PQ40.
table of contents introduction about this manual features of your PowerPlate™ warning and tips mounting locations system planning system configurations amplifier and crossover controls installation controls and connections signal sources internal signal routing multi-cross™ crossover and configurations constant bass control AC502 operation tuning troubleshooting specifications warranty information 1 2 2 3 3 4 5-9 10-11 12 12-13 14 15 16 17 17 17-18 19-20 21 22 introduction Although it may be hard to remem
about this manual To get the most from your a/d/s/ PowerPlate™, we recommend that you have the installation performed by your qualified authorized a/d/s/ dealer. If this unit is installed by your dealer, we will extend the warranty to two years instead of the standard one-year. However, if you feel that you have the necessary skills and prefer to perform the installation yourself, this manual will guide you through the process of installation and set-up.
warnings and tips Always disconnect the battery ground wire before doing any work on your vehicle. Reconnect the cable only after the installation is complete and the wiring has been checked to make sure that there are no problems. If your radio features a code type security system, be sure you know the code before disconnecting the battery! Your a/d/s/ PowerPlate™ should be installed in 12V negative ground vehicles only.
system planning Proper system planning is the best way to maximize your PowerPlate’s™ performance. By planning your installation carefully you can avoid situations where the performance or the reliability of your system is compromised. Your authorized a/d/s/ dealer has been trained to maximize your system’s sonic potential. Your a/d/s/ dealer is a valuable resource in helping you with your system design and installation.
system configurations All a/d/s/ PowerPlates™ provide extensive features, which make a variety of system configurations possible. It is not feasible to cover all of the possibilities within the few pages of this manual. There are a few system configurations, however, which are extremely popular when used alone or as a "building block" of a larger more elaborate system. Please review systems 1 through 6 described below for suggestions on how to configure the most popular combinations.
System 2 - PQ40.2 used in 3-channel mode with high-pass main speakers and low-pass subwoofer. Note: Although shown as 2-channel, the source unit may be either 2 or 4-channel depending on the setting of the 2/4 channel switch. 60A front left satellite front right satellite subwoofer System 3 - PQ40.2 used in 4-channel mode with 2 channels high-pass, 2 channels low-pass or bandpass.
System 4 - PQ40.2 in 2-channel bridged mode. Commonly used for subwoofers but may also be used for full range, midbass or midrange applications depending on crossover mode and frequency setting. Optional: AC502 can be used in this mode. 60A subwoofer subwoofer System 5 - PQ40.2 used in front high-pass , rear tri-mode operation. Channels 1 & 2 can be configured for high-pass or full range operation. Rear channel must be configured for full range operation.
System 6 - Two PQ40.2's, both set up as shown in system 3. One amp drives bi-amped midranges and tweeters with the second driving rear fill speakers and subwoofers.
System 7 - Two PQ40.2's, both set up as in system 2. One amp drives front speakers and one subwoofer with the second amp driving rear speakers and one subwoofer.
10 amplifier and crossover controls
11 2ch/4ch input switch- Leave this switch OUT if you are using 4 channels of input. Push the switch IN if you have only 2 channels of input to send input 1 and 2 to channels 3 and 4, respectively. (see page 15) level controls- Use these controls to match the input level from the source unit to each pair of amplifier channels. (see page 15) crossover 1/2 switch- this switch will turn the channel 1/2 crossover on or off, or send channel 3 and 4 signal to channels 1 and 2, respectively.
installation 1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Reconnect the ground cable only after the installation is complete and the wiring has been checked to make sure that there are no problems. If your radio features a code type security system, be sure you know the code before disconnecting the battery! 2. Run a minimum AWG #8 power wire directly from the battery to the PowerPlate™ mounting location.
60A Connect to chassis of vehicle Connect to 12V turn-on lead from source unit fuse Connect to chassis of vehicle Factory chassis ground 60 Amp fuse less than 18" from battery speaker connections for stereo configurations Minimum recommended impedance is 2 stereo. Speaker terminals accept up to AWG #12 speaker wire. 60A speaker connections for bridged configurations Minimum recommended impedance is 4 when bridged to subwoofers and 4 when bridged to full range speakers.
signal sources Due to the wide input level adjustment range, all a/d/s/ PowerPlates™ can be driven with either a conventional preamplifier drive signal or the amplifier signal from a powered source unit. This makes the PowerPlate™ perfect for upgrading an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) stereo system while retaining the factory installed radio. Because of the high impedance of the a/d/s/ input stage, the factory radio drives an easy load.
internal signal routing 2-channel/4-channel input switch - routes RCA input from channels 1/2 to channels 3/4. When the switch is engaged, channel 1 input is routed to both amplifier channels 1 and 3 with input channel 2 routed to amplifier channels 2 and 4. Switch in the engaged position. When the switch is disengaged, channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 receive signal individually from their respective inputs. Switch in the disengaged position.
The throughput DIN connector allows easy access to Channels 1-4 inputs for routing to additional amplifiers in your system by using the optional AC202 (DIN to female RCA) or AC207 (DIN to male RCA) adapter.
Constant bass circuit To mix sub-bass information into channels 1/2 and 3/4, select a low-pass crossover point, and use the level controls to set the level of sub-bass signal sent to channels 1/2 and 3/4. using the AC502 (optional) The AC502 remote level control, available as an accessory from your a/d/s/ dealer, may be used with your PowerPlate™ to remotely adjust the level of channels 3/4, OR to remotely adjust the constant bass level. To use this feature, simply connect.
adjusting input sensitivity The input sensitivity setting is important to ensure proper performance, low noise levels, and maximum system reliability. As a general rule, components at the "front end" of the system should be set as high as possible with the input sensitivity of the amplifier set as low as possible while still providing adequate volume levels. Using a high signal level from the source and a low input sensitivity setting on the amplifier will keep the background noise levels of the system low.
troubleshooting symptom possible cause action to take no output low or no remote turn-on input check remote turn-on voltage output at amplifier and correct as needed fuse blown check power wire integrity and reversed polarity, repair as needed and replace fuse power wires not connected check power wire and ground connections and repair or replace as needed audio input not connected or no output from source check input connections and signal integrity, repair or replace as needed speaker wires no
symptom possible cause action to take distorted output (cont’d) speakers are blown check system with known working speakers and repair or replace as needed poor bass response speakers wired with wrong polarity causing cancellation at low frequencies check speaker polarity and repair as needed crossover set incorrectly reset crossovers referring to the multi-cross™ crossover configuration section of this manual for detailed instructions impedance load to amplifier too low check speaker impedance
specifications amplifier section PQ 40.2 power output 4 (watts)1 4 channel 4 x 100 2 channel 2 x 300 power output 2 (watts)2 fuse type dimensions distortion all channels driven 4 x 150 60 A maxi 13" x 16 1/8" x 2" <0.
warranty information LIMITED TWO YEAR CONSUMER WARRANTY Directed Electronics, Inc. promises to the original purchaser, to replace this product should it prove to be defective in workmanship or material under normal use, for a period of two years from the date of purchase by the dealer as indicated by the date code marking of the product PROVIDED the product was installed by an authorized Directed dealer.
Directed Electronics, Inc.
