Precision Power PC4200 User Manual

POWERCLASS

PC4200 / PC4400 / PC4800 / PC6600 OWNER’S MANUAL

™

CONTENTS

(click on a topic to view)

CONGRATULATIONS

•

FEATURES / SPECIFICATIONS

•

FEATURES / SPECIFICATIONS (cont.)

•

INSTALLATION

•

WIRING

•

WIRING (continued)

•

POWER / GROUND

•

POWER, GROUND, and REMOTE

•

SPEAKER WIRING

•

BRIDGING

•

REAR ENDPLATE DIAGRAMS

•

FRONT ENDPLATE PC4200 / PC4400

•

FRONT ENDPLATE PC4800

•

QBASS / QBASS REMOTE

•

CROSSOVER OPERATION

•

FREQUENCY DETENT CHARTS

•

INPUT COMBINE / GAIN

•

THERMAL MANAGEMENT

•

TROUBLE SHOOTING

•

SYSTEM DIAGRAM ONE / TWO

•

SYSTEM DIAGRAM THREE

•

SYSTEM DIAGRAM FOUR

•

SYSTEM DIAGRAM FIVE

•

SYSTEM DIAGRAM SIX

•

BLOCK DIAGRAM 4200 / 4400

•

BLOCK DIAGRAM 4800

•

FRONT ENDPLATE PC6600

•

INPUTS

•

BLOCK DIAGRAM 6600

•

WARRANTY

•

Congratulations and thank you.....

for choosing
proudly design, engineer and manufacture audio products at our facility in
Phoenix, Arizona. Our award winning engineering team utilizes innovative
technology to consistently deliver
sound quality, reliability, and value. This
our commitment to offer you unpar alleled versatility and quality for years of
dependable service and listening enjoyment.

PrecisionPower

audio epuipment. At

Absolutely State of the Art

PrecisionPower

PrecisionPower

TM

performance,

product reflects

we

Service

Do not attempt to service
Performing exploratory surgery on your audio equipment yourself
will void the warranty. Many parts of your
are custom built to our specifications. Our factory parts are not
made available to anyone else nor are they for sale. Our goal
is to make sure that your
sound as good as the day it was purchased. Contact your
authorized
service through

PrecisionPower

PrecisionPo wer

PrecisionPower

PrecisionPower

dealer about obtaining any warranty

.(See Warranty insde back cover)

products yourself.

PrecisionPower

product will always

gear

FOR YOUR RECORDS:

Model
Serial Number
Purchase Date

Caution!

The extended use of a high powered audio system may
result in hearing loss or damage. While
systems are capable of
incredible accuracy, they are also designed for you to
enjoy at more reasonable levels all of the sonic subtleties
created by musicians. Please observe all local sound
ordinances.

"Concert Level"

PrecisionPower

volumes with

BACK TO CONTENTS

Your new amplifier incorporates some or all of the following features:

Adaptive MOSFET Switching Power Supply
Fully Complementary Darlington Output Stage

AP III

Protection Circuitry (PC4200, PC4400, PC6800)

AM IV

Protection Circuitry (PC4800)

QBASS

™

QBASS PLUS
QBASS REMOTE
PowerLock

Detented, Variable 3-way Internal Crossover
Non-Fading Sub Channel
Balanced Differential Input Stage
High Voltage Input Capability with Input Attenuation Switch
Gold Plated RCA Input and Output Connectors
Mixed Mono/Stereo Operation
3 Year Warranty when installed by an Authorized
Completely Designed And Handcrafted In The USA

Specifications

Power Bandwidth: 4.5 Hz - 100 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.02 %
Input T opology: Differential
Input Sensitivity: 150mv - 12 volts RMS
Input Impedance: 10k Ohms
Load Impedance (stereo) 2 - 8 Ohms
Load Impedance (bridge) 4 - 8 Ohms
Supply Voltage 11 - 15 volts
Damping Factor >500
Slew Rate >50 V/µS
Idle Current: PC4200 / PC4400 - 1.5 Amps

