Rockford Fosgate bd1000P, bd1500P User Manual

bd1000P
bd1500P

Installation &
Operation

Installation et fonctionnement
Instalación y funcionamiento
Einbau und Betrieb
Installazione e funzionamento

Mono Amplifiers

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Dear Customer,

Congratulations on your purchase of the world's finest brand of car audio amplifiers. At Rockford
Fosgate we are fanatics about musical reproduction at its best, and we are pleased you chose our
product. Through years of engineering expertise, hand craftsmanship and critical testing procedures,
we have created a wide range of products that reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you
deserve.

For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate product installed
by an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized training through Rockford
Technical Training Institute (RTTI). Please read your warranty and retain your receipt and original
carton for possible future use.

Great product and competent installations are only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to your
system. Make sure that your installer is using 100% authentic installation accessories from
Connecting Punch in your installation. Connecting Punch has everything from RCA cables and
speaker wire to Power line and battery connectors. Insist on it! After all, your new system deserves
nothing but the best.

To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford accessories,
which include everything from T-shirts and jackets to hats and sunglasses.

To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford accessories,
in the U.S. call 480-967-3565 or FAX [phone].
For all other countries, call +001-480-967-3565 or FAX [phone].

PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™

Continuous exposure to sound pressure levels over 100dB may cause permanent

hearing loss. High powered auto sound systems may produce sound pressure

levels well over 130dB. Use common sense and practice safe sound.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Installation Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Mounting Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Battery and Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Wiring the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Remote Punch Bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

NOTE: Review each section for more detailed information.

If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product, we recommend that
you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you need further assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800­669-9899. Be sure to have your serial number, model number and date of purchase available when
you call.

The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in the space provided
below as your permanent record. This will serve as verification of your factory warranty and may
become useful in recovering your source unit if it is ever stolen.

Serial Number: _________________________________________
Model Number: ________________________________________

Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Adjusting Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Adjusting Crossover Frequency . . . . . . . 8

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Limited Warranty Information. . . . . . . . . . 13

International Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CONTENTS OF CARTON

3

Visit our web site for the latest information on all Rockford products.

GETTING STARTED

Welcome to Rockford Fosgate! This manual is designed to provide
information for the owner, salesperson and installer. For those of you who want quick information
on how to install this product, please turn to the Installation Section of this manual. Other
information can be located by using the Table of Contents. We, at Rockford Fosgate, have worked
very hard to make sure all the information in this manual is current. But, as we are constantly
finding new ways to improve our product, this information is subject to change without notice.

www.rockfordfosgate.com

This symbol with “WARNING” is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important instructions. Failure to heed the
instructions will result in severe injury or death.

This symbol with “

CAUTION” is intended to alert the user to the

presence of important instructions. Failure to heed the
instructions can result in injury or unit damage.

CAUTION: To prevent injury and damage to the unit, please read and follow the

instructions in this manual. We want you to have enjoyment from this
system, not a headache.

CAUTION If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself, have it installed

by a qualified Rockford Fosgate technician.

CAUTION Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to

prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.

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Either a model bd1000P or bd 1500P
Mono Amplifier

Installation & Operation Manual
Mounting Hardware Kit

Remote Punch Bass Kit with Cord
1 3/32" Allen Wrench
1 9/64" Allen Wrench

The hardware kit included with each amplifier contains the mounting hardware necessary to secure
the amplifier to the vehicle and to attach the end caps to the amplifier.

NOTE: Refer to the specifications section for recommended fuse sizes.

4

DESIGN FEATURES

1. Cast Aluminum Heatsink – The cast aluminum heatsink of the amplifier dissipates heat

generated by the amplifier's circuitry. The inherent advantage of casting provides a 30%
improvement of cooling over conventional extrusion heatsink designs.

2.

REM Terminal – This spade terminal is used to remotely turn-on and turn-off the amplifier when
+12V DC is applied.

3. Power Terminals – The power and ground connectors on the amplifier are gold-plated and will

accommodate up to 4 AWG wire maximizing the input current capability of the amplifier.

4. LED Power Indicator – The LED illuminates when the unit is turned on.

5. Speaker Terminals – The heavy duty, gold-plated terminal block connectors (+ and –) will

accept wire sizes from 8 AWG to 18 AWG. These gold-plated connectors are immune to
corrosion that can cause signal deterioration.

6. bd Sync – The amplifiers have a 6 pin mini DIN connector. When operating two amplifiers in

the bridge mode, the SYNC cable must be used. This will allow the two independent frequency
carrier generators in each unit to be synchronized.

7. Punch Bass – The Punch Bass control helps correct for acoustical deficiencies in the listening

environment by helping produce full range sound without adding excessive boost.. The Punch
Bass control is a narrow band adjustment at 45Hz variable from 0dB to + 18dB. Connection is
made with a cable using RJ-45 and can be installed under the dash for remote control access.

8. Variable Crossover – The amplifiers have a built-in 24dB/octave Butterworth filter with a

crossover point variable from 50Hz to 250Hz. The crossover is set to Low-Pass (LP).

