Kenwood kac819 User Manual

8 Ω

2 Ω

4Ω

20 A 20 A

20 A

Troubleshooting Guide

What might appear to be a malfunction in your unit may just be the result of slight misoperation or miswiring. Before calling service, first check the following table for possible problems.

PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION

No sound. (No sound from one side.)

(Blown fuse.)

• Input (or output) cables are disconnected.

• Protection circuit may be activated.

• The connection of the sigma servo terminals is wrong.

• Volume is too high.

• The speaker cord is shorted.

• Connect the input (or output) cables.

• Check connections by referring to "Power indicator".

• Check the connection referring to "Sigma servo feed back".

• Replace the fuse and use lower volume.

• After check the speaker cord and fixing the cause of the short, replace the fuse.

KAC-819

MONO POWER AMPLIFIER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

The output level is too small (or too large).

The sound quality is bad. (The sound is distorted.)

The input sensitivity adjusting control is not set to the correct position.

• The speakers wire are

connected with wrong + / polarity.

•A speaker wire is pinched by a screw in the car body.

• The switches may be set improperly.

Adjust the control correctly referring to "Controls".

• Connect them properly checking

the + / - of the terminals and wires well.

• Connect the speaker wire again so that it is not pinched by anything.

• Set switches properly by referring to "Controls".

Specifications

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Audio Section

Max Power Output (2 Ω) ................................................................................................450 W × 1

Max Power Output (4 Ω) ................................................................................................300 W × 1

Rated Power Output (4 Ω) ............................................150 W × 1 (20 Hz ~ 200 Hz, 0.08 % THD)

Rated Power Output (4 Ω) ........................................................150 W × 1 (DIN45324, +B=14.4V)

Rated Power Output (2 Ω) ............................................................230 W × 1 (100 Hz, 0.8 % THD)

Frequency Response (+0, –3 dB) ............................................................................5 Hz ~ 200 Hz

Sensitivity (MAX) ..............................................................................................0.2 V (rated output)

Sensitivity (MIN) ..............................................................................................5.0 V (rated output)

Signal to Noise Ratio ............................................................................................................100 dB

Input Impedance ....................................................................................................................10 kΩ

Damping Factor ..............................................................................More than 2000 (at ∑ connect)

Low Pass Filter Frequency (18 dB/oct.) ........................................................50 ~ 200 Hz (variable)

Infrasonic Filter Frequency (18 dB/oct.) ..........................................................................15 / 25 Hz

Bass Boost Circuit (90 Hz) ................................................................................................6 / 12 dB

General

Operating Voltage ..............................................................................14.4 V (11 ~ 16 V allowable)

Current Consumption (100 Hz, 10 % THD)..............................................................................21 A

Dimensions (W × H × D) ..................................................................................290 × 56 × 200 mm

..................................................................................................11-7/16 × 2-3/16 × 7-14/16 inch

Weight......................................................................................................................3.1 kg (6.8 lbs)

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-819 Serial number

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 5mm2(AWG10) 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.

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.

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.

■ 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.

■ Wiring

• 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 attach a protective fuse into the battery wire close to the battery. Use a protective fuse having a capacity that is about 10 A higher than the maximum current drawn by the amplifier.

• Use vehicle-type (fire-resistant) power supply wiring wire for the battery wire and the ground wire. The current capacity of the power supply wiring wire should be about 10 A higher than that of the protective fuse capacity (which means about 20 A higher than the maximum current drawn by the amplifier).

• 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.

Example: One Power Amplifier Is Used

Maximum Current Drawn

Protective Fuse

Cross-sectional Area of

Wiring Wire (AWG)

21 A

40 A × 1 [20 A × 2]

(AWG 10) or

5 mm

greater × 1

■ 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.

• Use speakers that have an impedance of 2Ω or greater. 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.

Installation procedure

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 cables of the units.

4. Connect the center unit and this unit according to the required application.

5. Connect the speaker wires and sigma servo feed back wires.

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

7. Install the unit in the car.

8. Connect the negative - terminal of the battery.

9. Turn power ON and ensure that sound is output normally.

2WARNING

To prevent fire caused by a short in the wiring, connect a fusible link or breaker nearby the battery’s positive terminal.

2CAUTION

• If sound is not output normally, immediately turn power off and check connections. Be sure to perform the sigma servo connection correctly.

