FD600.1
FD1200.1
Input Section
Bass Boost
Because of the wide range of head unit output configurations all ARC
Audio amplifiers have an adjustable input sensitivity or “Gain”. The gain
is not a volume or a power limiting control like a throttle. It makes the
amp more sensitive to input from the stereo. With the gain up the amp
will reach full output at a lower volume setting on the deck. At higher
gain settings the amp also becomes more sensitive to noise from the
car’s electrical system. Try to run the gain at the lowest setting possible
for you system.
This amp has a fully adjustable bass boost. Both the frequency and the
level of the boost are adjustable. Start with a small increase in the level
control. Then “sweep”the frequency up and down. Listen carefully for an
improvement in the sound of the bass. If you do not hear any improve-
ment then the woofer does not need any boost.
Use Bass Boost carefully. The demands
on power output are tremendous. Try
to minimize the use by changing
woofer position or the enclosure size.
There is no correct gain setting. Because speakers require different
power demands to reach the same output, the gains most often need
to be used to compensate for these differences. If you tried to set all the
Subsonic Filter
gains at half way you
would probably find
the system didn’t
sound very good. Using
good judgment and
listening carefully to
each speaker is still the
best way to tune a
system.
A subsonic filter acts like a crossover but at very low frequencies. It
removes sound that is so low the speaker cannot reproduce it. You see
the cone moving but hear no sound. This can be very hard on your
woofer especially at high power. If
you are using a ported subwoofer
enclosure at high power you should
use a Subsonic Filter to limit cone
movement at very low frequencies.
Speaker outputs
This amplifier is a mono design. Meaning it has only 1 channel. It is
equipped with a single large block terminal for speaker connection.
Make this connection carefully and neatly. If the wires ever come in
contact with each other the amp will go into protection.
Crossover Controls
A crossover is a device that removes unwanted frequencies from a speaker
or amplifier. A tweeter can easily be destroyed by bass notes if they are not
filtered out. Likewise a subwoofer will not sound natural if it is playing
midrange notes. A crossover removes these sounds from the speaker. As you
might guess, careful adjustment is need to
ensure that all the speakers are playing the
right sounds and that you are left with no
“holes” or low spots in the frequency
Know your total ohm load before you make any connections.
Note the ohm load switch. Use the 2
ohm position for any load over 2 ohms.
For any load under 2 ohms switch to
the 1 ohm mode.
response.
4
5
Bridging
Bridging Cont.
Bridging is a way to combine the power of 2 channels into 1. When
you wire the amp bridged you have a higher voltage differential
between + and -. That means MORE POWER.
For bridging to work both amplifiers must be playing exactly the same
signal at exactly the same output level. To make this easier we have
added a “Slave In”and “Slave Out”to this amp. When you use the Slave In
all the gain and crossovers are bypassed. This eliminates all the compli-
cateted tuning needed to match each amp.
If you have 2 identical, properly designed mono amplifiers (They can
not be a stereo amp that is bridged internally) you can bridge them
together to create 1 channel.
When bridging 2 amp, 1 amp will act as the positive output and the
other will act as the negative output. The negative amp will need to play
“out of phase”from the postive amp. Imagine it like this. The positive
amp is pushing the woofer and the negative amp is pulling. You can do
this by changing the “Phase”switch to “OUT”
1.
Run a jumper wire
between the negative (-)
speaker output of the 2
amps. Use the same
gauge speaker wire you
used to connect the
speaker.
1
MIN
1
MIN
+
+
Please see the switch setting below.
1
MIN
1
MIN
+
-
+
-
-
Amp 1(NORMAL)
2.
3.
Run a speaker wire
from amplifier 1
(Normal) positive (+)
output to the woofer +.
4 0HMS
Set the load switch to the
correct location for your
woofers.
XOVER
LOAD
INPUT
+
PHASE FRE Q Hz SELECT
SOURCE
SLAV E IN
INPUT
30
<
IN
<
ONE
TWO
OHM
<
SLAVE
OUT
>
250
>
-
NORMA L
>
L
L
R
-
+
+
MIN
R
4 ohm bridged set to TWO
2 ohm bridged set to ONE
SPEAKER
LEVE IN
.4V - 12.2V
MAX
L
GAIN
SLAV E OUT
1
MIN
1
MIN
+
-
+
-
Run a speaker wire
from amplifier 2
Set the phase to “IN”
-
(Slave) positive (+)
output to the woofer -.
Run a mono RCA cable to
“SLAVE OUT”
4 0HMS
+
Amp 2 (SLAVE)
Set the load switch to the
correct location for your
woofers.
1
MIN
1
MIN
+
-
+
-
XOVER
LOAD
INPUT
SOURCE
-
PHASE FRE Q Hz SELECT
SLAV E IN
INPUT
30
4 ohm bridged set to TWO
2 ohm bridged set to ONE
<
IN
<
ONE
TWO
OHM
<
SLAVE
When you are finished it should
look like this.
OUT
>
250
>
-
NORMA L
>
L
4 0HMS
L
R
-
+
+
MIN
R
+
SPEAKER
LEVE IN
.4V - 12.2V
MAX
L
GAIN
SLAV E OUT
Set the phase to “OUT”
Warning
Run a mono RCA cable to
“SLAVE IN”
When bridging any amp or amps, each channel sees half the ohm load. 4 ohms bridged is the
same as 2 ohms stereo. 1 ohm bridged is equal to 1/2 ohm stereo. Check the compatibility of
you woofers and amplifier before you begin.
