db DRIVE WDX M1.5 Amplifier User Manual

WDX M1.5, WDX M4
User Manual

WDX M1.5 Amplifier

Due to continuous improvement of the product the Specifications are subject to change without notice.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of a DB Drive state-of-the-art power amplifier. Your selection of a DB Drive car audio product indicates a true appreciation of fine musical reproduction. Whether adding to an existing system or including your DB Drive amplifier in a new system, you are certain to notice immediate performance benefits.

KEEP YOUR SALES RECEIPT

Take this time to attach your sales receipt to the manual and put in a safe place. In case of any unforeseen reason this product may need warranty service, your receipt will be necessary to establish purchase date.

RECOMMENDATION

A power amplifier’s performance is only as good as its installation. Proper installation will maximize the system’s overall performance. It is recommended that you have our product installed by an authorized DB Drive retailer. However, if you decide to install it yourself, please carefully read through this manual and take your time to do a quality installation.
Due to continuing product improvements and possible manual revisions, we recommend checking our website for latest product information at www.dbdrive.net.
IMPORTANT! Before making any connections, disconnect the car’s battery until the installation is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical system.
WARNING! Exposure to high power sound system can cause hearing loss or damage. Listening to your system at loud levels while driving will impair your ability to hear traffic sounds and emergency vehicles. Use common sense when listening to your system.
Serial #——- Model # ——-

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Fuse amplifiers power wire at the battery
Be sure to fuse the power wire within 12″ of the car’s battery. This will protect the car’s battery in case of a short circuit between the power amplifier and battery. THIS IS A MUST, the amplifier’s built-in fuse will only protect the power amplifier not the car’s battery!
Use high grade wire connectors
To ensure maximum power transfer and secure safe connections, it is recommended to use high grade barrier spades (for connection at amplifier) and terminal rings (for connec-tion at battery).
Do not run any wires underneath vehicle
Exposed wires have a chance of being cut or damaged. It is best to run all wires through the vehicle under the carpet and/or side panels. This lends to a cleaner installation and less risk of damage.
Use caution when mounting amplifier
Remember there are many electrical wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake lines as well as a gas tank in the automobile. Make sure you now where they are when mounting the amplifier to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling holes in the gas tank.
Run signal wires away from electrical wires
To avoid possibility of induced noise from the car’s electrical system (i.e. popping noises or engine noise), run wires away from the car’s electrical wiring.
Make all ground wires as short as possible and at the same point
In order to reduce the chance of ground loops (i.e. engine noise), make the grounding wire as short as possible to reduce the wire’s resistance. Also, when using multiple components, make sure all units are grounded at the same point.
Avoid sharp edges when running the wires
To avoid the possibility of power, signal or speaker shorts, be careful not to allow the amplifiers wires to come in contact with sharp edges. Use a grommet to protect the wire when running through the fire wall.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

DC Offset Protection
This circuit protects the output of the amplifier against DC voltage. If for some reason DC voltage is detected at the output stage, the amplifier will shut down protecting the speakers from direct current.
(APC) -Audio Protection Circuit
The circuit protects the amplifier from damage due to a short found in the speakers or wiring. If one of the speakers or its wiring comes in contact with ground, the amplifier will shut down. To resume normal operation, correct the problem and turn the head unit off, then back on. The amplifier will reset and play again.
(CHM) — Collective Heat Management
To protect the amplifier circuitry against damage caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, a thermal protection circuit is activated if the amplifier reaches excessively high operating temperature. Once the thermal circuit is activated, the amplifier will shut down to cool off. The amplifier will automatically turn back on once it cools down to a safe operating temperature.
(ACT) — Adaptive Crossover Technology
The WDX M Series amplifiers feature built-in variable crossovers for setting up your loudspeaker for optimal performance In any application. Bass Boost / Subsonic Filter (WDX M1.5)
For added low frequency enclosure ‘Liming the WDX M1.5 amplifier is equipped with a variable 10-12 dB bass boost @ 45Hz as well as a subsonic filter that helps protect small-er subwoofers against over excursion.
Power and Speaker Connections
Direct to wire connections are provided for maximum power and signal transfer with minimal resistance. For best results soldered and heat shrunk connections are recom-mended in all vehicle applications
Power Fusing (External Fuse Required)
This protects the amplifier against short circuits and excessive current.
WDX M1.5 – 6Oamp ”
WDX M4 – 50amp
Remote Turn-on
Automatically turns amplifier on when connected to the head units remote output. The amplifier will turn on and off with the head unit to save current consumption. This control also operates the reset circuit for the amplifier’s protection. It must be connected with the head unit in order to reset protection circuits.
Adjustable Input Sensitivity
Allows you to fine-tune the level matching between your source and the power amplifier.
Low impedance Stability
WDX M1.5 1 Ohm Mono
WDX M4 2 Ohm Stereo

MOUNTING LOCATION

Before you start the installation, it will be necessary to find a mounting location for the ampli-fier. Find a location in which the amplifier will receive adequate ventilation in order to dissipate the heat it develops during operation.
Select the location in which you wish to mount the amplifier. Use caution when mounting amplifier, Make sure double check when mounting the amplifier to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling holes in the fuel tank. Once you are ready, use a pencil to mark the mounting holes in the bottom panel. After you have marked the locations of the holes move amplifier out of the way and drill small starter holes to make the tapping screws easier to install. Use provided screws to tighten down the amplifier.

