Troubleshooting Guide

What might appear to be a malfunction in your unit may just be the result of slight misoperation or miswiring. Before calling service, first check the following table for possible problems.

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE

SOLUTION

No sound.

• Input (or output) cables are

• Connect the input (or output)

(No sound from one side.)

disconnected.

cables.

 

• Protection circuit may be

• Check connections by referring

 

activated.

to "Power indicator".

(Blown fuse.)

• Volume is too high.

• Replace the fuse and use lower

 

 

volume.

 

• The speaker cord is shorted.

• After check the speaker cord and

 

 

fixing the cause of the short,

 

 

replace the fuse.

 

 

 

The output level is too

The input sensitivity adjusting

Adjust the control correctly

small (or too large).

control is not set to the correct

referring to "Controls".

 

position.

 

 

 

 

The sound quality is bad.

• The speakers wire are

• Connect them properly checking

(The sound is distorted.)

connected with wrong + / -

the + / - of the terminals and

 

polarity.

wires well.

 

• A speaker wire is pinched by a

• Connect the speaker wire again

 

screw in the car body.

so that it is not pinched by

 

 

anything.

 

• The switches may be set

• Set switches properly by

 

improperly.

referring to "System examples".

 

 

 

KAC-959

5-CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Specifications

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Audio Section

Max Power Output

 

 

5 Channel Mode

80 W × 4 (4 ½) + 240 W × 1 (4 ½)

4 Channel Mode

80 W × 2 (4 ½) + 240 W × 1 (4 ½) + 240 W × 1 (4 ½)

3 Channel Mode

240 W × 2 (4 ½) + 320 W × 1 (2 ½)

Rated Power Output (4 ½)

 

 

5 Channel Mode

40 W × 4 + 120 W × 1

..................... (20 Hz ~ 20 kHz, less than 0.08 % THD) + (20 Hz ~ 200 Hz, less than 0.08 % THD)

5 Channel Mode

40 W × 4 + 120 W × 1 (DIN45324, +B=14.4 V)

4 Channel Mode

40 W × 2 + 120 W × 1 + 120 W × 1

...............................(20 Hz ~ 20 kHz, 0.08 % THD) + (1 kHz, 0.8 % THD) + (100 Hz, 0.08 % THD)

3 Channel Mode

120 W × 2 (1 kHz, 0.8 % THD) + 120 W × 1 (100 Hz, 0.08 % THD)

Rated Power Output (2 ½)

 

 

5 Channel Mode

60 W × 4 (1 kHz, 0.8 % THD) + 150 W × 1 (100 Hz, 0.8 % THD)

Frequency Response (+0, –3 dB)

5 Hz ~ 50 kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio

100 dB

Sensitivity (MAX)

0.2 V (rated output)

Sensitivity (MIN)

5.0 V (rated output)

Input Impedance

10 k½

High Pass Filter Frequency (12 dB/oct.) (A,B channel)

80 Hz, 150 Hz

Low Pass Filter Frequency (18 dB/oct.) (SUB channel)

50 ~ 200 Hz (Variable)

Infrasonic Filter Frequency (18 dB/oct.) (SUB channel)

15 Hz

General

 

 

Operating Voltage (11 ~ 16 V allowable)

14.4 V

Current Consumption (1 kHz, 10 % THD)

48 A

Dimensions (W × H × D)

290 × 56 × 320 mm (11-7/16 × 2-3/16 × 12-5/8 in.)

Weight

5.2 kg (11.4 lbs)

Take the time to read through this instruction manual. Familiarity with installation and operation procedures will help you obtain the best performance from your new power amplifier.

For your records

Record the serial number, found on the back of the unit, in the spaces designated on the warranty card, and in the space provided below. Refer to the model and serial numbers whenever you call upon your KENWOOD dealer for information or service on the product.

Model KAC-959 Serial number

© PRINTED IN USA B64-1980-00 (KM/EM)

Safety precautions

2WARNING

To prevent injury or fire, take the following precautions:

When extending the ignition, battery, or ground wires, make sure to use automotive-grade wires or other wires with a 5mm2 (AWG10) or more to prevent wire deterioration and damage to the wire coating.

