DLS RA20, RA40 User Manual
How to install and
operate the DLS
Reference series
car audio amplifiers
RA20 & RA40.
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.
Contents
Features…………………………….. 2
Installation…………………….……. 2
Tools and materials needed………. 3
Amplifier installation kit………….... 3
Routing Wires…………………….... 3
Wiring:
Power and Outputs……………..…. 4
Input and controls………………..... 5
Input wiring..................................... 5
Input level control.......................... 6
Grand Bass..................………….... 6
Phase control................................. 6
Crossovers..................................... 6
RA20 speaker wiring:
Front speakers…...……………….... 7
Subwoofer…………………………... 7
RA40 speaker wiring:
Four speakers…………………….... 8
Two speakers + bridged subwoofer. 8
Two speakers in bridge mode......... 9
Testing……………………………….. 9
Troubleshooting……………………... 9
Professional tips…………………….. 10
Specifications………………………... 11
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.
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
Technical Assistance
RA20
RA40
All models include
RCA inputs
High Level input
Continuos variable low pass and/or high-
pass crossovers
Grand bass feature 0 - +18 dB
Phase shift continously variabel 0-180 degr.
Remote turn on / off
Automatic remote turn on/ off on high level
input without connecting any remote wire
Electronic protection circuitry against
short-circuit, DC offset and thermal overload.
Bridgeable design to direct full power to
one or two speakers.
RA20 & RA40
RA20
2 x 130 Watt RMS / 2 x 220 Watt max in 2 ohm
1 x 440 Watt RMS bridged
RA40
4 x 75 Watt RMS / 4 x 110 Watt max in 2 ohm
2 x 220 Watt RMS bridged
All above RMS power ratings at 13,8 Volt DC.
Installation
Before you begin installation
Before you begin you need to read the manual, to have
some tools, cables and other material available. There
is one such list of material on the following page.
Amplifier location
Important
Allow air circulation around the amplifier.
The DLS Reference 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.
Disconnect Battery
Before starting the installation, always disconnect
the negative terminal of
the battery.
DLS logo on amplifier cooling flange
The DLS logo on top of the amplifier is attached
with two hex. screws. The logo can be removed
and twisted 90 or 180 degrees, and then screwed
back in wanted position. The logo can be mounted
in four different ways to match your installation.
Check all locations and placements carefully
before making any cuts, drilling any holes or making any connections.
This is the best way to
mount the amplifier to get
the best cooling.
2
RA20 & RA40
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.
Routing wires
Stereo
head unit
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
20- 25 feet = 6- 7.5 meter power cable,
minimum AWG 5 = 16 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 ring crimp terminals –one
for connection to the battery plus and one
for the amplifier ground connection.
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
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.
Use minimum AWG 5 = 16 mm2 cable, but if
possible buy AWG 4 = PL 21 mm2 cable for best
performance.
The ground cable must have the same size.
3
Wiring
RA20 & RA40
Power and Outputs
Power terminal ( +12V)
Connect the fuse holder as close to the vehicle
battery + as possible, using AWG 5 = 16 mm2 or
heavier cable. Use ring crimp terminal cable to
connect to battery +. Apply silicon grease to the
fuse to prevent corrosion.
Use a 50 Amp fuse.
DLS
Connect with ring
terminal to
battery + terminal
Connect the battery cable from the fuse holder to
the +12 Volt terminal on the amplifier.
Be sure to use a rubber grommet or a plastic
insulating tube where the cable passes the firewall
or other places when it can easily be jammed.
Use ty-wraps to secure to existing cables in the
engine compartment.
DLS FH1
fuse holder
Remote terminal ( REM )
For RCA cable signal input:
Set the input selector switch to position ”Low level”.
Connect the radio power antenna lead = remote
turn on/off from the car stereo to the amplifier
remote connection. This turns on the amplifier
whenever the car stereo is turned on.
You can either use the built in remote cable in the
RCA cable itself or use a separate cable as seen
on page 4.
Sometimes a small disturbance may enter the
amplifier coming from the remote voltage , through
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.
Insert the cable directly into the amplifier terminal.
If there is no remote voltage available from the stereo, you must connect to the ignition key through
the radio or any accessories fuse.
Connect to head
unit remote start
terminal or power
antenna lead
Ground Terminal ( GND )
Connect to a good chassis ground. The ground
connection should be clean, unpainted metal to
provide 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.
Connect with ring
terminal to
chassis ground
Fuses
Use only two 25 ampere ATC
blade type fuses.
4
For High Level input:
Set the input selector switch to position ”High level”.
We recommend you to connect the remote wire as
described above. The amplifier will produce soft
on / soft off operation this way. If you use a remote
wire, set the switch ”High level auto start” to position OUT.
In the case that there is no remote voltage available
from the car stereo, or you want to simplify the installation, the amplifier can be turned on/ turned
off by the high level input voltage. This is done
when the ”High level auto start” switch is set to IN
- position.
Power Light / Protect light
The power light (green ) comes on when
Power
(Green)
Protect
(Red)
the amplifier is turned on.
The protect light ( red ) comes on
when the amplifier shuts down from
overheating, or a short circuit ( speaker failure)
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