9. Subsonic Filter – A high pass filter designed to prevent frequencies below the audio range from

being applied to the subwoofer from the amplifier. Consequently, improving subwoofer
performance and power handling.

10. Phase – Used when connecting two bd amplifiers together to phase one amplifier 180° from the

other.

11. Gain Control – The input gain control is preset to match the output of most source units. It can

be adjusted to match output levels from a variety of source units.

12. RCA Input Jacks – The industry standard RCA jacks provide an easy connection for signal level

input. They are gold-plated to resist the signal degradation caused by corrosion.

13. Protect LED – The (red) LED illuminates when the unit is latched into protection. It requires

momentary AP removal to enable output PWM (Pulse Width Modulated).

14. RCA Pass-Thru Jacks – The Pass-Thru provides a convenient source for daisy-chaining an

additional amplifier without running an extra set of RCA cables from the front of the vehicle to
the rear amplifier location.

Power

Connection

5

INSTALLA

TION

INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a list of tools needed for installation:

Volt/Ohm Meter
Wire strippers
Wire crimpers
Wire cutters
#2 Phillips screwdriver
Battery post wrench

Hand held drill w/assorted bits
1/8" diameter heatshrink tubing
Assorted connectors
Adequate Length—Red Power Wire
Adequate Length—Remote Turn-on Wire
Adequate Length—Black Grounding Wire

This section focuses on some of the vehicle considerations for installing your new Amplifier. Pre­planning your system layout and best wiring routes will save installation time. When deciding on
the layout of your new system, be sure that each component will be easily accessible for making
adjustments.

CAUTION: If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself, have it installed

by a qualified technician.

CAUTION: Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to

prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.

Before beginning any installation, follow these simple rules:

1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before attempting to install the Unit.

2. For safety, disconnect the negative lead from the battery prior to beginning the installation.

3. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to mounting your Source Unit in place.

4. Route all of the RCA cables close together and away from any high current wires.

5. Use high quality connectors for a reliable installation and to minimize signal or power loss.

6. Think before you drill! Be careful not to cut or drill into gas tanks, fuel lines, brake or hydraulic
lines, vacuum lines or electrical wiring when working on any vehicle.

7. Never run wires underneath the vehicle. Running the wires inside the vehicle provides the best
protection.

8. Avoid running wires over or through sharp edges. Use rubber or plastic grommets to protect any
wires routed through metal, especially the firewall.

9. ALWAYS protect the battery and electrical system from damage with proper fusing. Install the
appropriate fuse holder and fuse on the +12V power wire within 18” (45.7 cm) of the battery
terminal.

10. When grounding to the chassis of the vehicle, scrape all paint from the metal to ensure a good,

clean ground connection. Grounding connections should be as short as possible and always be
connected to metal that is welded to the main body, or chassis, of the vehicle.

MOUNTING LOCATIONS

The mounting position of your amplified subwoofer will have a great effect on the sound
performance produced.

Engine Compartment

Never mount this unit in the engine compartment. Mounting the unit in the engine compartment
will void your warranty.

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6

INSTALLA

TION

BATTERY AND CHARGING

Amplifiers will put an increased load on the vehicle's battery and charging system. We recommend
checking your alternator and battery condition to ensure that the electrical system has enough
capacity to handle the increased load of your stereo system. Stock electrical systems which are in
good condition should be able to handle the extra load of any Rockford Fosgate amplifier without
problems, although battery and alternator life can be reduced slightly. To maximize the performance
of your amplifier, we suggest the use of a heavy duty battery and an energy storage capacitor.

WIRING THE SYSTEM

CAUTION

: If you do not feel comfortable with wiring your new unit, please see

your local Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer for installation.

CAUTION: Before installation, disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to

prevent damage to the unit, fire and/or possible injury.

CAUTION: Avoid running power wires near the low level input cables, antenna,

power leads, sensitive equipment or harnesses. The power wires carry
substantial current and could induce noise into the audio system.

1. Plan the wire routing. Keep RCA cables close together but isolated from the amplifier's power
cables and any high power auto accessories, especially electric motors. This is done to prevent
coupling the noise from radiated electrical fields into the audio signal. When feeding the wires
through the firewall or any metal barrier, protect them with plastic or rubber grommets to
prevent short circuits. Leave the wires long at this point to adjust for a precise fit at a later time.

2. Prepare the RED wire (power cable) for attachment to the amplifier by stripping 1/2" of
insulation from the end of the wire. Insert the bared wire into the B+ terminal and tighten the set
screw to secure the cable in place.

NOTE: The B+ cable MUST be fused 18" or less from the vehicle's battery. Install the fuseholder under

the hood and prepare the cable ends as stated above. Connections should be water tight.

3. Trim the RED wire (power cable) within 18" of the battery and strip1/2"of insulation from the
end of the wire. Cut the wire loop that is attached to the fuseholder in half and splice the fuse
into the power line using appropriate inline connectors. Use the section of cable that was
trimmed earlier and connect it to the other end of the fuseholder.