• Be sure to make correct connections of the sigma servo terminals.

• Be sure to turn the power off before changing the setting of any switch.

• If the fuse blows, check wires for shorts, then replace the fuse with one of the same rating.

• Check that no unconnected cables or connectors are touching the car body. Do not remove caps from unconnected cables or connectors to prevent short circuits.

• Connect the speaker wires to appropriate speaker connectors separately. Sharing the negative wire of the speaker or grounding speaker wires to the metal body of the car can cause this unit to fail.

• After installation, check that the brake lamps, winkers, and wipers work properly.

■ Power terminal (23)

Connect to their respective terminals the power supply wire, and ground wire, all of which pass through the associated terminal cover. Once the connections are complete, place the cover on the terminal section.

■ Accessories

Part name

Terminal cover

(Power terminal)

Self-tapping screws

(ø4 × 16 mm)

External

View

Number of

Items

Installation

Since the power amplifier has no parts which require operation, it can be installed at a position away from the driver’s seat without any hindrances. As generally accepted positions for its installation, places such as inside the trunk, etc. can be considered.

2CAUTION

• 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 (ø4 × 16 mm)

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

25Hz

15Hz

OFF

INFRASONIC

GND

INPUT

SENSITIVITY(V)

LPF

FREQUENCY(Hz)

L R

LINE IN

LEFT

RIGHT

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

12dB

6dB

OFF

BASS

BOOST

0.3

0.5

2 3

50.2

150

120

170

100

200

SUBWOOFER

AMPLIFIER

POWER IN

FUSE (30A)

BATT

GND

P.CON(REMOTE)

SPEAKER OUTPUT

SERVO II

∑

SERVO II

∑

GND

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

- +

∑

SUBWOOFER

AMPLIFIER

KAC-819

25Hz

15Hz

OFF

INFRASONIC

GND

INPUT

SENSITIVITY(V)

LPF

FREQUENCY(Hz)

L R

LINE IN

LEFT

RIGHT

SPEAKER LEVEL INPUT

12dB

6dB

OFF

BASS

BOOST

0.3

0.5

2 3

5 0.2

150

120

170

100

200

SUBWOOFER

AMPLIFIER

POWER IN

FUSE (30A)

BATT

GND

P.CON(REMOTE)

SPEAKER OUTPUT

SERVO II

∑

SERVO II

∑

MAXIMUM POWER

25Hz

15Hz

OFF

INFRASONIC

INPUT

SENSITIVITY(V)

LPF

FREQUENCY(Hz)

12dB

6dB

OFF

BASS

BOOST

0.3

0.5

2 3

50.2

150

120

170

100

200

0.3

0.2

0.5

(V)

(W)

1 @2 3 4 !5 6 #

8 9 07

Controls

Operations of the following control and switches are required in accordance with the centre unit and speakers connected with this unit.

1 FUSE (30 A × 1) 2 Battery terminal 3 Ground terminal 4 Power control (REMOTE) terminal 5 Speaker output terminals

As this unit accepts speakers with a minimum impedance of 2 ohms, connect speakers with 2-ohm or higher impedance to these terminals.

2CAUTION

The rated input of the speakers should be no less than the maximum output of the amplifier. Otherwise malfunction may result.

6 SIGMA SERVO II terminals

2CAUTION

Be sure to make proper connections to the SIGMA SERVO II terminals. Incorrect connection may result in lack of sound output or other malfunctions.

7 INFRASONIC FILTER switch

Ultralow frequencies that cannot be reproduced even by a subwoofer speaker do not become sound but become unnecessary oscillations, which affect the sound by causing distortion,

etc. Setting this switch to "15 Hz" or "25 Hz" cuts the frequencies below the respective frequency. This improves the reproduction performance of the speakers by eliminating unnecessary oscillations which will not become sound.

8 BASS BOOST switch

Setting this switch to "+6dB" or "+12dB" emphasizes the bass.

9 LPF(Low-Pass Filter) FREQUENCY

control

This control adjusts the frequency band output from this unit.

0 INPUT SENSITIVITY control

Set this control according to the pre-output level of the center unit connected with this unit, or to the maximum power output of the genuine-accessory car stereo. Use the diagram on the right as a guide.

NOTE

For the pre-output level or the maximum power output, refer to the “Specifications” in the instruction manual of the center unit.