FEATURES / SPECIFICATIONS

Bass Boost (PC4200, PC4400)

™

(PC4800, PC6600)

™

Compatible (PC4800, PC6600)

Speaker and Power Wire Connectors

PC4800 - 3.0 Amps
PC6600 - 2.0 Amps

PrecisionPower

Dealer

Continuous Output Power

PC4400

50 WRMS x 4 @ 4Ω per channel 100 WRMS x 4 @ 4Ω per channel
100 WRMS x 4 @ 2Ω per channel 200 WRMS x 4 @ 2Ω per channel
200 WRMS x 2 @ 4Ω bridged 400 WRMS x 2 @ 4Ω bridged

PC4200 PC6600

25 WRMS x 4 @ 4Ω per channel 50 WRMS x 6 @ 4Ω per channel
50 WRMS x 4 @ 2Ω per channel 100 WRMS x 6 @ 2Ω per channel
100 WRMS x 2 @ 4Ω bridged 200 WRMS x 3 @ 4Ω bridged

PC4800

1

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FEATURES / SPECIFICATIONS

QBASS

QBASS

™

and

QBASS PLUS

™

(PC 4200, PC4400, and PC 6600)

™

Up to 12dB of Boost centered at 40Hz, with a Q-Factor of 2.

™

QBASS PLUS

(PC 4800)
Up to 18dB of Boost with selectable center frequency at 30Hz, 36Hz,
44Hz or 60Hz. Selectable Q of 2 or 4. Optional remote mounted
Boost Control.

™

Optional

QBASS REMOTE

(PC 4800)

This boost control can be mounted
in the dash and will supersede the
boost control on the amplifier endplate.

™

Optional
allows one
operate multiple amplifiers. Each

QPORT

QPORT

QBASS REMOTE

™

has outputs for four amplifiers
as well as another
expansion. See your authorized

expansion module

QPORT

™

to

™

for greater

PrecisionPower

dealer for more information!

Crossover Specifications

PC4200 / PC4400

Front - 12dB/Octave, Detented High Pass 20-5kHz
Rear - 12dB/Octave, Selectable Detented High or Low Pass 20-5kHz
RCA Out-Summed Mono 24dB/Octave, Linkwitz-Riley Low Pass, 90Hz

QBASS

™ on Rear Channel

Specifications

BASS REMOTE

Q

QBASS

™

0

+18

™

Designed and handcrafted in the USA

PC4800

Front - 12dB/Octave, Detented High Pass 20-5kHz
Rear - Choice of 12dB/Octave Detented High Pass 20-5kHz, or
Summed Mono 24dB/Octave, Linkwitz-Riley Detented Low Pass 44-315Hz
RCA Outputs will be the opposite of your Rear Crossover choice.

QBASS PLUS

PC6600

Front - 12dB/Octave, Detented High Pass 20-5kHz
Rear - 12dB/Octave, Detented High Pass 20-5kHz
Sub-Summed Stereo 24dB/Octave, Linkwitz-Riley Low Pass at 90Hz

QBASS PLUS

Dimensions

PC4200

Length - 12.22"
Height - 2.25"
Width - 8.9"

™ on Rear Channel

™ on Sub Channel.

PC4400

Length - 13.72"
Height - 2.25"
Width - 8.9"

PC6600

Length - 19.72"
Height - 2.25"
Width - 8.9"

2

PC4800

Length - 23.72"
Height - 2.25"
Width - 8.9"

BACK TO CONTENTS

INSTALLATION

Tools/Parts needed for Installation (not supplied)

Small flat blade screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver (#2 or medium sized)
Wire cutters
Wire strippers
4 - #6 round head screws, and 1 - #8 sheet metal screw
(or nut, bolt, and star washer)
2 - Ring connectors (large enough to accommodate your method of grounding)
In-line fuse or circuit breaker - see fuse chart below
Power and ground wire - see Power Wire Calculator on page 4
Speaker wire - 16 gauge or larger
Grommets (sized to work with the power wire you plan to use
in your installation)
Tube of silicone sealant