POWER CONNECTIONS IMPORTANT! Before making any connections, disconnect the car’s battery until the installation is completed to avoid possible damage to the electrical system.
Connect the amplifier to the vehicles battery
At times, the amplifier will need to draw large levels of current that cannot be provided by any circuit in the vehicles fuse box. We recommended using a 4 to 8 gauge power wire for your connections depending on the amplifier and length of the wire. Run the wire directly to the positive terminal of the vehicles battery. Make sure to use an in-line fuse within 1T of the battery to protect the electrical system and amplifier against short circuits and/or power surges.
Connect the ground terminal of the amplifier to the vehicles chassis
For the ground connection, use a 4 to 8 gauge wire (black) to connect to the terminal marked “ground” and then connect it to the vehicles chassis. Try to keep the length of the cable as short as possible, preferably less than 6″ Also make sure that the point on the car where the connection is to be made is free of paint and dirt. When installing in a marine application , use a know grounding point or a direct ground connection to the battery/
Connect the remote terminal of the amplifier to a switchable +12V source
This connection allows the amplifier to be turned on and off with the power control of the radio. If the radio has a REMOTE output terminal, connect it to the amplifier’s terminal marked “remote” (using a 16 gauge wire or heavier). Now when the radio is turned on, the amplifier will automatically turn on. This connection can also be made to the radio’s Power Antenna wire.

SIGNAL CONNECTIONS

Connect the RCA output of the head unit (AM/FM cassette player, CD, or DAT) to the RCA input terminals of the amplifier.
To make these connections, we recommend high quality RCA cables, which are available at your local car audio retailer. Run signal wires away from electrical wires to avoid possibil-ity of induced noise from the car’s electrical system (i.e. popping noises or engine noise).

SCAN FOR
RECOMMENDED
AMPLIFIER WIRING KITS
https://dblink.net/product-category/amplifier-kits/marine-motorsports/

IMPORTANT! The following speaker connection are for the amplifier in normal mono configuration.
Make the speaker connections using speaker wire that is at least 16 gauge or heavier.
As with any audio component, proper phasing of the amplifier and speakers is essential for strong bass response. When connecting, make sure that positive (+) from the amplifier is connected to the positive (+) of the speaker, and the same for negative (-).

TROUBLE SHOOTING THE SYSTEM

We have put together this trouble-shooting guide if you experience problems after installing the amplifier. Please keep in mind that the majority of problems incurred are caused by improper installation and not the equipment itself. In addition, there are mancomponents in the system that could cause various signal problems such as inducted electrical noise and engine noise.
Before you can properly address the problem, you must first find the component that is causing the problem. This will take patience and a process of elimination.

No Output
Blown fuse| Replace
Bad RCA Cable(s)| Replace
+12V at power terminal| Check connection
+12V at remote terminal| Check connection
Grounding point clean and tight| Check for ground w/meter
Head Unit’s fader not in center position| Set to center position
Low Output
Check level adjustments|
Re-adjust
Bad RCA cable(s)| Replace
Improper level matching| Re-adjust
Engine Noise
Grounding points are clean and tight| Check for ground w/meter
Ground all components at same point| Ground at same point
Try different grounding point| Change for better ground
Bad RCA cable(s)| Replace
Use High Quality shielded RCA cables| Rejects inducted noise
Low Vehicle charging system and/or battery| Fix and/or replace
Red Protection L. E. D. illuminated
Speaker short| Check speakers connection for short circuit
Speaker grounding out| Make sure speaker wires
Do not touch chassis ground
Impedance too low| Check speaker impedance
Overheating| Check mounting location for Adequate air circulation speaker impedance too low

SPECIFICATIONS

WDXM1.5
1500 Watt Monoblock class D Full Range

WDXM4
1500 Watt 4 Channel class D Full Range

LIMITED WARRANTY

DB DRIVE warrants any products purchased in the U.S.A. from an authorized DB DRIVE dealer. All products are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of (1) year when the unit installed by an authorized DB DRIVE dealer. Non-authorized dealer installed products carry a (1) year parts and labor limited warranty. This warranty applies to the origi­ nal purchase only.
DB DRIVE will either repair or replace (as its option) any unit that has been found to be defective and under warranty provided the defect occurs within:
One ( 1) year if purchased through an authorized DB DRIVE dealer.
This limited warranty does not extend to units that have been subjected to misuse, abuse, neglect, cosmetic damage or accident. Products that in DB DRIVE’s judgment shows evidence of having been altered, modified, or serviced without DB DRIVE’s authorization, will be ineligible under this warranty. To obtain warranty service please contact your retailer or see our website www.dbdrive.net for more details. All warranty claims must be handled directly through the authorized DB Research dealer they were originally purchased from

DB Research L.L.P.
302 Hanmore Industrial Parkway// Harlingen, TX 78550
ph: 877.787.0101 // fx: 956.421.4513 II www.dbdrive.net

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>