Your Optimus XL-150 High Power 4Channel Stereo Amplifier is designed
to give added punch and power to your
vehicle’s existing autosound system.
The amplifier produces up to 40 watts
(front) and 110 watts (rear) per c hannel of clean, powerful sound at all audio frequencies with minimum distortion. You can connect your autosound system’s low-level or speakerlevel outpu t s to this amplifier.
Its features include:
14K Gold-Plated Noise-Isolated
let you con-
Low-Level Input Jacks
—
nect low-level (preamplifier) signal inputs to match your autosound system’s output for the best high-fidelity
performance.
14K Gold-Plated Speaker Ter min als
designed for low impedance, high
—
conductivity, and minimum corrosion,
to provide the highest signal transfer
and lowest sound distortion.
eliminates
Mute Turn On Circuit
—
the thump you hear when you turn on
some amplifiers.
lights when power
Power Indicator
—
is supplied to the amplifier.
protects the amplifier by
Auto-Off
—
temporarily shutting do wn i f it gets t oo
hot or it detects an input overload. The
amplifier restarts automatically when it
cools or the problem is corrected.
lights if the
Protection Indicator
—
amplifier shuts down its rear channel.
distorts
Short Circuit Protection
—
the amplifier’s sound if any output
channel shorts, alerting you to turn off
the autosound system.
let you adjust
Input Level Controls
—
the level of the audio signals that enter
the amplifier.
Automatic Power Switchin
— 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).
Replacing the SFE-Type Fuse ................................................................ 22
Replacing the Blade-Type Fuse ............................................................. 23
3
12-2015.fm Page 4 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM
PREPARATION
SUPPLIED HARDWARE
Your amplifier comes with the following items. Be sure you locate everything shown
before you store or dispose of the packing materials.
(illustration - show all amplifier parts, wires, and hardware)
BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE INSTAL LATION
Before you install your amplifier, rea d all the instructions in this owner’s manual.
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 a n existing aut osound 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 v ehicle might require cutting or modifying
your vehicle.
4
g
123
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Choosing a Mounting
Location
A good location for mounting the amplifier is in your vehicle’s trunk. Wh erever you decide t o moun t it, choos e a
location that:
• Does not interfere with the vehicle’s operation
• Lets you drill mounting hole s without damaging other vehicle components
• Allows enough space around the
cooling fins for proper airflow and
cooling
• Lets you easily see the ampl ifier’s
POWER and PROTECTION indicators
Warnin
while it is on. Do not touch the amplifier
or place flammable objects near it
while it is on.
The amplifier gets very hot
:
Preparing the Mounting Area
Before you mount the a mplifier, 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 colorcoded wires.
Then con firm that the amplifier fits in
your vehicle’s available mounting area. This amplifier requires a 2
high by 10 -inch wi de by 12
(5.2 ¥ 25.4 ¥ 30.8 cm) mounting area
with adequate ventilation space.
1
/16-inch
1
/8-inch deep
Routing Cables and W ires
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 b eneath the vehic le’ 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 sections in this Owner’s Manual in order. First, temporarily connect
the amplifier to:
Ground and power
Your autosound system’s outputs
Your speakers
Then test the connections. When you
verify that everything works as expected, disconnect the amplifier , mount it in
your vehicle, and reconnect it.
Caution:
nections in the order shown, d amage
to the amplifier and your autosound
system is possible if any wire connections are made incorrectly.
Note:
each wire you plan to connect with the
name of the terminal you will connec t
it to.
If you do not make the con-
For easier installation, mark
5
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BEFORE YOU MAKE THE
CONNECTIONS
The supplied connection cables include all the lead wires you need to
connect the amp l ifier 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 t his product. However, RadioShack
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.
will
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 front speakers can
handle as much as 20 watts per
channel and your rear speakers
as much as 55 wat ts per channel
of power. Each speaker must
have an impedance of at least 4
ohms. Your local RadioShack
store carries a full line of speakers.
You might need additional wire, depending on your individual autosound
system, to complete the connections.
Your local RadioShack sto re carries a
full line of wire a nd wire managem ent
accessories.
6
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.
12-2015.fm Page 7 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM
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 am pl ifier ’s
(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
(remote power) terminal.
GND
REM
7
12-2015.fm Page 8 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM
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.
(illus)
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 am plifier
on when you turn off your autosound system.
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 p revents your vehicle’s battery from
being drained if you leave your
amplifier on when you turn off the
ignition.
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
ter-
minal.
7. Connect the other end of the red
power cable to your vehicle’s positive (+) battery terminal as shown.
Then tighten the terminal.
(illus)
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.
8
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CONNECTING INPUTS
LOW-LEVEL INPUTS
You can connect your auto sound system’ s low-level line out jacks to the amplifier’s low- leve l l ine in jacks.
