JL Audio e1800D User Manual
Thank you for purchasing a JL Audio amplifier for
your automotive sound system.
Your amplifier has been designed and manufactured to exacting
standards in order to ensure years of musical enjoyment in your
vehicle. For maximum performance and extended warranty
coverage, we highly recommend that you have your new amplifier
installed by an authorized JL Audio dealer. Your authorized
dealer has the training, expertise and installation equipment to
ensure optimum performance from this product. Should you
decide to install the amplifier yourself, please take the time
to read this manual thoroughly so as to familiarize yourself
with its installation requirements and setup procedures.
If you have any questions regarding the instructions in this
manual or any aspect of your amplifier’s operation, please contact
your authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance. If you need further
assistance, please call the JL Audio Technical Support Department at
(954) 443-1100 during business hours (Eastern Time Zone).
JL AUDIO e1800D
monoblock subwoofer amplifier
owner’s manual
PLANNING YOUR INSTALLATION
It is important that you take the time to read
this manual and that you plan out your installation
carefully.The following are some considerations
that you must take into account when planning
your installation.
Cooling Efficiency Considerations:
The outer shell of your JL Audio amplifier is
designed to remove heat from the amplifier
circuitry. For optimum cooling performance, this
outer shell should be exposed to as large a volume
of air as possible. Enclosing the amplifier in a small,
poorly ventilated chamber can lead to excessive
heat build-up and degraded performance. If an
installation calls for an enclosure around the
amplifier, we recommend that this enclosure be
ventilated with the aid of a fan. In normal
applications, fan-cooling is not necessary.
Mounting the amplifier upside down is
strongly discouraged.
If mounting the amplifier under a seat, make sure
there is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space above the
amplifier’s outer shell to permit proper cooling.
Safety Considerations:
Your amplifier needs to be installed in a dry,
well-ventilated environment and in a manner
which does not interfere with your vehicle’s safety
equipment (air bags, seat belt systems,ABS brake
systems, etc.).You should also take the time to
securely mount the amplifier using the supplied
screws so that it does not come loose in the event
of a collision or a sudden jolt to the vehicle (10 lbs.
of aluminum traveling at 60 MPH will hurt you).
Stupid Mistakes to Avoid:
• Check before drilling any holes in your vehicle to
make sure that you will not be drilling through a
gas tank, brake line, wiring harness or other vital
vehicle system.
• Do not run system wiring outside or underneath
the vehicle.This is an extremely dangerous
practice which can result in severe damage to
your vehicle and person.
• Protect all system wires from sharp metal
edges and wear by carefully routing them,
tying them down and using grommets and
loom where appropriate.
• Do not mount the amplifier in the engine
compartment, under the vehicle, on the roof
or in any other area that will expose the amplifier
circuitry to the elements.
IMPORTANT
!
JL AUDIO e1800D 3
Filter Mode
Selection
(pg. 7)
Input Sensitivity
Control
(pg. 6)
Filter
Frequency Selector
(pg. 7)
Speaker Outputs
(pg. 8)
PROTECT YOUR HEARING!
We value you as a long-term customer. For that
reason, we urge you to practice restraint in the
operation of this product so as not to damage your
hearing and that of others in your vehicle. Studies
have shown that continuous exposure to high
sound pressure levels can lead to permanent
(irreparable) hearing loss. This and all other highpower amplifiers are capable of producing such high
sound pressure levels when connected to a speaker
system. Please limit your continuous exposure to
high volume levels.
While driving, operate your audio system in a
manner that still allows you to hear necessary noises
to operate your vehicle safely (horns, sirens, etc.).
SERIAL NUMBER
In the event that your amplifier requires service
or is ever stolen, you will need to have a record of
the product’s serial number. Please take the time to
enter that number in the space provided below.
The serial number can be found on the bottom
panel of the amplifier and on the amplifier packaging.
Serial Number:
_______________________________
INSTALLATION APPLICATIONS
This amplifier is designed for operation in vehicles
with 12V, negative-ground electrical systems. Use of
this product in vehicles with positive ground and/or
voltages other than 12V may result in damage to the
product and will void the warranty.
This product is not certified or approved for
use in aircraft.
Do not attempt to “bridge” the outputs of this
amplifier with the outputs of a second amplifier,
including an identical one.
2 JL AUDIO e1800D
Left & Right
Preamp Input Jacks
(pg. 6)
Protection Status
Indicator
(pg. 9)
Left & Right
Preamp Output Jacks
(pg. 8)
Left & Right
High Level Input Jacks
(pg. 6)
Power Status
Indicator
(pg. 9)
Bass EQ
On/Off Switch
(pg. 8)
Jack for
Remote Bass
Control Knob
(pg. 8)
Remote Turn-On
Connector
(pg. 6)
Chassis Ground
Connector
(pg. 5)
+12 V Power
Connector
(pg. 5)
POWER CONNECTIONS
Before installing the amplifier, disconnect the
negative (ground) wire from the vehicle's battery.
This will prevent accidental damage to the system,
the vehicle and your body during installation.
