Kenwood 8452 - KAC Amplifier, KAC-8452, KAC-8402 Instruction Manual

KAC-8452
KAC-8402

4/3/2 CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER 7 page 2-7

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

AMPLIFICATEUR DE PUISSANCE 4/3/2 CANAUX 7 page 8-13

MODE D’EMPLOI

AMPLIFICADOR DE POTENCIA DE 4/3/2 CANALES 7 página 14-19

MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES

Take the time to read through this instruction manual. Familiarity
with installation and operation procedures will help you obtain the
best performance from your new power amplifier.

For your records

Record the serial number, found on the back of the unit, in the spaces
designated on the warranty card, and in the space provided below.
Refer to the model and serial numbers whenever you call upon your
KENWOOD dealer for information or service on the product.
Model KAC-8452/8402

Serial number

© B64-3015-00/01 (KV/EV)

Safety precautions

2WARNING

To prevent injury or fire, take the following precautions:

• When extending the ignition, battery, or ground wires, make sure to use
automotive-grade wires or other wires with a 8 mm² (AWG 8) or more to
prevent wire deterioration and damage to the wire coating.

• To prevent a short circuit, never put or leave any metallic objects (such as
coins or metal tools) inside the unit.

• If the unit starts to emit smoke or strange smells, turn off the power
immediately and consult your Kenwood dealer.

• Do not touch the unit during use because the surface of the unit becomes
hot and may cause burns if touched.

FCC WARNING

This equipment may generate or use radio frequency energy. Changes or
modifications to this equipment may cause harmful interference unless the
modifications are expressly approved in the instruction manual. The user could
lose the authority to operate this equipment if an unauthorized change or
modification is made.

2CAUTION

To prevent damage to the machine, take the following
precautions:

• Be sure the unit is connected to a 12V DC power supply with a negative
ground connection.

• Do not open the top or bottom covers of the unit.

• Do not install the unit in a spot exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat
or humidity. Also avoid places with too much dust or the possibility of water
splashing.

• When replacing a fuse, only use a new one with the prescribed rating. Using a
fuse with the wrong rating may cause your unit to malfunction.

• To prevent a short circuit when replacing a fuse, first disconnect the wiring
harness.

NOTE

• If you experience problems during installation, consult your Kenwood dealer.

• If the unit does not seem to be working right, consult your Kenwood dealer.

This Product is not installed by the manufacturer of a vehicle on the production
line, nor by the professional importer of a vehicle into an EU Member State.

Cleaning the unit

If the front panel gets dirty, turn off the power and wipe the panel with a dry
silicon cloth or soft cloth.

2CAUTION

Do not wipe the panel with a hard cloth or a cloth dampened by volatile
solvents such as paint thinner and alcohol. They can scratch the surface of the
panel and/or cause the indicator letters to peel off.

To prevent battery rise

When the unit is used in the ACC ON position without turning the engine ON, it
depletes the battery. Use it after starting the engine.

Protection function

The protection function is activated in the following situations:
This unit is equipped with a protection function for protecting this unit and your

speakers from various accidents or problems that can occur.
When the protection function is triggered, the Power indicator goes OFF and

the amplifier stops operating.

• When a speaker wire may be short-circuited.

• When a speaker output contacts ground.

• When the unit malfunctions and a DC signal is sent to the speaker output.

• When the internal temperature is high and unit won’t operate.

• When a ground wire of the center unit (cassette receiver, CD receiver, etc.)
or this unit is not connected to a metal part serving as an electrical ground
passing electricity to the battery's negative - terminal.

Wiring

• Take the battery wire for this unit directly from the battery. If it’s connected to
the vehicle’s wiring harness, it can cause blown fuses etc.

• If a buzzing noise is heard from the speakers when the engine is running,
connect a line noise filter (optional) to each of the battery wire.

• Do not allow the wire to directly contact the edge of the iron plate by using
Grommets.

• Connect the ground wire to a metal part of the car chassis that acts as an
electrical ground passing electricity to the battery‘s negative - terminal. Do
not turn the power on if the ground wire is not connected.

• Be sure to install a protective fuse in the power cord near the battery. The
protective fuse should be the same capacity as the unit’s fuse capacity or
somewhat larger.

• For the power cord and ground, use a vehicle type (fireproof ) power wring
cord with a current capacity greater than the unit’s fuse capacity. (Use a power
wiring cord with a diameter of 8 mm² (AWG 8) or greater.)

• When more than one power amplifier are going to be used, use a power
supply wiring wire and protective fuse of greater current-handling capacity
than the total maximum current drawn by each amplifier.

Speaker Selection

• The rated input power of the speakers that are going to be connected should
be greater than the maximum output power (in Watts) of the amplifier. Use of
speakers having input power ratings that are less than the output power of
the amplifier will cause smoke to be emitted as well as damage.

• The impedance of the speakers that are going to be connected should be 2Ω
or greater (for stereo connections), or 4Ω or greater (for bridged connections).
When more than one set of speakers are going to be used, calculate the
combined impedance of the speakers and then connect suitable speakers to
the amplifier.

4Ω

4Ω

8 Ω

Combined impedance

4Ω 4Ω

2 Ω

2 English

Installation

MM
MM



NOTE

• The rear side cover is fixed and cannot be
removed.

Front side cover

Hexagon socket
head cap screw
(M4 × 8 mm)

Hexagon Wrench

MM

MM

Accessories

Self-tapping screws
(ø5 × 18 mm)

Terminal cover (Power terminal)

Speaker level input cable

Hexagon Wrench

MM

Part name External View Number of Items

4

1

1

1

Installation procedure

Since there are large variety of settings and connections possible according to
applications, read the instruction manual well to select the proper setting and
connection.

1. Remove the ignition key and disconnect the negative - terminal of the
battery to prevent short circuits.

2. Set the unit according to the intended usage.

3. Connect the input and output wires of the units.

4. Connect the speaker wires.

5. Connect the power wire, power control wire and grounding wire following this
order.

6. Install the installation fittings in the unit.

7. Attach the unit.

8. Connect the negative - terminal of the battery.

2CAUTION

• Do not install in the below locations;
(Unstable location, In a location that interferes with driving, In a location
that gets wet, In a dusty location, In a place that gets hot, In a place that
gets direct sunlight, In a location that gets hit by hot air)

• Do not install the unit under the carpet. Otherwise heat build-up occurs
and the unit may be damaged.

• Install this unit in a location which allows heat to easily dissipate.
Once installed, do not place any object on top of the unit.

• The surface temperature of the amplifier will become hot during use. Install
the amplifier in a place where people, resins, and other substances that are
sensitive to heat will not come into contact with it.

• When making a hole under a seat, inside the trunk, or somewhere else in
the vehicle, check that there is nothing hazardous on the opposite side
such as a gasoline tank, brake pipe, or wiring harness, and be careful not to
cause scratches or other damage.

• Do not install near the dashboard, rear tray, or air bag safety parts.

• The installation to the vehicle should securely fasten the unit to a place in
which it will not obstruct driving. If the unit comes off due to a shock and
hits a person or safety part, it may cause injury or an accident.

• After installing the unit, check to make sure that electrical equipment
such as the brake lamps, turn signal lamps and windshield wipers operate
normally.

Self-tapping screw
(ø5 × 18 mm)

Installation board, etc.
(thickness : 15 mm or more)

English 3