If your autosound system does
(Speaker Wire) Inputs” on Page 11 to connect your amplifier.
1. Temporarily place the amplifier as close as possible to the selected mou nting
location.
If your autosound system has four separate line out jacks
2.
sound system to the amplifier as shown:
not
have low-level line out jacks, see “High Level
, connect the auto-
(illus)
For the best results, use shielded audio cables such as Cat. No. 42-2368
If your autosound system does not
have low-level line out jacks but has
only speaker outputs, connect your
autosound system’s speaker outputs
to the amplifier’s
• If your autosound system has four
speaker outputs, see “Four
Speaker Outputs” on Page 12 to
connect your system’s speaker
outputs to the amplifier using
either a floating or common
ground connection.
• If your autosound system has two
speaker outputs, see “Two
Speaker Outputs” on P age 13 to
connect your system’s speaker
outputs to the amplifier using either a floating or common ground
connection.
HIGH INPUT
jacks.
Note :
lets the amplifier provide more p ower
to each speak er, but req uires that you
connect a separate wire to each
speaker terminal. A common ground
connection lets you use fewer wires to
connect the speak ers to the amplifier,
but reduces the amount of power supplied to the speakers from the amplifier.
Use the supplied wire harne sses and
the supplied twist-on term inal connectors to make the appropriate connections.
You can connect two or four speakers
to the amplifier and your autosound
system.
Preparing the Speaker Wires
Caution:
rate wire to each speaker terminal as
described in the following procedures.
Only use a common ground wire or
chassis ground if your autosound system is wired for it.
Notes:
• We recommend you use 16- or 18-
• Color-coded wires have a stripe
You must connect a sepa-
gauge marked or color-coded
wires to help you corr ectl y conne ct
the speakers to your amplifier.
running down one of the conductors or different colored insulation
for each conductor. Your local
RadioShack store has a wide
selection of speaker wire to
choose from.
1. With the speakers placed in their
approximate locations, run one
wire from each speaker to the
amplifier.
If you are connecting a subwoofer,
run two wires from each of the
subwoofer’s terminals to the
amplifier.
2. Separate each wire’s two conductors at both ends for a length of
about 4 inches.
3. Strip the insulation from the ends
of each conductor to expose
1
inch of wire. Twist the ends to
secure loose strands.
Wire Strands
Conductors
/
4
• For the maximum bass response
and the best overall performance,
keep your speakers properly
phased (co nnect + to + and – to –).
Before you continue, make sure you
have securely made all connections.
Then reconnect th e cable to the vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
Set
the amplifier to its mid position (see
“Adjusting the Audio Level” on
Page 18). Then turn on your vehicle’s
ignition and autosound s ystem to confirm that the amplifier and autosound
system operate properly. The a mplifier turns on after a few seconds.
If you cannot quickly confirm whether
the autosound system and amplifier
are working properly,
vehicle’s i
the cable from
tive (–) batter
check your connections.
After you test the autosound system
and amplifier and verify that everything is properly connected and working, follow the instructions in
“Mounting the Amplifier.”
nition and disconnect
on both ends of
turn off
our v eh ic le’ s n ega-
terminal.
Then re-
our
MOUNTING THE
AMPLIFIER
Once you verify that the amplifier is
connected properly, follow these steps
to mount it.
1. Disconnect the cable from the
vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal.
2. To make mounting more convenient, temporarily disconnect the
amplifier’s connections (ground,
primary power, remote power,
your autosound system’s input,
and speakers).
Note:
done so, be sure to mark each
wire with the name of the terminal
you will reconnect it to.
3. Using the mounting holes on the
amplifier as a guide, mark the
positions for the mounting holes.
The amplifier automatically turns on a
few seconds after you turn your vehicle’s ignition switch to ACC or ON, or
turn on your autosound system, depending on how you wired the system.
The POWER indicator on the side of the
amplifier lights when the amplifier is on.
(illustration)
Important:
amps or more of power from your vehicle’s battery during opera tion. To protect your battery from discharging, do
not operate the amplifier unless your
vehicle is running.
Note:
down if it gets too hot, then restarts automatically once it cools.
Your amplifier requires 25
Your amplifier temporarily shuts
1. Use a screwdriver to turn both
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
counterclockwise to
(illustration)
2. Turn the autosound system’s v olume control to about one-third of
its full range.
3. Adjust both
trols to a comfortable listening
level.
4. Turn up the autosound system’s
volume control until the sound
begins to distort. Then immediately turn the volume down to a
point just before where the distortion began.
Caution:
sound system’s volume control
more than needed to adjust the
audio level, or more than twothirds of it s m a x im u m v olu me.
Never turn up the auto-
controls fully
MIN
.