The e1800D's “+12 VDC” and “Ground”
connections are designed to accept 4 AWG power
wire. 4 AWG is a minimum power wire size
for this amplifier.
If you are installing the e1800D with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 2 AWG or larger main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of all
the amplifiers in the system).This 2 AWG or
larger power wire should terminate into a
distribution block mounted as close to the
amplifiers as possible and should connect to the
e1800D with 4 AWGpower wire.
Please note that smaller AWG numbers mean
bigger wire and vice-versa (1/0 AWG is the
largest, 2 AWG is smaller, then 4 AWG, then
8 AWG, etc.).
To connect the power wires to the amplifier,
first back out the set screw on the top of the
terminal block, using the supplied 2.5 mm hex
wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from
the end of each wire and insert the bare wire
into the terminal block, seating it firmly so that no
bare wire is exposed. While holding the wire in
place, tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not
to strip the head of the screw.
The ground connection should be made using
the same gauge wire as the power connection
and should be kept as short as possible, while
accessing a solid piece of sheet metal in the vehicle.
The surface of the sheet metal should be sanded at
the contact point to create a clean, metal-to-metal
connection between the chassis and the termination
of the ground wire.The use of a star washer to lock
down the connection is advisable.
Any wires run through metal barriers (such as
firewalls), must be protected with a high quality
rubber grommet to prevent damage to the
insulation of the wire. Failure to do so may result in
a dangerous short circuit.
Many vehicles employ small (10 AWG - 6 AWG)
wire to ground the battery to the vehicle chassis and
to connect the alternator's positive connection to the
battery.To prevent voltage drops, these wires should
be upgraded to 4 AWG when installing amplifier
systems with main fuse ratings above 60A.
FUSE REQUIREMENTS
It is absolutely vital that the main power wire(s)
to the amplifier(s) in the system be fused within
18 inches (45 cm) of the positive battery post
connection.The fuse value at each power wire
should be high enough for all of the equipment
being run from that power wire. If only the
e1800D is being run from that power wire, we
recommend a 80A fuse be used. ANL (big blade
fuse), AGU (big glass fuse) or MaxiFuse™ (big
plastic-body fuse) types are recommended.
No fuse is required or recommended directly
before the amplifier power connection. If one is
desired, we recommend the use of a 80A AGU fuse
or MaxiFuse™ type.
IMPORTANT
!
JL AUDIO e1800D 5
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The JL Audio e1800D is a monoblock subwoofer
amplifier utilizing proprietary and patented Class D
technology. Its frequency response is limited to the
range below 250 Hz. It is not designed
for driving midrange speakers or tweeters.
Every aspect of its operation has been optimized
for low-frequency amplification. For detailed
specifications, please refer to Appendix C (page 11).
TYPICAL INSTALLATION SEQUENCE
The following represents the sequence for a
typical amplifier installation, using an aftermarket
source unit. Additional steps and different
procedures may be required in some applications. If
you have any questions, please contact your
authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance.
1) Disconnect the negative battery post
connection and secure the disconnected cable to
prevent accidental re-connection during installation.
This step is not optional!
2) Run power wire (minimum 4 AWG) from
the battery location to the amplifier mounting
location, taking care to route it in such a way that
it will not be damaged and will not interfere
with vehicle operation. Use 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG
power wire if additional amplifiers are being
installed with the e1800D.
3) Connect power wire to the positive battery
post. Fuse the wire with an appropriate fuse block
(and connectors) within 18 inches (45 cm) wire
length of the positive battery post. This fuse is
essential to protect the vehicle. Do not install the
fuse until the power wire has been connected to
the amplifier.
4) Run signal cables and remote turn-on wire
from the source unit to the amplifier
mounting location.
5) Run speaker wire from the speaker system to
the amplifier mounting location.
6) Find a good, solid metal grounding point
close to the amplifier and connect the negative
power wire to it using appropriate hardware. Use
the same size power wire as the wire connected to
the “+12V” connection (min. 4 AWG), no longer
than 36 inches (90 cm) from the amplifier to the
ground connection point. In some vehicles, it may
be necessary to upgrade the battery ground wire.
(See page 5 for important notice).
7) Securely mount the amplifier using the
supplied screws.
8) Connect the positive and negative power
wires to the amplifier. A fuse near the amplifier is
not necessary.
9) Connect the remote turn-on wire to
the amplifier.
10) Connect the input cables to the amplifier.
11) Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier.
12) Carefully review the amplifier’s control
settings to make sure that they are set according
to the needs of the system.
13) Install power wire fuse (80A for a
single e1800D) and reconnect the negative
battery post terminal.
14) Turn on the source unit at a low level
to double-check that the amplifier is configured
correctly. Resist the temptation to crank it up until
you have verified the control settings.
15) Make necessary adjustments to the input
sensitivity controls to obtain the right overall output
and the desired balance in the system. See
Appendix A (page 10) for the recommended input
sensitivity setting method.
16) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your
favorite music.
4 JL AUDIO e1800D
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