Fuse requirements

Amplifier Maximum Fuse Rating

PC4200
PC4400
PC4800
PC6600

Y ou will need to install an in-line fuse or circuit breaker in the power
wire within 18" of the battery . This fuse or cir cuit breaker is to protect
your vehicle from fire in case the power wire shorts to the vehicle
body. If you are only using one amplifier, use the fuse rating indicated

in this chart. If you are using more than one amplifier, add up the fuse
ratings for all the amplifiers. This sum is the rating for your main fuse or
circuit breaker . Use a po wer distribution block or fuse near y our amplifiers
with the appropriate fuse for each individual power wire.

3

40 Amp
60 Amp
80 Amp

80 Amp

BACK TO CONTENTS

WIRING

The following is a basic f ormula to be used as a guide to determine current
draw. A 50% amplifier efficiency rating is used as an average. Your new

POWERCLASS

be less. This formula is to be used as a guideline. Using wire of a larger
gauge can only improve the current transfer of your system. Do not use
smaller gauge wire.

Total RMS output x 2 = Total Input Wattage

™

amplifier is more efficient, other amplifiers will probably

Total Input Wattage

Supply V oltage

Example: A

POWERCLASS

= Current Draw (in Amps)

™

4400 amplifier has four channels at 50 watts
RMS per channel into 4 Ohms (50 x 4 = 200). You would use the
formula in the following way:

200W x 2 = 400W
400W

= 33.3A Total current draw.

12V
If the same amplifier is driven into a 2 Ohm stereo or 4 Ohm mono load,

double it's 4 Ohm RMS rating. All
double their power at this load.

100W x 4 x 2 = 800W
800W

= 66.6A Total current draw.

12V
If you are using more than one amplifier, add up the total current draw

for all of them and choose the appropriate gauge based on the grand total.

Power Wire Calculator

Recommended MINIMUM Gauge

POWERCLASS

™

amplifiers will effectively

Total Current Draw Length Of Wire To Be Run

( in Amps) Up to 4ft. 4 to 7ft. 7 to 10ft. 10 to 13ft. 13 to 16ft. 16 to 19ft. 19 to 22ft. 22 to 28ft.

0-20 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8

20-35 12 10 8 8 6 6 6 4
35-50 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4
50-65 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 2
65-85 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 0
85-105 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0
105-125 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0
125-150 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 00

(

NOTE: The ground wire should be the same gauge as the power wire.

4

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WIRING

Before beginning, disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the
battery prior to working on the positive (+) terminal to prevent
a short to ground. This is important, unless you want to spend
the rest of your life with a nickname like
Reconnect the negative terminal only after all connections have
been made.

Factory Ground wire may
need to be replaced if it is
frayed or broken.

Run signal cables (RCAs)
and remote turn-on lead
down the opposite side of
the vehicle of the power
wire to avoid radiated noise.

eject

123

4

Trk 1

5

876

BASS

TREBLE

PPI

BALANCE

TRACK

VOLUME

RIGHT

FOWARD

REVERSE

LEFT

MARKET

INGDPT

"Sparky,"

or

"Smokey."

Positive
Battery
Terminal

Fuse must be
installed within
18" of battery

Drill a hole in the firewall
and use a rubber grommet
to keep wire from shorting.

Avoid sharp edges that
could chafe through the
insulation.

Warning!

Fuse must be installed within 18" of battery

Run the cables under the
carpet near the side of the
vehicle. Be careful not to
drill or screw into the wires
when you replace the trim.

For systems over 300 watts,
add a ground cable from the
amp to the battery
(see page 6).

Firmly attach Amp
Ground Wire to solid
metal (see page 6).

