03
Owner’
s Manual
Quick Start
Recommended for Experienced
Professional Installers Only!
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the
battery. Note: If the vehicle’s radio
features a code-type security system,
make certain you know the code before
disconnecting the battery!
2. Run a power cable complete with a
fuse (not included) directly from the
po12V battery terminal to the
desired amplifier location. Keep the fuse
within 6" of the battery terminal, and
position it before the wire runs through
any metal partition. A minimum of
#10AWG is required for the GTQ190, as
is a 30A fuse.
Note: All wiring connections should be
made either by soldering with heatshrink
tubing insulation, by using commercially
available high-quality distribution blocks,
or with high-quality crimp-type insulated
connectors installed with a professional-
type, articulated crimping tool. Soldering
crimp-type terminals is recommended
for additional security. Never use wire
nuts, insulation-displacement connectors
(i.e., ScotchLok type), or twist and tape
connections. Do not use electrical tape; it
will loosen with age and extreme
temperatures.
3. Mount amplifier in the desired location
using the included screws.
4. Connect power wiring as shown in the
Wiring Diagram on page 7.
5. Connect the outputs from the head unit
to the appropriate inputs of the amplifier
according to the Wiring Diagram (page 7)
with either (or both) high-quality low-
level signal cables with RCA plugs, or the
supplied speaker-level input connector.
6. Connect the speakers to the amplifier
according to the Wiring Diagram on
page 7.
7. Turn the gain controls to the 1/4-
position for all groups.
8. Set the bass boost of each group to the
desired position.
9. Set the crossover switches for each
group as desired.
10. Set the Group 2 Input as desired.
11. Set the mode switches to Stereo,
Left + Right, or Left Input Only operation
for each group.
12. Double-check your switch settings.
Reconnect the negative battery cable.
Note: Incorrect switch settings can
damage your speakers!
13. Turn on the signal source at a low
volume level, and check for the correct
output from each speaker.
14. Adjust the amplifier gain controls
using the procedure described in the
“Adjusting the Gain” section (page 11).
15. Read the rest of the manual to get
maximum use and enjoyment from your
amplifier.
System Design Using
the GTQ190
Speaker Requirements
When used in the non-bridged mode, a
group-channel of the GTQ190 can easily
drive two 2-ohm speaker loads. When
only one speaker is connected to the left
and right outputs of a group, virtually any
conventional speaker may be used. When
two speakers are connected in parallel to
a single output (left or right) of a given
group, each speaker must have a
minimum impedance of 4 ohms. This
ensures that the combined load will not
drop below 2 ohms. Although the
amplifier will not be damaged, load
impedances lower than 2 ohms will
eventually cause the amplifier to
overheat, activating the protection
circuits and causing the unit to shut off
until it cools down sufficiently.
When a group is in bridged mode, the
combined impedance of the speaker (or
speakers) connected to the bridged
channels should be at least 4 ohms. As in
the example above, sustained operation
of the unit in bridged mode with less
than 4 ohms will likely cause overheating.
If monaural operation is desired, and two
4-ohm speakers are used, it is best to
connect each speaker to an individual
amplifier output (left and right) and use
the L+R mode on the mode switch to
provide monaural operation.
The GTQ190 must not be used with
speakers that have either one of their
input terminals wired to the frame of
the speaker or to the chassis of the
vehicle.
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GTQ 190 - English 06/03/98 11:49 Side 3
