
cords to help reduce and eliminate unwanted electrical noise to your system.
Be sure to run the RCA cables on the opposite side of the vehicle that you used to carry the
power and ground leads of the amplifier.
USING THE BUILT-IN LOW PASS ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER
All the Flash Series amplifiers feature 12dB per octave fully adjustable low-pass and high
pass electronic crossovers.
For Low Pass sub woofer systems, set the CROSSOVER MODE switch to LOW PASS. Now
the knob marked FREQUENCY will control the low pass frequencies from 30Hz to 250Hz.
A frequent error made is setting the low pass frequency too low, especially when using
vented sub woofer enclosures. We recommend that for most installations you do not set the
frequency knob lower than 80 - 100Hz (the 12 o’clock position).
When using the amplifiers for component speakers or co-axials, you will want to set the
CROSSOVER MODE switch to HIGH PASS. The FREQUENCY control knob adjusts the high
pass frequencies between 30Hz and 300Hz. Do not attach tweeters directly to the amplifier,
(even in the high pass mode) without a secondary passive crossover to protect them. 250Hz
high pass is not a frequency high enough for tweeters.
SUBSONIC FILTERING
For sub woofer installations with a passive LP crossover, you can set the amplifier’s
CROSSOVER MODE selector to HIGH PASS while setting the FREQUENCY KNOB to 30Hz, this
will act as SUBSONIC FILTER for all signals below 30Hz. This is especially useful for vented
enclosures where the port tuning frequency falls below the sub woofer tuning frequency to
protect against sub woofer unloading.
REMOTE TURN ON CONNECTION:
The remote turn on connection is located on the barrier strip next to the power and ground
connections. This connection is responsible for turning the amplifier on and off with the rest of the
system. A smaller gauge wire can be used to make this connection to your radio’s power antenna
lead. Should your system not have any turn on leads, you can wire the remote terminal to an
accessory lead, which turns on, with your cars ignition.
POWER/GROUND WIRING:
The Flash Series amplifiers are supplied with built-in fuses, never replace the fuse that the amp came
with, with one of a larger value.
We suggest you construct a Red wiring harness with 2 additional fuses. One fuse should be located
near the car battery. This fuse near the battery offers protection against damage from short circuits
to the car chassis between the battery and the amplifier. A second fuse closer to the amplifier offers
additional safety to the amplifier itself. This fused red power wire should be attached to the amplifier
power terminal marked
12V+.
The wire harness should be made of red primary cable of at least 8 gauge for the F200-2 and at
least 4 gauge for all other larger models. The harness should terminate in a large ring terminal for
connection directly to the positive terminal of the car battery. Use a spade plug to attach the wire,
which connects to the amplifier location marked
12V+.
A second black color wire of equal gauge should be used as a ground connection to a welded chassis
member. When connecting the ground wire make sure that there is no paint or other insulator
blocking a good ground connection. When installing multiple amplifiers, mount them in close
proximity so that they can all share the same ground point. Attach the black ground wire to the
amplifier screw terminal marked
Ground.
We recommend that you use the Cadence AMPKIT4 or AMPKIT8 amplifier installation kits, which
contains all the cabling and accessories necessary for a good, reliable installation.
Over the years we have received amplifiers back to our service department with melted power/
ground terminals. The cause of this is a bad ground connection. When there is a lack of good ground,
heat builds up at the weakest point which happens to be the contact screw of the amplifier terminal.
Over time the heat generated will begin to melt the terminal. It is a good practice to feel the power
and ground wires with your hands, near their amplifier connection after having played the amp for
a while. If the wires feel hot to the touch you probably have a bad or loose connection. If you are sure
of your connections and the wires still feel hot to the touch, you should upgrade the gauge of wire
to next heaviest gauge.
Summary of Contents for Flash F100-5
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