5

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Grounding

Locate an area near the amplifier(s) that is metal and clean an area
about the size of a quarter to bare metal. Inspect the area around
and underneath to be sure you won't drill into wires, brake or fuel lines.
Drill a pilot hole in the middle of this area. Terminate the ground wire
with a ring connector and attach it to the bare metal using a #8 sheet
metal screw and washer or preferably, a bolt, nut and a star washer
(not supplied). We suggest crimping and soldering this connection.
After the connection is complete, coat the area (on both sides) with
silicone or some similar material to prevent rust from developing on
the bare metal.

If your grand total current draw is over 50 amps (or total output
power is over 300 watts), you should run a ground wire beside
your power wire from the battery to the amplifier(s) in addition
to your regular ground wire. Keep the ground and power wires
as close together as possible, and use the same gauge wire f or both.
This will ensure that you have a good ground path, and may eliminate
such potential problems as engine noiseand overheated amplifiers.

POWER / GROUND

Charging System Considerations

If your grand total current draw is over 100 amps (or total output
power is over 600 watts), you are probably exceeding the capability
of your charging system. Dimming lights and fluctuating voltage are
solid indicators that you need to upgrade your alternator, battery
(or go to multiple batteries), or both.
Keep in mind that your amplifiers simply convert electrical energy
to acoustical energy, and any electrical deficiency will compromise
the performance of your sound system.
For more information about charging system upgrades, see your
local authorized
technical support office at

PrecisionPower

1-800-62POWER

Dealer or call the

6

PrecisionPower

.

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POWER / GROUND and REMOTE

Fastening screws

Once you have run both the power and ground wires, it's time
to connect the cables to the amplifier. Cut off excess wire and,
using wire strippers, strip the ends of the power and ground
cables approximately 1/4 inch. Locate the
and ground connector (supplied). With a small flat bladed screw
driver, loosen the screws before attempting to insert the cables.
Insert the wires into the appropriate hole, and tighten the
screws. Once the wires are secure, the
plugged into the amplifier. The Power/Ground
accommodate 6 gauge wire for the
wire for the

PC4800

and

PC6600

.

PowerLock

PowerLock

PC4200 / PC4400

may be

PowerLock

power

will

, and 4 gauge

Power/Ground

Remote turn-on

Your head unit should have a lead marked 'remote' or 'power
antenna' which will be used to turn on your amplifier. Extend
this lead through your vehicle along with your RCA signal wires.
Strip 1/4 inch of insulation off the wire and insert the end into
the center terminal of the 5-pin speaker/remote

PowerLock

Power wires

Connect to Amplifier

Po werLoc k.

7

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SPEAKER WIRING

Using 16 gauge or larger, run the speaker wires from the
amplifier location through the vehicle to the speakers. Observe
the same precautions for routing these wires that you followed
for running the power and remote turn-on wires. Cut off excess
and, using wire strippers, strip 1/4 inch of insulation. Locate
the speaker/remote turn-on
four outer screws on the underside of the connector and insert
the front (

PC4200, PC4400

speaker leads into the end. Check to be sure you've maintained
proper polarity before securing each wire.

Speaker

Power

Lock

Connector

Right Speaker negative

Right Speaker positive

Remote turn on

Left Speaker positive

Left Speaker negative

PowerLock

and

PC4800

connector. Loosen the

) or sub (

PC6600

)

Speaker

Power

Lock

Connector

Right Speaker negative

Right Speaker positive

Left Speaker positive

Left Speaker negative

Speaker/Remote

For the rear channels, locate the four terminal speaker

PowerLock

a four terminal
PowerClass Amplifiers, all speaker

connector. (For PC650, the front channel also uses

PowerLock

connector.) On 4 and 6 channel

PowerLocks

plug into the
amplifier with the screws facing up. Loosen the screws on the
top of the blocks and insert the stripped ends of the speaker
wires into the end. Double check polarity, secure each wire by
tightening the screws, and plug the

PowerLock

connector into

the amplifier with the screws on top.

8

Po werLock

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