How to install and operate the DLS CA20, the CA21, CA40 and the CA50 amplifiers.
Welcome!
This owners manual is written in easy english and uses a lot of drawings to simply the installation and use of the above amplifiers.
Your DLS amplifiers must be installed correctly in order to work well. This manual will show you how to install the amplifier like a pro. Please read the entire manual before beginning the installation.
Install the amplifier yourself if you feel confident with our instructions and if you have the proper tools. However if you feel unsure, turn over the installation job to someone better suited to it.
Warranty Service
This amplifier is covered by warranty, depending on the conditions in the country where it is sold. If the amplifier is returned for service, please include the original dated receipt with the product.
!Technical Assistance
For technical assistance ask the shop where the product was sold or the distributor in your very country.
You can always phone the DLS Helpdesk in Sweden + 46 31 84 00 60 or send an e-mail to info@dls.se. Information can also be found on our WEB-site www.dls.se
Contents
Features…………………………….. |
2 |
Installation…………………….……. |
2 |
Tools and materials needed………. |
3 |
Amplifier installation kit………….... |
3 |
Routing Wires…………………….... |
3 |
Wiring |
|
Power and Outputs……………..…. |
4 |
Inputs and controls………………... |
5 |
Input level control |
6 |
Grand Bass,Crossovers………….... |
6 |
CA40 Crossovers………………...… |
7 |
CA20 and CA21 speaker |
|
wiring: |
|
Front speakers…...……………….... |
8 |
Subwoofer…………………………... |
8 |
CA40 speaker wiring: |
|
Four speakers…………………….... |
9 |
Two speakers + bridged subwoofer. |
9 |
Two way front system with |
|
active crossovers……………………. |
10 |
Two subwoofers…………………….. |
10 |
CA50 speaker wiring: |
|
Four speakers…………………….... |
11 |
Subwoofer...................................... |
11 |
Testing……………………………….. |
12 |
Trouble-shooting…………………….. |
12 |
Professional tips…………………….. |
13 |
Specifications………………………... |
14 |
|
|
|
CA20, 21, 40 & 50 |
|
|
|
|
All models include |
|
||
# |
RCA inputs |
CA20 |
|
# |
High Level input |
2 x 50 Watt RMS / 2 x 100 Watt peak |
|
# |
Continuos variable low pass and/or high pass |
1x 170 Watt RMS / 1 x 300 Watt peak |
|
|
crossover |
CA21 |
|
# |
Bass boost feature (not on CA50) |
2 x 100 Watt RMS / 2 x 200 Watt peak |
|
# |
Remote turn on / off |
1 x 350 Watt RMS / 1 x 600 Watt peak |
|
# |
Automatic remote turn on/ off on high level |
CA40 |
|
|
input without connecting any remote wire |
4 x 50 Watt RMS / 4 x 100 Watt peak |
|
# |
Electronic protection circuitry against |
2 x 170 Watt RMS / 2 x 300 Watt peak |
|
|
short-circuit, DC offset and thermal overload. |
CA50 |
|
|
Bridgeable design to direct full power to |
4 x 50 Watt RMS / 4 x 100 Watt peak |
|
|
one or two subwoofers etc. |
2 x 150 Watt RMS / 2 x 200 Watt peak |
|
|
|
|
1 x 150 Watt RMS on Sub channel |
All above output power ratings in four ohms stereo,respectively bridged
at 13,8 Volt ,max 0,1 resp. 0,2 % THD
Installation
Before you begin installation |
Disconnect Battery |
Before you begin you need to read the manual, to have some tools, cables and other materialavailable.There is one such list of material on the following page.
Amplifier location
Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.
The DLS Classic series of amplifiers have a compact design that allows great flexibility in mounting. You can mount it under a seat or in the trunk.
When you select a location, do remember that the amplifier generates a lot of heat.
Choose a location where air can circulate freely around the amplifier. Do not cover the amplifier with carpets or hide behind trim panels.
Do not mount the amplifier in an inverted or upside down position.
