Kicker PT250 Bass Station Subwoofer User Manual
- June 10, 2024
- KICKER
Table of Contents
Kicker PT250 Bass Station Subwoofer User Manual
Your space-saving KICKER BassStation™ Powered Enclosure offer the quickest and easiest way to add a subwoofer to your vehicle. This system has been meticulously fi ne-tuned by KICKER engineers to deliver astounding performance and sound without the time-consuming setup required for a typical amp-sub upgrade.
INSTALLATION
Mounting: Choose a structurally sound location to mount your KICKER powered
subwoofer enclosure. Carefully check the areas where the mounting straps will
be placed. Make sure the mounting screws will not puncture the gas tank/brake
lines/wiring or interfere with any mechanical parts on the underside of the
mounting surface.
Choose a location that allows at least 4” (10cm) of open ventilation for the
amplifi er. If possible, mount the enclosure in the climate-controlled
passenger compartment.
If the supplied mounting hardware is not applicable to your installation, some other means of securely attaching the enclosure to the vehicle must be used.
Wiring
quick-connect harness audio inputs:
| White | Left + |
|---|---|
| White/Black | Left – |
| Grey | Right + |
| Grey/Black | Right – |
Observe the polarity of input connections to avoid signal loss.
Use the KICKER ZISL for source units with RCA outputs or splice the quick-
connect harness leads directly to your
source unit’s speaker-level outputs.
Automatic Turn-On Selection: KICKER powered enclosures offer two different automatic turn-on modes that can be selected on the side panel; +12V and DC Offset. Using the DC Offset mode causes the REM terminal to have +12V out for turning on additional amplifi ers.
- Remote Turn-On: Set the switch to +12V to use the remote turn-on lead from your source unit. Run 18 gauge wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the terminal labeled REM on the quickconnect power harness. This is the preferred automatic turn-on method.
- DC Offset Turn-On: If Remote Turn-On is not an option, the next best setting is DC Offset. The DC Offset mode detects a DC offset from the HI-Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been turned on.
Phase Switch: The phase switch lets you invert the phase of the signal played through your powered subwoofer. This is useful if the speakers in your system are out of phase with the subwoofer. Toggle this switch to fi nd the position that gives you the best bass response.
Input Level: The inputs on KICKER powered enclosures are capable of receiving either Hi (speaker-level) or Low-level (RCA) signals from your source unit. Set the Input Level switch on the side panel to match the outputs of your source unit.
Crossover Control: The variable crossover on the side panel allows you to adjust the crossover frequency from 50–120Hz. The setting for this control is subjective; 80Hz is a good place to start.
Input Gain Control: The input gain control is not a volume control. It matches the output of the source unit to the input level of the powered enclosure’s amplifi er. Turn the source unit up to about 3/4 volume (if the source unit goes to 30, turn it to 25). Next, slowly turn the gain on the powered enclosure up (clockwise) until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it down a little.
Bass Boost Control: The variable bass boost control on the side panel is designed to give you increased output (0–6dB) at 40 Hz. The setting for this control is subjective. If you turn it up, you must readjust the input gain control to avoid clipping the powered enclosure’s amplifi er.
Remote Bass Control: With the included remote bass control, you have the
ability to control the output level of your powered enclosure remotely. When
plugged into the enclosure, the remote bass control bypasses and takes the
place of the gain control on the side panel. To mount the remote bass level
control, simply screw the metal bracket to the chosen location, then slide the
housing onto the bracket until it snaps into place. Run the cable from the
controller to the “Remote Bass” jack on your powered enclosure’s side panel.
DO NOT disconnect the remote bass control when the amplifier is on!
REMOTE BASS CONTROL INSTALLATION
TROUBLESHOOTING
If your amplifi er does not appear to be working, check the obvious things fi rst such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect wiring connections, incorrect setting of crossover and gain controls, etc. There is a dual-stage PWR/PRT LED on side panel of your powered enclosure denoting the power state of the amplifi er. When the LED is blue, this indicates the powered enclosure is turned on and its amplifi er is functioning properly.
PWR/PRT LED off, no output? With a Volt Ohm Meter (VOM) check the
following: 1+12 volt power terminal (should read +12V to +16V) 2 Remote turn-
on terminal (should read +12V to +16V) 3 Check for reversed power and ground
connections. 4 Ground terminal, for proper conductivity. 5 Check for blown
fuses.
6 Check the AUTO TURN-ON switch setting. Check for a DC offset between a
speaker lead and ground if using DC-OFFSET mode.
PWR/PRT LED blue, no output? Check the following: 1 audio input connections 2 Substitute source unit with a “known” good source unit. 3 Check for a signal in the audio cable feeding the powered enclosure with the VOM meter set to measure “AC” voltage.
PWR/PRT LED red, no output? 1 Amplifi er shuts down only while vehicle is
running = voltage protection circuitry is engaged. Voltage to the amplifi er is
not within the 10–16 volt operating range. Have the vehicle’s
charging and electrical system inspected. 2 A red PWR/PRT LED may also
indicate low battery voltage. Check all the connections in your vehicle’s
charging system. It may be necessary to replace or charge your vehicle’s
battery or replace your vehicle’s alternator.
No or low output? 1 Check the balance control on source unit 2 Check the
amplifi er input connections.
3 Check the polarity of the input signal connections.
Alternator noise-whining sound with engine’s RPM? 1 Check for damaged RCA (or speaker input) cable 2 Check the routing of RCA (or speaker input) cable through your vehicle—move it away from power cables. 3 Check the source unit for proper grounding 4 Check the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high 5 Check ground wire connections and make sure they are tightly connected.
Reduced bass response? Flip the phase switch to the opposite position; if the bass improves, your speakers were out of phase with the subwoofer.
Ground Noise? KICKER amplifi ers are engineered to be fully compatible with all manufacturers’ head units. Some head units may require additional grounding to prevent noise from entering the audio signal. If you are experiencing this problem with your head unit, in most cases running a ground wire from the RCA outputs on the head unit to the chassis will remedy this issue. If you still have problems, run your input signal at speaker-level from your source unit to the amplifi er.
CAUTION: When jump starting the vehicle, be sure that connections made
with jumper cables are correct. Improper connections can result in blown
amplifi er fuses as well as the failure of other critical systems in the
vehicle.
If you have more questions about the installation or operation of your new
KICKER product, see the Authorized KICKER Dealer where you made your purchase.
For more advice on installation, click on the SUPPORT section on the KICKER
homepage, www.kicker.com. Please E-mail
[email protected] or call Technical Services
405-624-8583 for unanswered or specifi c
questions.
INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Contact your International KICKER dealer or distributor concerning specifi c procedures for your country’s warranty policies.
WARNING: KICKER products are capable of producing sound levels that can permanently damage your hearing! Turning up a system to a level that has audible distortion is more damaging to your ears than listening to an undistorted system at the same volume level. The threshold of pain is always an indicator that the sound level is too loud and may permanently damage your hearing. Please use common sense when controlling volume.
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
©2013 Stillwater Designs
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