model 1200t CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations for choosing a Directed Audio power amplifier from Directed Electronics, the industry leader in high quality automotive security and audio equipment since 1990. Directed Audio power amplifiers continue to set new standards of performance, reliability, and affordability in the mobile electronics industry. Featuring high-efficiency MOSFET power supplies, flexible on-board crossovers, and state of the art audio design, Directed Audio power amplifiers will excite and delight the mobile sound enthusiast with years of high-quality audio reproduction. Directed Audio power amplifiers come with a two-year limited warranty if installed by an authorized Directed dealer. If not installed by an authorized dealer, Directed Audio power amplifiers are covered by a one-year, parts-andlabor limited warranty. Be sure to retain your original sales receipt and refer to the warranty section of this guide for full details about your coverage. TABLE OF CONTENTS Congratulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Limited Two-year Consumer Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Front Panel Connections/Status LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Rear Panel connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Top Panel Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Amplifier Controls Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Bitwriter® Features and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Speaker Wiring Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Crossover Settings and Gain Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Subsonic Filter Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 2 © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc 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. During this two year period, there will be no charge for this replacement PROVIDED the unit is returned to Directed, shipping pre-paid. If the unit is installed by anyone other than an authorized Directed dealer, the warranty period will be one-year from the date of purchase by the dealer as indicated by the date code marking of the product. During this one-year period there will be no charge for this replacement PROVIDED the unit is returned to Directed, shipping pre-paid. This warranty is non-transferable and does not apply to any unit that has been modified or used in a manner contrary to its intended purpose, and does not cover damage to the unit caused by installation or removal of the unit. This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by accident or unreasonable use, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in materials or construction. ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EXPRESS WARRANTY, IMPLIED WARRANTY, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND WARRANTY OF NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, AND DIRECTED NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT. DIRECTED HAS ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL ACTS OF THIRD PARTIES INCLUDING ITS AUTHORIZED DEALERS OR INSTALLERS. Unit must be returned to Directed, postage prepaid, with: consumer's name, telephone number, and address, authorized dealer's name and address, and product description. IN ORDER FOR THIS WARRANTY TO BE VALID, YOUR UNIT MUST BE SHIPPED WITH PROOF OF INSTALLATION BY AN AUTHORIZED DIRECTED DEALER. ALL UNITS RECEIVED BY DIRECTED FOR WARRANTY REPAIR WITHOUT PROOF OF DIRECTED DEALER INSTALLATION WILL BE COVERED BY THE LIMITED ONE-YEAR PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY. Note: This warranty does not cover labor costs for the removal and reinstallation of the unit. BY PURCHASING THIS PRODUCT, THE CONSUMER AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ALL DISPUTES BETWEEN THE CONSUMER AND Directed SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAWS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc 3 FEATURES High-speed MOSFET switching power supply and dual N-channel MOSFET outputs Stereo, mono, or simultaneous stereo/mono operation Thermal, DC offset, reverse polarity, short circuit and over/under voltage protection Top-mounted controls located under smoked plexiglass cover Programmable features controlled via ESP serial databus and Directed's proprietary Bitwriter® tool (998T) * * The Bitwriter® unit must have version 1.8 or above to access the amplifier features menu. Top and side panel ESP I/O ports for connection for ESP-2 Security components and current Bitwriter module with Audio programming Continuously variable 12 dB/octave two-way crossover (Selectable 24 dB LP/mono mode) Variable 0-15 dB bass EQ function Buffered stereo full-range RCA output jacks Gold-plated RCA jacks ensure maximum signal transfer Rugged one-piece extruded heat sink finished with injection-molded mounting feet WARNING High-powered car audio systems may produce sound pressure levels that exceed the threshold at which hearing loss may result. They may also impair a driver's ability to hear traffic sounds or emergency vehicles. Use common sense and practice safe listening habits when listening to or adjusting your audio system. 4 © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc NOTE Prior to servicing your vehicle ensure that the alarm system is disarmed. Due to the amplifier's anti-theft feature (if enabled), if the main power to the amplifier is removed while the alarm is armed the amplifier operation is disabled. The amplifier operation must then be reset by your Directed dealer. INSTALLATION GUIDELINES 1. Please read this owner's manual carefully before installing this amplifier. 2. Disconnect the battery ground terminal prior to making any electrical connections. 3. Check for any hazards or obstructions such as gas tanks, fuel or brake lines, and wiring harnesses before mounting the amplifier. 