! RCA cable ground lead terminal

When using an RCA cable with a ground lead attached, connect the ground lead to this terminal.

2CAUTION

25W or greater

Do not use this terminal for power source grounding. This unit will be damaged if the power source grounding wire is connected to this terminal.

@ LINE IN terminal # Speaker level input terminals

A center unit with no RCA output can still be connected to the speaker output. Again, even without a power control signal, the power is switched ON/OFF automatically by the speaker signal.

Power indicator

When the power is turned on, the Power indicator lights. If the Power indicator does not light when the power is turned on, the protection function may be activated. Check whether there is any indication of trouble.

■ 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.

Power indicator

•A speaker wire may be short-circuited.

•A speaker output may be in contact with the ground.

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

• The sigma servo connection may be erroneous.

•The fuse of this unit may be blown.

• The unit may be malfunctioning and sending DC signal to the speaker output.

• The grounding wire of this unit may not be connected with a metallic part which is electrically connected with the negative terminal of the battery.

• The power control wire may not be connected to this unit.

• The grounding wire of the centre unit (cassette receiver, CD receiver, etc.) may not be connected with a metallic part which is electrically connected with the negative terminal of the battery.

Connection

NOTE

For safe installation, read "Installation procedure" before starting work.

*…Commercially available parts

■ RCA cable connection ■ Speaker level input connection

CENTER UNIT (Cassette receiver, CD receiver, etc.)

RCA cable*

Power control wire*

Lead terminal*

Genuine-accessory car stereo (No line output center unit etc.)

Speaker

ACC

Car fuse box

Battery

Lead terminal*

Sigma servo feed back

The sound reproduced through conventional amplifiers is distorted due to the counterelectromotive force produced in the oscillating system of the speaker. The counterelectromotive force is particularly high with the woofer which requires a large drive mass.The sigma servo connection reduces distortion caused by the counterelectromotive force by including the circuit up to the speaker terminals in the negative feedback loop. This makes it possible to drive speakers with more fidelity to the input signals and create a sharp bass sound image with few feeling of noise interference.

NOTE

The speaker wires and sigma servo wires should be distributed along the same paths.

2CAUTION

• The extension of the negative feedback loop to include the speaker terminals makes it necessary to connect the sigma servo terminals correctly. Incorrect connection may result in sound degradation or other malfunction. If sound is not reproduced normally, check the connection of the sigma servo terminals, etc.

• If the Sigma servo terminals are not connected, the sound may fluctuate or noise may occur. Be sure to connect the Sigma servo terminals correctly.

• When connecting speakers in a parallel configuration, use speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms or more. Connecting speakers with smaller impedance than 4 ohms will cause malfunction.

• The rated input of the speakers connected to this unit should be no less than the maximum output of the amplifier. Otherwise malfunction may result. Be specially careful in this when connecting speakers in a parallel configuration.

■ Basic sigma servo connection ■ Series connection

Terminal cover

Battery wire*

Protective Fuse*

Battery

■ Speaker level input terminals (#)

When the genuine-accessory car stereo power is turned ON/OFF, check that the power to this unit has followed suit. In some cases, the power control is not correctly operated by the genuine-accessory car stereo. If this is the case, connect the ACC or power control signal to the P.CON(REMOTE) terminal.

2CAUTION

• The genuine-accessory car stereo shall have a maximum power output of no more than 40 W.

• Do not connect the speaker output leads from a power amplifier (Optional) to the speaker level input terminals of this unit, for this may cause malfunction or damage.

• Do not connect cables and leads to both RCA cable input jacks and the speaker level input terminals simultaneously, for this may cause malfunction or damage.

• Connect the power control lead to a power supply which can be turned ON/OFF by the ignition key switch (ACC line). With this connection, shock noise may be generated when the power of the genuine-accessory car stereo is switched ON/OFF.

Ground wire*

Distribute the speaker wires and sigma servo wires along the same paths.

Subwoofer

2CAUTION

Make this wire as short as possible.

■ Parallel connection (1)

2CAUTION

The speaker wires connected to this unit should be thick enough to supply the current capacity of two speakers.

■ Parallel connection (2)

2CAUTION

This connection is possible only when the speakers are identical and the speaker wires are also of the same type and length.

■ Simplified sigma servo connection

In case any of the connection examples above cannot be used or if the speakers cannot be connected to the speaker terminals, connect them to this unit as shown in the figure.