To prevent a short circuit, never put or leave any metallic objects (such as coins or metal tools) inside the unit.

If the unit starts to emit smoke or strange smells, turn off the power immediately and consult your Kenwood dealer.

Do not touch the unit during use because the surface of the unit becomes hot and may cause burns if touched.

2CAUTION

To prevent damage to the machine, take the following precautions:

Be sure the unit is connected to a 12V DC power supply with a negative ground connection.

Do not open the top or bottom covers of the unit.

Do not install the unit in a spot exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat or humidity. Also avoid places with too much dust or the possibility of water splashing.

When replacing a fuse, only use a new one with the prescribed rating. Using a fuse with the wrong rating may cause your unit to malfunction.

To prevent a short circuit when replacing a fuse, first disconnect the wiring harness.

NOTE

If you experience problems during installation, consult your Kenwood dealer.

If the unit does not seem to be working right, consult your Kenwood dealer.

FCC WARNING

This equipment may generate or use radio frequency energy. Changes or modifications to this equipment may cause harmful interference unless the modifications are expressly approved in the instruction manual. The user could lose the authority to operate this equipment if an unauthorized change or modification is made.

Cleaning the unit

If the front panel gets dirty, turn off the power and wipe the panel with a dry silicon cloth or soft cloth.

2CAUTION

Do not wipe the panel with a hard cloth or a cloth dampened by volatile solvents such as paint thinner and alcohol. They can scratch the surface of the panel and/or cause the indicator letters to peel off.

Wiring

If a buzzing noise is heard from the speakers when the engine is running, connect a line noise filter (optional) to each of the battery wire.

Do not allow the wire to directly contact the edge of the iron plate by using Grommets.

Connect the ground wire to a metal part of the car chassis that acts as an electrical ground passing electricity to the battery‘s negative - terminal. Do not turn the power on if the ground wire is not connected.

Be sure to attach a protective fuse into the battery wire close to the battery. Use a protective fuse having a capacity that is about 10 A higher than the maximum current drawn by the amplifier.

Use vehicle-type (fire-resistant) power supply wiring wire for the battery wire and the ground wire. The current capacity of the power supply wiring wire should be about 10 A higher than that of the protective fuse capacity (which means about 20 A higher than the maximum current drawn by the amplifier).

When more than one power amplifier are going to be used, use a power supply wiring wire and protective fuse of greater current-handling capacity than the total maximum current drawn by each amplifier.

Example: One Power Amplifier Is Used

Maximum Current Drawn

48 A

Protective Fuse

60 A × 1 [30 A × 2]

Cross-sectional Area of

5 mm2 (AWG 10) or

Wiring Wire (AWG)

greater × 1

30 A

30 A 30 A

 

30A

Speaker Selection

The rated input power of the speakers that are going to be connected should be greater than the maximum output power (in Watts) of the amplifier. Use of speakers having input power ratings that are less than the output power of the amplifier will cause smoke to be emitted as well as damage.

The impedance of the speakers that are going to be connected should be 2½ or greater (for stereo connections), or 4½ or greater (for bridged connections). When more than one set of speakers are going to be used, calculate the combined impedance of the speakers and then connect suitable speakers to the amplifier.

 

4½

 

4½ 4½

 

4½

8 ½

2 ½

Installation procedure

1.Remove the ignition key and disconnect the negative - terminal of the battery to prevent short circuits.

2.Set the unit according to the intended usage.

3.Connect the input and output cables of the units.

4.Connect the speaker wires.

5.Connect the power wire, power control wire and grounding wire following this order.

6.Install the unit in the car.

7.Connect the negative - terminal of the battery.

2WARNING

To prevent fire caused by a short in the wiring, connect a fusible link or breaker nearby the battery’s positive terminal.

2CAUTION

Be sure to turn the power off before changing the setting of any switch.

If the fuse blows, check wires for shorts, then replace the fuse with one of the same rating.

Check that no unconnected cables or connectors are touching the car body. Do not remove caps from unconnected cables or connectors to prevent short circuits.

Connect the speaker wires to appropriate speaker connectors separately. Sharing the negative wire of the speaker or grounding speaker wires to the metal body of the car can cause this unit to fail.