4. Strip 1/2" from the battery end of the power cable and crimp a large ring terminal to the cable.
Use the ring terminal to connect to the battery positive terminal.

DO NOT install the fuse at

this time.

5. Prepare the BLACK wire (Ground cable) for attachment to the amplifier by stripping 1/2" of
insulation from the end of the wire. Insert the bared wire into the GND terminal and tighten the
set screw to secure the cable in place. Prepare the chassis ground by scraping any paint from
the metal surface and thoroughly clean the area of all dirt and grease. Strip the other end of the
wire and attach a ring connector. Fasten the cable to the chassis using a non-anodized screw
and a star washer.

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Trunk Mounting

Mounting the amplifier vertically will provide the best cooling of the amplifier.

Mounting the amplifier on the floor of the trunk will work but provides less cooling capability than
vertical mounting.

Mounting the amplifier upside down to the rear deck of the trunk will not provide proper cooling
and will severely affect the performance of the amplifier and is strongly not recommended.

Passenger Compartment Mounting

Mounting the amplifier in the passenger compartment will work as long as you provide a sufficient
amount of air for the amplifier to cool itself. If you are going to mount the amplifier under the seat
of the vehicle, you must have at least 1" (2.54cm) of air gap around the amplifier's heatsink.

Mounting the amplifier with less than 1" (2.54cm) of air gap around the amplifier's heatsink in the
passenger compartment will not provide proper cooling and will severely affect the performance of
the amplifier and is strongly not recommended.

7

INSTALLA

TION

6. Prepare the REM turn-on wire for connection to the amplifier by stripping 1/2" of insulation from
the wire end. Insert the bared wire into the REM terminal and tighten the set screw to secure the
cable into place. Connect the other end of the REM wire to a switched 12 volt positive source.
The switched voltage is usually taken from the source unit's accessory lead. If the source unit
does not have this output available, the recommended solution is to wire a mechanical switch
in line with a 12 volt source to activate the amplifier.

7. Securely mount the amplifier to the vehicle or amp rack. Be careful not to mount the amplifier
on cardboard or plastic panels. Doing so may enable the screws to pull out from the panel due
to road vibration or sudden vehicle stops.

8. Connect the source signal to the amplifier by plugging the RCA cables/high level inputs into the
input jacks at the amplifier.

9. Connect the speakers. Strip the speaker wires 1/2" and insert into the speaker terminal and
tighten the set screw to secure into place. Be sure to maintain proper speaker polarity. DO NOT
chassis ground any of the speaker leads as unstable operation may result.

10. Perform a final check of the completed system wiring to ensure that all connections are
accurate. Check all power and ground connections for frayed wires and loose connections
which could cause problems.

NOTE: Follow the diagrams for proper signal polarity.

CAUTION: These amplifiers are not recommended for impedance loads below 2Ω.

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8

REMOTE PUNCH BASS

Mounting and installation

1. Find a location, either under the dash or
near the center console, that gives easy
access to the remote.

2. Using the screws supplied, install the
mounting clip with the tabs towards t
he back.

3. Route the cable for the remote and
connect to both the remote and
amplifed subwoofer.

4. Slip the remote onto the mounting clip
until it snaps into place.

5. Install the decal and knob onto the
remote.

Mounting

Clip

Knob

Decal

INSTALLA

TION

OPERATION

ADJUSTING GAIN

To adjust the gain setting, turn the amplifier gains all the way down. Turn the source unit volume up
until distortion is audible and then turn it down a bit until the distortion is inaudible. This will be
about two thirds all the way up on most source units. Next, turn the amplifier gain setting until once
again distortion is audible and then back it down until the distortion is inaudible. Rockford Fosgate
source units do not distort, so the volume can be used at maximum setting.

NOTE: For a more in depth setting procedure, contact Rockford Technical Support.

ADJUSTING CROSSOVER FREQUENCY

The crossover frequency can be adjusted between 50-250Hz. The crossover is set to LP (Low Pass)
operation only.

Turn the crossover adjustment knob all the way down. With the system playing, turn the crossover
adjustment knob up slowly until the desired crossover point is achieved.

SUBSONIC FILTER

Placing the switch to "ON" engages a subsonic filter limiting the amount of low frequency
information going to the woofer. Set this to your personal preference while listening to the system
one way, then the other.

9

APPLICATIONS

RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION FOR 0NE (1) AMPLIFIER

MODEL bd1000P bd1500P

Operational Voltage Range (DC Volts) 10 – 15.5 10 – 15.5
Minimum Speaker Impedance 2Ω (Ohms) 2Ω (Ohms)
Typical Current Draw (Music) (Amps) 50A 90A
Typical Current Draw (Sine Waves) (Amps) 80A 140A
Recommended Alternator Size

(Street Driven Car) (Amps) 75A 100A
Recommended Alternator Size

(Competition Car) (Amps) 150A 200A
Recommended Power & Gound Wire Size

(AWG – American Wire Gauge) 4 Gauge 4 Gauge
Recommended Capacitor Size 1 Farad 1.5 Farad