MB QUART NAU660, NAU460, NAU260 User Manual 2

N A U T I C

Installation Manual

Congratulations!
By purchasing an amplifier from MB Quart, you have decided on a product of the
highest technical quality. MB Quart wishes you great enjoyment with your amplifier.
Should you have any questions about this system or other MB Quart products,
please email us at [e-mail]

MB Quart has an incredible Marine amplifier lineup with 2 channel, 4 channel
and 6 channel models available. All NAU models feature the following:

- American Boat and Yacht Council compliant Power and Speaker terminals.

- Gold plated Power and Speaker terminals.

- Gold plated RCA connections.

- Marine Grade Conformal Coated circuit board to resist corrosion from salt
spray and moisture.

- Non-Corrosive Aluminum extrusion.

- UV and salt spray resistant silk screen and paint.

NAUTIC

NAU260 / NAU460 / NAU660

Index

INTRODUCTION

SYSTEM DESIGN

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

General Instructions

Settings for Best Performance

TROUBLE SHOOTING

NAU260 2-Channel Amplifier

NAU460 4-Channel Amplifier

NAU660 6-Channel Amplifier

TECHNICAL DATA

WARRANTY

System Design

The success of any car stereo system relies on several factors, such as
the system design, execution of the installation, and system setup. Please
remember that any system is only as good as its weakest link.
Please remember that higher power systems are not necessarily useful
purely for high sound pressure levels, but also to establish a headroom
capability, to reproduce musical peaks cleanly without distortion.

Lower power amplifiers will clip earlier than their more powerful cousins,
and cause loudspeaker failure when overdriven, due to the harmonics
generated by a clipped signal, thus overheating voice coils.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

It is highly recommended that the amplifier be mounted to a board of MDF
or other solid structure using the 4 mounting screws provided. Avoid
mounting the amplifier to metal as this can introduce noise and other
unwanted issues. When mounting the amplifier, ensure that it is mounted
HORIZONTALLY, as shown in the diagram above, for optimal heat
dissipation. Mounting amplifiers to speaker enclosures is not
recommended as this can cause damage to the amplifier components.
When choosing a location for mounting the amplifier, ensure that you
check for clearance from wires, gas tank, electrical devices and brake
lines etc.

Amplifiers should be mounted with the fins running horizontally for best
convection cooling, to minimize overheating. Purchase the best quality
RCA cables you can afford, for reliability and less engine noise
interference in the audio system.

NAUTIC

WOOD

2

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

General Instructions

General:

Run the wiring so that RCA cables are at least 18“ away from power and speaker cables. Keep RCA cables away from electrical devices in the vehicle
that can cause electrical noise, such as electric fuel pumps, emission control modules and other on-board electronic modules.

Power and ground connections:(See table below)
Use a sufficient gauge power cable and ground cable using the chart below as reference to what size wire you require. Nautic series amplifiers require
at least 8 gauge power wire. In a multi amplifier system, add the total value of the manufacture recommended fusing to get your total system
amperage. Some applications may require multiple runs of power wire to meet the system requirements. In multi amplifier systems it is advisable to
mount a large enough fuse right at the battery, and run one or multiple +12 volt power cables to a fused distribution block near the amplifiers. It is then
a simple matter to connect the +12 volt terminal of each amplifier to the distribution block. During this process, please ensure that the main power fuse
is removed to avoid shorting the electrical system. The main fuse must be within 12” of the vehicles battery.

Ground each amplifier with as short a ground lead as possible directly to the vehicle chassis using at least 8 gauge wire or equivalent to the size of the
amplifiers’ power wire. Use a ground distribution block, if you wish, but it is extremely important to keep the main ground lead from this distribution
block to the chassis as short as possible , not more than 12“. The ground connection integrity to the chassis is very important, and the best way to
achieve a good, solid electrical and mechanical contact is to use a large round crimp lug, crimped and soldered to the ground cable. The next step is to
scrape the paint off the vehicle chassis , slightly larger than the ground lug, at the connection point. Drill a clearance hole in the chassis, the same size
as the lug hole, and use a bolt, spring washer and nut to securely fasten the ground lug. Use petroleum jelly to coat the bolt/lug connection, to prevent
oxidization with time.

TIP: Use the same approach when installing head units, equalizers or any audio equipment for that matter - run short individual grounds from each
piece directly to the vehicle chassis, to minimize ground loops and system noise. All power, ground and speaker connections should be crimped and
soldered for reliability. Make sure that none of the cable insulation can chafe against exposed metal in the vehicle, causing short circuits to the
chassis.

Safe connection sequence:
After all cables are run, connect speaker wires to the speakers and amplifiers, then run and plug in RCA cables. Next, connect all power, ground, and
remote turn on leads. Now connect all +12 volt cables to the amplifier/s and distribution blocks and fuse holders. Finally, connect the main +12 volt
cable to the battery, with the main fuse removed, and we are almost ready to power up the system.

Power up the system:

The following procedure may seem like overkill, but there is nothing more frustrating when turning on a system for the first time, and it does not work
properly immediately.
First, make sure the head unit is off, and turn all level controls to minimum (counterclockwise), including the head unit volume control. Set all equalizers
to 0 dB (no boost), and all crossover frequency controls at approximate frequencies, as recommended by the loudspeaker manufacturer. Set all input
selector and crossover switches as required for the application. Remove all amplifier fuses, and insert the main fuse at the battery. If the fuse does not
blow, you can insert the fuse in one of the amplifiers, and we are ready to turn on the system. Turn the head unit on, insert a CD, or select a radio
station, and increase the head unit volume control. If the system sounds fine, turn off the head unit, and install fuses in the remaining amplifiers, one by
one, till the complete system is powered up and functioning properly.

WIRE LENGTH

SYSTEM
AMPERAGE

35-50

7-10 ft. 10-13 ft. 13-16 ft.

8

6

4

16-19 ft. 19-22 ft. 22-28 ft.

4

4

4

WIRE GAUGE

50-65

68-85

85-105

105-125

125-150

6

4

4

4

2

4

4

2

2

0

4

2

2

0

0

4

2

2

0

0

4

2

2

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

3