Optimus XL-50 User Manual

XL-50 Trunk-Mount Stereo Amplifier
(120-2013) Features Faxback Doc. # 40181

Your Optimus XL-50 High-Power Trunk-Mount Stereo Amplifier produces a
total of 50 watts to give added punch and power to your vehicle's existing
autosound system.

The amplifier produces up to 25 watts per channel of clean, powerful sound
at all audio frequencies with minimum distortion. You can connect your
autosound system's low-level or speaker-level outputs to this amplifier.

Its features include:

14K Gold-Plated Speaker Terminals - designed for low impedance, high
conductivity, and minimum corrosion, to provide the highest
signal transfer and lowest sound distortion.

High- or Low-Level Input Signal-Compatible - accepts either high-level
(speaker) or low-level (preamplifier) input signals, to
match your stereo system's output for the best
performance.

Input Level Control - lets you adjust the level of the audio signals that
enter the amplifier.

Automatic Power Switching - can automatically turn the amplifier on or off
when you turn your autosound system on or off
(depending on how you hook up the amplifier).

Power Indicator - lights when power is supplied to the amplifier.

Short Circuit Protection - distorts the amplifier's sound if any output
channel shorts, alerting you to turn off the
autosound system.

Auto-Off - protects the amplifier by temporarily shutting down if it gets
too hot, an output channel shorts, or it detects an input
overload. The amplifier restarts automatically when it cools or
the problem is corrected.

XL-50 Trunk-Mount Stereo Amplifier
(120-2013) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 40182

SUPPLIED HARDWARE

Your amplifier comes with the following items. Be sure you locate
everything before you store or dispose of the packing materials.

Fuse 7.5A
Power Wire (Red) (1)
Ground Wire (Black) (1)
Remote Wire (Blue/White) (1)
4-Pin Connector with Wire (1)
Sheet Metal Screws (4)
Flat Washers (4)
Lock Washers (4)
Twist-On Terminal Connector (4)

BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE INSTALLATION

Before you install your amplifier, read all the instructions. And you
should be able to answer all of these questions about your vehicle's
electrical and autosound systems.

Does my vehicle have an autosound system, such as a car stereo or CD
player, already installed? (You must have an existing autosound system
to use this amplifier.)

How do I connect a wire to the fuse box?

Which of the autosound system's wires is the power wire?

Which of the autosound system's terminals are low-level outputs and which
are high-level (speaker) outputs?

Also, be aware that installation in your vehicle might require cutting or
modifying your vehicle.

Choosing a Mounting Location

A good location for mounting the amplifier is in your vehicle's trunk.
Wherever you decide to mount it, choose a mounting location that:

Does not interfere with the vehicle's operation.

Lets you drill mounting holes without damaging other vehicle components.

Allows enough space around the cooling fins for proper airflow and
cooling.

Lets you easily see the amplifier's POWER indicator.

Warning: The amplifier gets very hot while it is on. Do not touch the
amplifier or place flammable objects near it while it is on.

Preparing the Mounting Area

Before you mount the amplifier, make sure you have all the materials you
need, such as an adapter harness, additional wire, shielded audio cables,
and 16- or 18-gauge marked or color-coded wires.

Then confirm that the amplifier fits in your vehicle's available mounting
area. This amplifier requires a 5 1/2-inch high by 9 3/4-inch wide by
6-inch deep (13.9 x 23.5 x 15.3 cm) mounting area.

Routing Cables and Wires

Avoid routing the connection cables and any speaker wires near moving parts
or sharp edges. You can usually route wires and cables along the wiring
channel beneath the vehicle's door facings by carefully removing the
molding that holds the carpet in place. After routing the cables and wires,
replace the molding.

INSTALLATION ORDER

For trouble-free installation, simply follow the instructions in order.
First, make all the connections temporarily by connecting the amplifier to:

1. Ground and power.

2. Your autosound system's outputs.

3. Your speakers.

Then test the connections. When you confirm that everything works as
expected, disconnect the amplifier, mount it in your vehicle, and reconnect
it.

Caution: If you do not make the connections in the order shown, damage
to the amplifier and your autosound system is possible if any
wire connections are made incorrectly.

Note: For easier installation, mark each wire you plan to connect with the
name of the terminal you will connect it to.

BEFORE YOU MAKE THE CONNECTIONS

The supplied connection cables include all the lead wires you need to
connect the amplifier to ground, power, and your existing autosound system.

Important:

Do not cut these wires. If you cut any wire, you cannot obtain a refund
or exchange on this product. However, RadioShack will provide warranty
service if you cut a wire and find the product is defective.

If the connectors on your vehicle's autosound system are not compatible
with the amplifier's connectors, you might need an adapter harness to
complete the connections. RadioShack stores sell adapter harnesses for
most vehicles.

You might need additional wire, depending on your individual autosound
system, to complete the connections. Your local RadioShack store carries
a full line of wire and wire management accessories.

Cautions: For added safety and to protect your amplifier and autosound
system, disconnect the cable from your vehicle's negative (-)
battery terminal before you begin.

Be sure your speakers can handle as much as 50 watts of power
(25 watts per channel). Each speaker must have an impedance of
at least 4 ohms. Your local RadioShack store carries a full line
of speakers.

To make it easier to gauge wire length and connect the amplifier,
temporarily place the amplifier as close as possible to the selected
mounting location.

CONNECTING GROUND AND SWITCHED/PRIMARY POWER

Follow these steps to connect the amplifier to ground, switched power, and
primary power.

1. If you have not done so already, disconnect the cable from your
vehicle's negative (-) battery terminal.

2. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade end of the supplied black ground
wire to the amplifier's GND (ground) terminal.

3. Connect the black ground wire's other end to a chassis ground, such as
a metal bolt attached to a metal part of the vehicle's frame. Be sure
the bolt is not insulated from the chassis by a plastic part.

4. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade end of the supplied blue/white
wire to the amplifier's REM (remote power) terminal.

5. Connect the blue/white wire's other end to your autosound system's
switched power lead using one of the supplied twist-on terminal
connectors.

This connection turns on the amplifier when you turn on the autosound
system, and turns off the amplifier when you turn off the autosound system.
This prevents your vehicle's battery from being drained if you leave your
amplifier on when you turn your autosound system off.

If your autosound system does not have a switched power lead, connect the
blue/white wire's other end to a point in your vehicle's fuse block that
has power only when you turn on the ignition or turn the key to ACC.

This connection turns on the amplifier when you turn on the ignition or
turn the key to ACC, and turns off the amplifier when you turn off the
ignition. This prevents your vehicle's battery from being drained if you
leave your amplifier on when you turn your autosound system off.

6. Use a screwdriver to connect the spade end of the supplied red power
cable (with in-line fuse holder) to the amplifier's +12V terminal.

7. Connect the other end of the red power cable to your vehicle's positive
(+) battery terminal.

Caution: Due to the amplifier's high current requirement, you must connect
the red power cable's fused end directly to the vehicle's positive
(+) battery terminal or damage to your vehicle's wiring could
result.

Do not reconnect your vehicle's negative (-) battery cable yet.

CONNECTING INPUTS

Preparing the Speaker Wires

You can connect two or four speakers to the amplifier and your autosound
system.