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
con-
ADJUSTING THE AUDIO
LEVEL
For the best performance, you must
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
set
amplifier to adjust the level of t he audio
signals that enter the amplifier.
18
on the end of the
5. Adjust both
trols until the sound is at the maximum level you want the amplifier
to produce.
6. Adjust the autosound system’s
volume control to a comfortable
listening level.
We do not expect you to have any problems with your Optimus XL-150 High Power
4-Channel Car Amplifier, but if you have a problem, this chart might help. If n ot,
take the amplifier to your local RadioShack store for assistance.
SYMPTOMPOSSIBLE CAUSESUGGESTION
No power — the ampli-
Power problem.Check the amplifier’s
fier’s POWER indicator
does not light after the
vehicle’s autosound system is turned on
Vehicle’s ignition not
turned on.
Amplifier not connected
to autosound system/
vehicle correctly.
No soundAutosound system not
turned on or volume set
to minimum.
Amplifie r ’s
MAX)
LEVEL (MIN/
controls set to min-
imum.
Amplifier not connected
to autosound system/
vehicle correctly.
The amplifier might have
shut down.
and autosound system’s fuses and replace
them if necessary (see
“Replacing a Fuse” on
Page 23).
Start the vehicle.
Check all connections.
Turn the autosound system on or adjust its volume.
Adjust
LEVEL (MIN/MAX)
Check all connections.
Turn your autosound
system off and let the
amplifier cool. Make
sure the amplifier is
properly ventilated. Then
turn your autosound system back on. The amplifier turns itself back on
when it has cooled.
receiving too much input
power from your autosound system.
An output channel might
have shorted.
The amplifier might have
shut down.
The amplifier detected
an input overload.
Reduce the autosound
system’s volume.
and autosound system’s fuses and replace
them if necessary (see
“Replacing a Fuse” on
Page 23).
Reduce your autosound
system’s output power
(if possible), or reduce
the autosound system’ s
volume.
Take the amplifier to
your local RadioShack
store.
Turn your autosound
system off and let the
amplifier cool. Make
sure the am plifier is
properly ventilated. Then
turn your autosound system back on. The amplifier turns itsel f back on
when it has cooled.
The amplifier’s PROTECTION indicator
lights
20
Amplifier not connected
to autosound system
correctly.
Your Optimus XL-150 High Power 4-Channel Stereo Amplifier is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The follow ing suggestions will help you care for
your amplifier so you can enjoy it for years.
Keep the amplifier dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids
might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
Keep the amplifier away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature wear of parts.
Handle the amplifier gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage circuit boards and cases and can cause the amplifier to work improperly.
Wipe the amplifier with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking
new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the amplifier.
Modifying or tampe ring with the amplifier’s internal components c an cause a malfunction and might invalidate your amplifier’s warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it. If your amplifier is not performing as it should, take it to your local
RadioShack store for assistance.
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW
Your amplifier might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your amplifier is causing the interference, turn off your
amplifier. If the interference goes away, your amplifier is causing it. Try to eliminate
the interference by:
If the amplifier does not operate, you
might need to replace the red power
cable’s 25-amp SFE-type fuse or the
25-amp blade-type fuse on the amplifier’s back panel. Check both fuses.
Important:
down and see if it starts a gain before
you assume a fuse needs to be replaced.
Caution:
ings other than those specified here.
Doing so might damage your a mplifier.
Repla cing the SFE-Type Fuse
1. Disconnect the cable from the
vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal.
Let the amplifier cool
Do not use a fuse with rat-
2. Push together and twist the fuse
holder’s parts on the red power
cable until they spring apart. Then
remove the fuse.
(illus - show fuse holder)
3. If the fuse is blown, replace it. Use
only an SFE-type fuse with the
proper rating (available at many
automotive supply stores). The
fuse must be 25 amps.
4. Reassemble the fuse holder by
inserting the fuse into the longer
of the fuse holder’s ends, and
pushing together and twisting the
two parts until they latch.
5. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal.
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack compan y-owned stores and autho rized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS
WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN
LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE
NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT
TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFORMANCE
OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF A NY BREAC H OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow th e limitatio ns on how l ong an implied warranty last s or the exclusio n of incidenta l or
consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the RadioShack sales receipt as
proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law:
(a) correct the defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the
same or similar design; or (c) r efund the purchase pr ice. Al l repl aced part s and produ cts, and pr oducts on whic h
a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in
the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of
the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration
of the warranty period.
This warranty d oes no t cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attr ibutable to act s of God , abus e, accide nt,
misuse, improper o r abnormal u sage, failure to follow instru ctions, improper i nstallation or m aintenance, alte ration, lightning or other incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consum ables such as fuses or batterie s; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment
or reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, Dept. W, 100 Throckmorton St., Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
3/97
RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
8A7Printed in Taiwan
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