Check all locations and placements carefully before making any cuts, drilling any holes or making any connections.
Before starting the installation, always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2
CA20, 21, 40 & 50
Routing wires
Tools and material needed
Tools:
#Flat and Phillips screwdrivers
#Wire cutter
#Wire stripper
#Electric drill with drills
#Crimping tool
#Digital multimeter or test lamp
#Wire brush, scraper or a piece of an abrasive sheet to remove
paint for a good ground connection
#Grease to protect the ground connection from oxidation
Material:
#Speaker wire: minimum
12 AWG = 4 mm2 for subwoofers
13 – 16 AWG = 1,5-2,5 mm2 for other speakers
#Sheet metal screws for mounting the amplifier to the amplifier board and the amplifier board to the car + some extra for fuse holder, amplifier ground etc.
#Electrical insulation tape
#½ inch thick plywood or particle board for the amplifier to be mounted upon.
Amplifier installation kit:
If available,buy an amplifier installation kit. It contains normally all you need. This is what you have to buy if you buy the items separately
#2025 feet = 6- 7.5 meter power cable, preferably AWG 8 = 10 mm2 or heavier
#1 pc of fuseholder to install close to the car battery + fuse 50 Ampere.
#20 feet of AWG 15 = 1,5 mm2 wire for remote turn on / off cable from radio.
#RCA-cable for input from radio.
- 20 feet or 5 meter for trunk installations -12 feet or 2 – 3 meter for under seat installations
#Two min. 8 gauge ring crimp terminals –one for connection to the battery plus and one for the amplifier ground connection.
#Two heavy fork crimp terminals to connect + and – to amplifer – but you do only need them if you use heavy cable or to make the installation look nicer.
#Four to eight fork crimp terminals to connect the speaker cables – but you do only need them if you use heavy cables or want the installation to look nicer.
#One fork crimp terminal to connect the remote wire to the amplifier, but you need only to make it look nicer.
#Four to eight splicers to connect speaker cables to high level input cable, if high level input is used.
#Wire ties
#Insulating grommet or insulating tube
Stereo head unit
Professional Tip:
If amplifier installation kits are available with different size of power cable, chose the most heavy power cable to improve sound quality and to allow more amplifiers to be installed now or later.
If possible buy AWG 4 = PL 21 mm2 cable for best performance.
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CA20, 21, 40 & 50 |
||
Wiring |
Remote terminal ( REM ) |
|||||||||||||||
Power and Outputs |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
For RCA cable signal input: |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote |
|
||
Power terminal ( +12V) |
|
turn on/off from the car stereo to the amplifier |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remote connection. This turns on the amplifier |
|
||
Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle |
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
whenever the car stereo is turned on. |
|
||||||||||||||
battery + as possible, using AWG 8 = 10 mm2 or |
|
You can either use the built in remote cable in the |
|
|||||||||||||
heavier cable. Use ring crimp terminal cable to |
|
RCA cable itself or use a separate cable as seen |
|
|||||||||||||
connect to battery +. Apply silicon grease to the |
|
on page 4. |
|
|||||||||||||
fuse to prevent corrosion |
|
Sometimes a small disturbance may enter the |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amplifier comingfrom the remote voltage , through |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+12V REM GND |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the built in remote wire and into the RCA cable. |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thus we recommend to use a separate remote wire |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and run the RCA lead separate from remote wire, |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
power cables and speaker cables. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can either use a crimp fork terminal or insert |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the cabledirectly into the amplifier terminal. If there |
|
||
|
|
|
DLS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
is no remote voltage available from the stereo, you |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
must connect to the ignition key through the radio |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or any accessories fuse. |
|
||
|
|
|
DLS FH1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
fuse holder |
|
|
|
|
For High Level input: |
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Connect the battery cable by a crimp fork terminal |
|
We recommend you to connect the remote wire as |
|
|||||||||||||
( spade ) to the +12 Volt on the amplifier. If you use |