4. Pick a mounting location that will provide adequate access and ventilation and protect the amplifier from heat, moisture, and dirt. 5. Avoid sharp metal areas when routing cables to the amplifier, and run RCA cables away from the power cables and other potentially noisy car harnesses. 6. The amplifier should be grounded with a short, heavy gauge wire connected directly to the car at a bare metal surface, preferably scraped body sheet metal. Do not use factory grounded locations, seat bolts, or brackets that are spotwelded. 7. Always fuse your power connection within in 8 to 10 inches of the battery terminal. Use a fuse or circuit breaker rated slightly more than the on-board fuse(s) of the amplifier(s). The gauge of power wire used should take into account the total current draw of the system, and the length of the wire used. IASCA and other auto sound competition organizations have charts available for this; you can also find a chart in the MECP study guide. Minimum wire gauge recommendations for the individual amplifiers are listed on the specification page. Always use the same gauge wire for the amplifier ground that you use for the power wire. Be sure to examine the battery ground © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc 5 cable of the vehicle, and if necessary, upgrade it by adding an additional ground wire that is the same gauge as the amplifier's power wire. Remember, the amplifier can only deliver its rated output when it is not current limited by the power and ground supply wires. 8. This amplifier is designed to drive a speaker load that measures from 1 to 8 ohms. Keep in mind that heat is the long-term enemy of automotive electronics and the lower your speaker load, the more heat is generated. For low impedance speaker applications or restricted ventilation installations, an external cooling fan may be advisable. 9. Battery and ground connections to the vehicle should be made with crimped ring terminals of the appropriate size (surface area is what counts); soldering the terminals after crimping is also recommended. 10. Due to the high-frequency MOSFET switching power supply, filtering the power cable is not generally required (remember that the amp can't deliver full output if the power supply is restricted). Proper grounding of the signal source is mandatory for the amplifier to reach its performance peak. If the RCA inputs are not grounded adequately via the signal source, electrical noise from the vehicle may be picked up in the system. 6 © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc FRONT PANEL CONNECTIONS/STATUS LED 1. RCA Output Jacks - These pass through RCA jacks can be used to send a signal to a second amplifier. 2. RCA Input Jacks - Accepts line level outputs from head units or signal processors at voltages between 250 mV and 8 volts. 3. Speaker Load Select - Set 1 or 2/4 ohm to match the stereo load impedance of the system. 4. Fan Port - connection port for FIGURE 1--AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS 1200T FRONT connecting external, 12v DC brushless fan. 5. ESP Port - For connecting the amplifier to ESP-2 alarm or second 1200T amplifier. 6. Remote Level - Optional accessory which allows the level to be adjusted remotely (usually located for control by the vehicle's driver). 1 OUTPUT INPUT R 2 3 SPEAKER LOAD SELECT 1 2/4 45 6 - + ESP FAN PORT REMOTE LEVEL L © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc 7 REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS 1. Speaker Out Terminals - Connect the speakers to these terminals. (Refer to the Speaker Connection section of this guide.) 2. Power LED - This LED will illuminate Green to indicate the amplifier is on and operating normally. The LED will extinguish if the amplifier is off or if the amplifier shuts-down due to short circuit, DC offset, or overheating. 3. One Ohm LED - This LED will illuminate when the 1-ohm mode is selected. 4. Fuse 30A x 3 - These fuses protect the amplifier against internal electrical damage and are meant to protect the amplifier only. All other power connections should be fused at the source. 5. (+) BATT - Connect this terminal through a FUSE or CIRCUIT BREAKER to the positive terminal of the vehicle battery or the positive terminal of an isolated audio system battery. WARNING: Always protect this power wire by installing a fuse or circuit breaker of the appropriate size within 12 inches of the battery terminal connection. 6. REM (Remote Turn On) - This terminal turns on the amplifier when (+) 12 volt is applied to it. Connect it to the remote turn on lead of the head unit or signal source. If a (+) 12 volt remote turn lead is not available, a Remote Power Adapter (P/N #55000) can be used to supply a remote turn on signal. DO NOT connect this terminal to constant (+) 12 volt. 7. GND (Ground) - Connect this terminal directly to the sheet metal chassis of the vehicle using the shortest wire necessary to make this connection. Always use wire of the same gauge or larger than the (+) 12 volt power wire. The chassis connection point should be scraped free of paint and dirt. Use only quality crimped and/or soldered connectors at both ends of this wire. DO NOT connect this terminal directly to the vehicle battery ground terminal or any other factory ground points. 8 © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc FIGURE 2--AMPLIFIER CONNECTIONS 1200T REAR 1 L 1 MIN 2, 3 R 4 FUSE 30A x 3 567 + BATT REM GND POWER BRIDGED 2 MIN ONE OHM TOP PANEL FEATURES Control Panel Cover Remove/Install The gain and filter controls are located under a control panel cover on top of the amplifier. The control panel cover must be removed to gain access to the gain and filter controls. Four Allen-head screws hold the control panel cover to the amplifier top panel, one at each corner. They can be removed with the wrench supplied in the hardware pack. © 2004 Directed Electronics, Inc 9 AMPLIFIER CONTROLS TOP 1. ESP Port - Allows programming of the amplifier using the Bitwriter®. 2. Subsonic Frequency Hz - This control adjusts the subsonic filter cutoff (between 15-50 Hz). 3. Subsonic Filter - The IN position places the ...