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TROUBLESHOOTING A SYSTEM

The key to finding the problem in a misbehaving sound system is to isolate parts of that system in a logical fashion to track down the fault.

Description of the Diagnostic system built into all HIFONICS amplifiers

The diagnostic system will shut down the amplifier, until reset by turning the head unit off, and back on. This state of affairs will be indicated by the front panel 
PROTECT LED lighting up under the following conditions:
1 - A sort circuit on the loudspeaker leads.
2 - An internal amplifier fault that causes a DC offset on the loudspeaker output.

Should the amplifier go into diagnostic mode, simply disconnect all RCA and speaker leads, while k12 volt, power ground and remote leads connected. 
1. Now turn the amplifier back on, and if the diagnostic LED lights, the amplifier has an internal fault.
2. If not, plug the RCA cables back, and reset the amplifier. If it goes into diagnostic now, the fault lies in the input, either with bad cables or source unit.
3. If the amplifier seems ok with RCA cables plugged in, connect the speakers, one at a time, and if one of speaker or its wiring is faulty, it will activate the diagnostic 
system.
4. If the amplifier is still in Protection mode after the above steps, remove all RCA’s and wires from the amplifier. Take a 12” length of speaker wire, trim the plastic
off of each end exposing the wire. Now connect one end of the wire to  on the amplifier and connect the other to the Ground on the amplifier. You will have
a brief spark indicating that the Capacitors have been discharged and the drivercard has been reset. Remove the jumper wire and reconnect your Power, Ground
and Remote wires. Attempt to power the amplifier up like normal. In some cases this can Reset the amplifier if permanent damage has not previously been done.

Amplifier heatsink  overheating

The amplifiers will shut down when the heatsink temperature reaches 80 degrees centigrade, and turn back on once the unit has cooled down below that point.

Causes of overheating:

1 - Inadequate cooling - relocate or remount to provide better natural airflow over the fins.
2 - Driving high power levels into low impedances - back off on the volume control, and/or make sure you are not loading the amplifier with less than the 
recommended loudspeaker impedance.
3 - Excessive voltage drop can also cause overheating. 

Low output power

1 - Check that level controls have been set up properly.
2 - Make sure that the battery voltage, as measured at the amplifier’s +12 volt and ground terminals, is 11 volts or more.
3 - Check all +12 volt and ground connections.

Fuses blowing

1 - The use of loudspeaker impedances below the recommended minimums will draw more current - check.
2 - A short on the main +12 volt cable from the battery to the vehicle chassis will cause the main fuse to blow.
3 - If an amplifier fuse blows continually, with only +12 volt, ground and remote leads connected, the amplifier may be faulty.

System does not turn on

1 - Check all fuses.
2 - Check all connections.
3 - Measure the +12 volt and remote turn on voltages at the amplifier terminals. If these are non existent or low, take voltage measurements at fuse holders, 
distribution    blocks, the head unit’s +12 volt and remote leads to localize the problem.
4 - If the HIFONICS lettering is illuminated but you do not have Power or Protection illuminated, simply remove your remote wire and use a jumper wire from 12V+
on the amplifier to the Remote connection on the amplifier. If the amplifier powers on like normal then you do not have adequate voltage/amperage from your Remote
source to turn your amplifier on. You will need to seek out a certified installer to install a relay for your amplifier. If the jumper does not power your amplifier on, you 
may have internal damage and should contact Hifonics Customer Service to locate an Authorized Repair Center.

Noise problems

System noise can be divided into two categories, hiss, and electrical interference.

Hiss, or white noise:

1 - High levels of white noise usually occurs when amplifier level controls are turned up too high - readjust according to the procedures in section 

”Setting up systems after 

installation for best performance”

2 - Another major problem that can cause excessive hiss, is a noisy head unit - unplug the amplifier input RCA cables, and if the hiss level reduces, the source unit is at fault.

Electrical interference:

The inside of an automobile is a very hostile electrical environment. The multitude of electrical systems, such as the ignition system, alternator, fuel pumps, air conditioners, 
to mention just a few, create radiated electrical fields, as well as noise on the +12 volt supply and ground. Remember to isolate the problem - first unplug amplifier input RCA 
cables, if the noise is still present, check the speaker leads, if not, plug the RCA’s back, and investigate the source driving the amplifier, one component at a time.

A ticking or whine that changes with engine RPM:

1 - This problem could be caused by radiation pickup of RCA cables too near to a fuel pump or a distributor, for instance, - relocate cables.
2 - Check that the head unit ground is connected straight to the vehicle chassis, and does not use factory wiring for ground.
3 - Try to supply the head unit with a clean +12 volt supply directly from the b, instead of using a supply from the in dash wiring/fusebox.

A constant whine:

This type of noise can be more difficult to pinpoint, but is usually caused by some kind of instability, causing oscillations in the system.
1 - Check all connections, especially for good grounds.
2 - Make sure that no speaker leads are shorting to exposed metal on the vehicle chassis.
3 -RCA cables are notorious for their problematic nature, so check that these are good, in particular the shield connections.