|
described above. The amplifier will produce soft |
|
|||||||||||||
a AWG 8 = 10 mm2 or thinner cable, you can do |
|
on / soft off operation this way. You must set the Hi |
|
|||||||||||||
without the crimp terminal and put the cable right |
|
level/Low level switch to Low level position in this |
|
|||||||||||||
into the connector. |
|
case. |
|
|||||||||||||
Be sure to use a rubber grommet or a plastic |
|
In the case that there is no remote voltage available |
|
|||||||||||||
insulating tube where the cable passes the firewall |
|
from the car stereo or you want to simplify the in- |
|
|||||||||||||
or other places when it can easily be jammed. |
|
stallation, the amplifier can be turned on/ turned |
|
|||||||||||||
Use ty-wraps to secure to existing cables in the |
|
off by the high level input voltage.This is done when |
|
|||||||||||||
engine compartment. |
|
the Hi level/Low level switch is set to Hi level posi- |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
tion.There is a small disadvantage that this function |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gives soft turn off operation but some plop sound |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
when switching off. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+12V REM GND |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ground Terminal ( GND ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect to a good chasis ground. The ground |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
connectionshould be clean, unpainted metal to prov- |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
ide a good electrical connection. Use a wire brush, |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
a scraper or a piece of an abrasive sheet to clean |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
the metal. Use a lock washer or two to secure |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
contact. Protect with silicon grease or by paint |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
applied afterwards. |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
+12V REM GND |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fuses |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use only one or two 25 ampere ATC blade type |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fuses. CA 50 uses three 30 ampere fuses. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
CA20, 21, 40 & 50
Input and controls
Input Wiring
Inputs may be low level from the RCA output of the car stereo or high level from the car stereo speaker output.Low level = RCA is to prefer for the best sound quality.
Important
On CA20/21 use either the low level or the high level input, do not use both at same time.
Low level input
Use a pair of shielded stereo audio cables with RCA type jack. Most trunk-mount
amplifiers need a 20 feet RCA cable ( appr 5 – 6 meters). Most under the seat installations require 12 feet ( 2 – 3 meters) RCA cables. Avoid placing the RCAcable close to speaker cables,
power cables and remote control cable. Connect to input socket A & B. CA40 and CA50 is also equipped with separate inputs for channel C & D. CA 50 has also a separate input for channel E.
High Level Input
Connect left and right speaker wires coming from the car stereo to the high level input as shown. You must connect both plus and minus as the inputs are balanced, connecting plus only gives lower level and bad sound quality. By changing the polarity of plus and minus, you can change the phase.
CA 20 & CA21
High Input |
White:A ch.+ |
|
White/Black:A ch.- |
|
Gray/Black: B ch.- |
Hi level input |
Gray: C ch.+ |
|
|
plug on amp. |
|
Automatic turn on when using high level input.
With the Hi/Low input swich set to Hi, the amplifier turns on automatically on high input.You dont need to connect a separate remote wire from your head unit.
CA40
The CA40 four channel amplifier is connected likewise, however we have four channels.
You can feed two channels from RCA and two channels using high level input from rear speaker cables.
High Input
(A/B Ch)
Hi level input
plug on amp for CH A & B.
White:A ch.+ White/Black: Ach.-
Gray/Black: B ch.- Gray: C ch.+
High Input
(C/D Ch) 
Violet: C ch.+ 
Violet/Black: C ch.- 
Green/Black: D ch.- 
Green: D ch.+
Hi level input plug on amp for CH C & D.
CA50 uses this plug for CH A, B, C & D.
CA50
The CA50 five channel amplifier is connected likewise, however only Channels A, B, C and D can be fed with high input. The signal is then connected internally to channel E.
Parallel input on CA40 & CA50
Parallel Input
Off PCD
In PCD position the A/B and C/D input connectors are internally connected in parallel.
In OFF-position you must use dual signal cables.
On CA50 the PCDE position connects the CD input with the input for channel E.
RCA Output
Input Output
Use RCA Outputs to A 
A connect additional
amplifiers (not available on
CA50).
B B
5
Loading...