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7
Installation Instructions
9.
Connect the speaker wire to the amp and speakers (make sure
the amp is off first). Make sure the polarity (+ and-) is correct.
1.
Disconnect the negative cable from the car battery. Tape up the end
so it is isolated form the battery.
10.
11.
Connect the RCA’s to the amp.
2.
Run the power wire (4 AWG min.) from the battery to the amplifier.
Plan this part of the installation carefully. This cable will carry very high
current. If it should short to the body and it is not properly fused
it could catch fire.
Double check the amplifier controls at this time. Make sure
everything is set correctly for your system.
12.
13.
Now you’re ready to play it for the first time. It is best to leave the
gain all the way down at first. Start with the head unit volume low
and work your way up.
3.
4.
Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse capable of the
total current load of all amplifiers connected. Don’t install the fuse
yet. Wait until the end. Locate the fuse as close as possible to the
battery. If the fuse is further that 18 inches (wire length) from the
battery you should reevaluate the wire and fuse placement.
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
fully adjusted. During this time the amp is drawing current from
the battery. You should check the battery voltage from time to time
and re-charge it if it gets low. Battery voltage can affect the way
the amplifier performs.
Find the closest clear metal area to the amp for a ground. Sand,
grind or scrape all paint and undercoating from the body and screw
the ground securely to the body.
14.
You’re done. Now have fun.
It is advisable to test the ground with an ohmmeter between the
ground cable and the negative battery cable to insure a good low
resistance connection. Some alloys used in modern cars do not
offer the best ground. If you believe this is the case consult with the
vehicle manufacturer.
5.
Run the speaker wire to the speakers. It is advised that you leave
some extra wire at this point. You can “clean it up”later.
6.
7.
If you haven’t already done so, mount the amp now.
Connect the power and ground to the amplifier.
Only after this step should you install the fuse at the battery.
8.
Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier. Now
is a good time to turn on the amp for the first time. Make sure it
turns on properly and does not go into protect.
8
9
2 OHM OPERATION
1 OHM OPERATION
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
SET INUT TO
NORMAL>
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
SET INUT TO
NORMAL>
<IN
TWO>
<IN
<ONE
-
-
2 0HMS
1 0HMS
+
+
_
+
10D2 = 2
12D2 = 2
_
+
10D4 = 2
12D4 = 2
_
+
10D2 = 1
12D2 = 1
_
+
10D2 = 1
12D2 = 1
_
+
10D4 = 2
12D4 = 2
_
+
_
+
10D2 = 1.33
12D2 = 1.33
10D4 = 1
12D4 = 1
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4 OHMS BRIDGED
In this configuration you can “Bridge”2 amplifiers into 1 channel. To bridge 2 amps you must set amp 1 to
“Normal”and amp 2 to “Slave”. All adjustments will then be made to amp 1. Amp 2 will need no further
adjustments
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
SET INUT TO
NORMAL>
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
OUT> TWO>
SET INUT TO
<SLAVE
<IN
TWO>
-
4 0HMS
+
_
+
10D2 = 4
12D2 = 4
_
+
_
+
10D2 = 4
12D4 = 4
10D4 = 4
12D4 = 4
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2 OHMS BRIDGED
In this configuration you can “Bridge”2 amplifiers into 1 channel. To bridge 2 amps you must set amp 1 to
“Normal”and amp 2 to “Slave”. All adjustments will then be made to amp 1. Amp 2 will need no further
adjustments
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
SET INUT TO
SET PHASE TO SET LOAD TO
SET INUT TO
<IN <ONE
NORMAL>
OUT> <ONE
<SLAVE
-
2 0HMS
+
_
+
_
10D2 = 2
12D2 = 2
_
+
10D4 = 2.66
12D4 = 2.66
_
+
10D4 = 2
12D4 = 2
10D4 = 2
12D4 = 2
+
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POWER AND INPUT CONNECTIONS
POWER AND INPUT CONNECTIONS
SINGLE BATTERY
DUAL BATTERY or BATTERY AND CAPACITOR
FUSE
FUSE
REMOTE
REMOTE
Battery or
Capacitor
FUSE
Battery
This is a stock ground wire on the
This is a stock ground wire on the
battery between the battery and
the body. It should be Upgraded to
4 AWG from the factory 8 or 10
AWG.
battery between the battery and
the body. It should be Upgraded to
4 AWG from the factory 8 or 10
AWG.
Battery
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Specifications
FD600.1
336 Watts
620 Watts
600 Watts
FD1200.1
1 Channels @ 4Ohms
1 Channels @ 2Ohms
1 Channels @ 1Ohm
510 Watts
1010 Watts
1100 Watts
20 Hz > 250Hz
30Hz - 250Hz
0 - 18dB @ 30Hz - 80Hz
20 Hz > 250Hz
55Hz - 250Hz
0 - 18dB @ 30Hz - 80Hz
Frequency Response
Crossover Range
Bass Boost
>75 dB
>NA
>3334
>89 dB
>NA
> 2100
S/N Ratio (A wtg) ref 1Watt 4Ohm
Seperation @ 1kHz
Damping (25W 4x4Ohm 100Hz)
Low Level Input Sensitivity
Max Peak Current 2Ohm Stereo
Dimensions
.25V - 2.5V
76A @ 697Watts
10 3/8” X 16 1/2” X 2 3/8”
.25V - 2.5V
110A @ 1100Watts
10 3/8” X 21 3/4” X 2 3/8”
Output Power (RMS) @ .05% 1000z 14.4v Input
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