2-2015.fm Page 1 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM Cat. No. 12-2015 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
12-2015.fm Page 2 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM FEATURES 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 channel of clean, powerful sound at all audio frequencies with minimum distortion. You can connect your autosound system’s low-level or speakerlevel outputs to this amplifier.
12-2015.fm Page 3 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM CONTENTS Preparation ........................................................................................................... 4 Supplied Hardware ......................................................................................... 4 Before You Begin the Installation .................................................................... 4 Choosing a Mounting Location .................................................................
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 INSTALLATION Before you install your amplifier, read 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.
12-2015.fm Page 5 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM Choosing a Mounting Location A good location for mounting the amplifier is in your vehicle’s trunk.
12-2015.fm Page 6 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM 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. 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. Important: • Do not cut these wires.
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 amplifier’s GND (ground) terminal. 3.
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 amplifier on when you turn off your autosound system.
12-2015.fm Page 9 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM CONNECTING INPUTS LOW-LEVEL INPUTS You can connect your autosound system’s low-level line out jacks to the amplifier’s low-level line in jacks. If your autosound system does not have low-level line out jacks, see “High Level (Speaker Wire) Inputs” on Page 11 to connect your amplifier. 1. Temporarily place the amplifier as close as possible to the selected mounting location. 2.
12-2015.fm Page 10 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM If your autosound system has two line out jacks (left and right), connect the autosound system to the amplifier as shown: (illus) Note: For the best results, use shielded audio Y-adapters such as Cat. No. 422435 (not supplied).
12-2015.fm Page 11 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM HIGH-LEVEL (SPEAKER WIRE) INPUTS 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 HIGH INPUT jacks. • 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.
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12-2015.fm Page 14 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM CONNECTING SPEAKERS You can connect two or four speakers to the amplifier and your autosound system. Preparing the Speaker Wires Caution: You must connect a separate 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.
12-2015.fm Page 15 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM Connecting the Speakers to the Amplifier (illustration) 1. Use a screwdriver to connect the front left speaker’s positive (+) wire to the amplifier’s SPEAKERS FL (+) terminal. 2. Use a screwdriver to connect the front left speaker’s negative (–) wire to the amplifier’s SPEAKERS FL (–) terminal. 3. Repeat Steps 1–2 to connect the front right speaker’s positive (+) and negative (–) wires to the amplifier’s SPEAKERS FR (+) and SPEAKERS FR (–) terminals. 4.
12-2015.fm Page 16 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION TESTING THE CONNECTIONS MOUNTING THE AMPLIFIER Before you continue, make sure you have securely made all connections. Then reconnect the cable to the vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal. Once you verify that the amplifier is connected properly, follow these steps to mount it. Set LEVEL (MIN/MAX) on both ends of the amplifier to its mid position (see “Adjusting the Audio Level” on Page 18).
12-2015.fm Page 17 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM 4. Drill 9/64-inch (3.57 mm) holes at the marked locations, being careful not to damage anything behind the mounting surface. 7. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery’s negative (–) terminal. 5. Secure the amplifier to the mounting surface using the supplied sheet metal screws and washers. 6. Reconnect the wiring. 8. Reset your vehicle’s clock, your autosound system’s tuner memory, and other timer/memory devices.
12-2015.fm Page 18 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM OPERATION TURNING ON THE AMPLIFIER 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) 1. Use a screwdriver to turn both LEVEL (MIN/MAX) controls fully counterclockwise to MIN. (illustration) 2.
12-2015.fm Page 19 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM TROUBLESHOOTING 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 not, take the amplifier to your local RadioShack store for assistance. SYMPTOM No power — the amplifier’s POWER indicator does not light after the vehicle’s autosound system is turned on No sound POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTION Power problem.
12-2015.fm Page 20 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM SYMPTOM No sound (continued) Distorted sound The amplifier’s PROTECTION indicator lights 20 POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTION The amplifier might have shut down (continued) The amplifier detected an input overload. Reduce the autosound system’s volume. Power problem. Check the amplifier’s and autosound system’s fuses and replace them if necessary (see “Replacing a Fuse” on Page 23).
12-2015.fm Page 21 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE The amplifier might be receiving too much power from your autosound system. SUGGESTION Reduce your autosound system’s output power (if possible), or reduce the autosound system’s volume.
12-2015.fm Page 22 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your Optimus XL-150 High Power 4-Channel Stereo Amplifier is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following 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.
12-2015.fm Page 23 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM REPLACING A FUSE 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: Let the amplifier cool down and see if it starts again before you assume a fuse needs to be replaced. Caution: Do not use a fuse with ratings other than those specified here. Doing so might damage your amplifier. Replacing the SFE-Type Fuse 1.
12-2015.fm Page 24 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM Replacing the Blade-Type Fuse 1. Disconnect the cable from the vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal. 3. If the fuse is blown, replace it. Use only a blade-type fuse with the proper rating (such as Cat. No. 270-1084). The fuse must be 25 amps. 4. Grasp the fuse’s plastic end and push it in. 5. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle’s negative (–) battery terminal. 2. Grasp the fuse’s plastic end and pull it out.
12-2015.fm Page 25 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM SPECIFICATIONS Output Power: Front ..................................... 10 Watts ¥ 2 @ 4 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 0.5% THD 20 Watts ¥ 2 @ 4 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 10% THD 15 Watts ¥ 2 @ 2 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 1% THD Rear ...................................... 45 Watts ¥ 2 @ 4 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 0.5% THD 55 Watts ¥ 2 @ 4 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 10% THD 45 Watts ¥ 2 @ 2 Ohms, 20–20 kHz, 1% THD Frequency Response ...........................................................
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12-2015.fm Page 28 Tuesday, July 13, 1999 3:47 PM Limited One-Year Warranty 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 company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
