7
Operation/Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
NOTE: If you are having problems after installation follow the Trouble-
shooting procedures below.
Step 1.
Check Amplifier for proper connections. Verify that POWER light
is on. If POWER light is on skip to Step 3, if not continue.
• Check in-line fuse on battery positive cable. Replace if necessary.
• Check fuse(s) on amplifier. Replace if necessary.
• Verify that Ground connection is connected to clean metal on the
vehicle’s chassis. Repair/replace if necessary.
• Verify there is 9 to 14.4 Volts present at the positive battery and remote
turn-on cable. Verify quality connections for both cables at amplifier,
stereo, and battery/fuseholder. Repair/replace if necessary.
Step 2.
Protect light is on.
• If the Protect light is on, this is a sign of a possible short in the speaker
connections. Check for proper speaker connections and use a volt/ohm
meter to check for possible shorts in the speaker wiring. Too low of a
speaker impedance may also cause Protect to light.
Step 3.
Check Amplifier for audio output.
• Verify good RCA input connections at stereo and amplifier. Check
entire length of cables for kinks, splices, etc. Test RCA inputs for AC
volts with stereo on. Repair/replace if necessary.
• Disconnect RCA input from amplifier. Connect RCA input from test
stereo directly to amplifier input.
Step 4.
Check Amplifier if you experience Turn-on Pop.
• Disconnect input signal to amplifier and turn amplifier on and off.
• If the noise is eliminated, connect the REMOTE lead of amplifier to
source unit with a delay turn-on module.
OR
• Use a different 12 Volt source for REMOTE lead of amplifier.
Step 5.
Check Amplifier if you experience excess Engine Noise.
• Route all signal carrying wires (RCA, Speaker cables) away from power
and ground wires.
OR
• Bypass any and all electrical components between the stereo and the
amplifier(s). Connect stereo directly to input of amplifier. If noise goes
away the unit being bypassed is the cause of the noise.
OR
• Remove existing ground wires for all electrical components. Reground
wires to different locations. Verify that grounding location is clean,
shiny metal free of paint, rust etc.
OR
• Add secondary ground cable from negative battery terminal to the
chassis metal or engine block of vehicle.
OR
• Have alternator and battery load tested by your mechanic. Verify good
working order of vehicle electrical system including distributor, spark
plugs, spark plug wires, voltage regulator etc.
Adjusting Level
1. Turn amplifier level to minimum (counter-clockwise).
2. Turn the source unit volume up to 7/8 maximum (or when distortion
is just inaudible).
3. Slowly increase amplifier gain control until adequate volume is
achieved.
NOTE: Best signal to noise and dynamic range are realized with gain set to
minimum. For a more in depth setting procedure, contact Rockford Tech-
nical Support.
Avoid setting amplifier level high as noise and
distortion will greatly increase.
Adjusting Crossover Frequency
The crossover frequency can be adjusted between 50-120Hz.The cross-
over is set to LP (Low Pass) only. Turn the crossover adjustment knob
all the way down. With the system playing, turn the crossover adjustment
knob up slowly until the desired crossover point is achieved.
Phase Switch
Allows you to conveniently switch the output phase of the amplifier be-
tween 0° and 180°. This has the same effect as physically reversing the
Positive (+) and Negative (-) speaker wires
Input Level
Set the Input Level switch to match the outputs of your source unit.(LO -
RCA or HI - Speaker Level)
Auto Turn On(illus.-3.1)
Three different automatic turn-on modes can be selected; REM(+12V), DC
Offset, and Audio.
Remote: Set the switch to REM to use the remote turn-on lead from your
source unit.
DC Offset: Set the switch to DC Offset to detect a DC offset from the HI-
Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been turned on.
Audio: Set the switch to Audio to detect the incoming audio signal from
your source unit and automatically turn on your powered loaded enclo-
sure.
NOTE: Using either the DC Offset or Audio mode causes the REM on the
power connector to have +12V out for turning on additional amplifiers.
Punch EQ
This works along with the crossover switch on the amplifier. When set to
Low-Pass (LP) operation, this is a variable Bass Boost. Set this to your
personal preference while listening to the system.
Over excursion and subsequent damage may
occur at high levels of boost.
Remote Punch Level Control
When connected, the “Level Control” is linked and allows you to remotely
control the output level of the amplifier from the dash or center console.