Содержание BRUTUS BRX1200.4

Страница 1: ...BRX BRX160 2 BRX320 4 BRX640 4 BRX1200 4 BRX5000 5 ...

Страница 2: ...arger than the ground lug at the connection point Drill a clearance hole in the chassis the same size as the lug hole and use a bolt spring washer and nut to securely fasten the ground lug Use petroleum jelly to coat the bolt lug connection to prevent oxidization with time TIP Use the same approach when installing head units equalizers or any audio equipment for that matter run short individual gr...

Страница 3: ...l5 Inaddition the4channelmodelshaveaModeswitchwhichallowsyoutoselect2 4or5channeloperation Switchto2channelifyouonlyhave1setofRCA sinCH1 2andtheunitwillautomatically supply signal to channels 2 4 5 Select 4 channel if you are providing RCA s to channels 1 2 and 3 4 and signalwillbeinternallyroutedtoCh5 Select5ifyouaresupplyingRCA stoeachINPUT TheX OVERslideswitchselectstheinternalcrossoverfunction...

Страница 4: ...uilt into a head unit or equalizer If you only have 1 set of RCA Refertothesection Settingupsystemsafterinstallationforbestperformance outputs from your headunit you can simply connect those to the inputs for ch 1 2 and switch the MODE to MONO The amplifier will auto sum the signal and Minimumfinalloudspeakerimpedances provide mono output for bridged channels 1 2 once the X OVER is switched to 2oh...

Страница 5: ...rfrequencycontrolchecklist Here we show how to use the 4 channel amplifiers as a 3 channel unit by taking Channels1 2 advantageofthemonobridgingcapabilityofallHifonicsamplifiers HIPASS N A The following example shows how to create a 3 channel system by mono LOWPASS 11o clock bridging channel pair 1 2 In order to create a 2 channel system simply follow theexampletoalsomonobridgechannelpair3 4 Chann...

Страница 6: ...3 4 UsinggoodqualityRCAcables feedthefrontandrearoutputsofaheadunitto HIPASS 100Hz theinputsofthe4channelamplifierasshown LOWPASS N A AlsoconnecttheLINEOUTofthe4channelamplifiertotheLINEINPUTofthe monoamplifierasshown Please note that these frequency points are suggestions only Refer to the loudspeaker manufacturer specifications and the section Setting up systems Monobasswooferwiring afterinstall...

Страница 7: ...teeperhighpassslopes Refertothesection Settingupsystemsafterinstallationforbestperformance Switchsettingchecklist Minimumfinalloudspeakerimpedances INPUTMODE 5CHDISCRETE 2Ohmsperchannelforchannels1 4 CH1 2X OVER FULL We will use the same basic setup on the speaker and subwoofer connections as Crossoverfrequencycontrolchecklist above to illustrate an installation that only has 1 set of stereo RCA s...

Страница 8: ...iring These amplifiers have dual speaker terminals simplifying the hookup of multiple speakers The 2 positivesarethesameandthe2negativesarethesame Crossoverfrequencycontrolchecklist LOWPASS 35Hzto250Hz SUBSONIC 15Hzto35Hz BASSEQ 0to10dB PHASE 0to180degrees Levelcontrolchecklist Refer to the section Setting up systems after installation for best performance FULL RANGE STEREO LINE INPUT NOT USED Y A...

Страница 9: ...e amplifiers have dual speaker terminals simplifying the hookup of multiple speakers The 2 positivesarethesameandthe2negativesarethesame Crossoverfrequencycontrolchecklist LOWPASS 35Hzto250Hz SUBSONIC 15Hzto35Hz BASSEQ 0to10dB PHASE 0to180degrees Levelcontrolchecklist Refer to the section Setting up systems after installation for best performance FULL RANGE STEREO LINE INPUT NOT USED Y ADAPTOR Not...

Страница 10: ...below Slave amp SLAVE INPUT Note This will link the amps so that the Master amp 8 Connect a 12 gauge jumper from Master amp speaker to Slave amp speaker as crossover switches will control both the Master and Slave amps The Slave amp shown below crossover switches will be bypassed SINGLEAMPINSTALLATIONPROCEDURE 1 Connect the amp LINE INPUTS to the Radio CD player full range or mono line out puts wi...

Страница 11: ...s to 100Hz the amplifier will not play frequencies below 100Hz but will play frequencies from 100Hz to the highest frequency the amplifier is capable of reproducing When in Low Pass Bandpass operation this setting acts as a low frequency cut off for your system reproduction aka Subsonic Filter The point that you set it at cuts off any frequencies from reproduction beyond this point The 12 o clock ...

Страница 12: ...commended minimums will draw more current check 2 A short on the main 12 volt cable from the battery to the vehicle chassis will cause the main fuse to blow 3 If an amplifier fuse blows continually with only 12 volt ground and remote leads connected the amplifier may be faulty System does not turn on 1 Check all fuses 2 Check all connections 3 Measure the 12 volt and remote turn on voltages at the...

Страница 13: ...HIFONICS AMPLIFIERS CAR AMPLIFIERS ...

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