After installation, check that the brake lamps, winkers, and wipers work properly.

Speaker level input terminals (7)

When the genuine-accessory car stereo power is turned ON/OFF, check that the power to this unit has followed suit.

In some cases, the power control is not correctly operated by the genuine-accessory car stereo. If this is the case, connect the ACC or power control signal to the P.CON terminal.

2CAUTION

The genuine-accessory car stereo shall have a maximum power output of no more than 40 W.

Do not connect the speaker output leads from a power amplifier (Optional) to the speaker level input terminals of this unit, for this may cause malfunction or damage.

Do not connect cables and leads to both RCA cable input jacks and the speaker level input terminals simultaneously, for this may cause malfunction or damage.

Connect the power control lead to a power supply which can be turned ON/OFF by the ignition key switch (ACC line). With this connection, shock noise may be generated when the power of the genuine-accessory car stereo is switched ON/OFF.

Power terminal (234)

Connect to their respective terminals the power supply wire, and ground wire, all of which pass through the associated terminal cover. Once the connections are complete, place the cover on the terminal section.

Accessories

Part name

External

Number of

View

Items

 

Terminal cover

 

1

(Power terminal)

 

 

 

Self-tapping screws

 

4

(ø4 × 16 mm)

 

 

 

Installation

Since the power amplifier has no parts which require operation, it can be installed at a position away from the driver’s seat without any hindrances.

As generally accepted positions for its installation, places such as inside the trunk, etc. can be considered.

2CAUTION

Do not install the unit under the carpet. Otherwise heat build-up occurs and the unit may be damaged.

Install this unit in a location which allows heat to easily dissipate. Once installed, do not place any object on top of the unit.

The surface temperature of the amplifier will become hot during use. Install the amplifier in a place where people, resins, and other substances that are sensitive to heat will not come into contact with it.

When making a hole under a seat, inside the trunk, or somewhere else in the vehicle, check that there is nothing hazardous on the opposite side such as a gasoline tank, brake pipe, or wiring harness, and be careful not to cause scratches or other damage.

Do not install near the dashboard, rear tray, or air bag safety parts.

The installation to the vehicle should securely fasten the unit to a place in which it will not obstruct driving. If the unit comes off due to a shock and hits a person or safety part, it may cause injury or an accident.

After installing the unit, check to make sure that electrical equipment such as the brake lamps, turn signal lamps and windshield wipers operate normally.

Self-tapping screw (ø4 × 16 mm)

Installation board, etc. (thickness : 15 mm or more)

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Kenwood KAC-959 instruction manual Troubleshooting Guide, Specifications, Safety precautions, Installation procedure

KAC-959 specifications

The Kenwood KAC-959 is a powerful, high-performance car amplifier designed for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With its sleek design and robust power output, the KAC-959 delivers an exceptional audio experience for both music enthusiasts and anyone looking to enhance their car's sound system.

One of the standout features of the Kenwood KAC-959 is its power output. The amplifier boasts a maximum power rating of 1,000 watts, allowing it to drive even the most demanding speakers with ease. It is designed with a stable architecture that can work seamlessly with 2-ohm or 4-ohm speaker configurations, making it versatile enough for various setups. This ensures that users can achieve a premium sound experience regardless of their speaker choice.

The KAC-959 incorporates advanced technologies to enhance audio fidelity and performance. The amplifier features a MOSFET power supply, which contributes to improved efficiency and reliability. MOSFET technology allows for quicker switching and better handling of power fluctuations, ensuring stable performance even under heavy loads. This feature is essential for those who enjoy playing music at high volumes without compromising on sound quality.

Another notable characteristic of the KAC-959 is its built-in low-pass filter, which allows users to fine-tune their audio output. This filter is adjustable, enabling users to choose the optimal frequency for their subwoofers. Additionally, the amplifier includes high-pass filters that help limit the range of frequencies sent to component speakers, ensuring clarity and precision in sound reproduction.

The user-friendly setup is also a highlight of the Kenwood KAC-959. It features RCA inputs for easy connection to a head unit, as well as a compact and lightweight design that makes installation straightforward even for those who may not be professional installers. The amp's variable bass boost control provides added flexibility, giving users the ability to enhance lower frequencies to their liking.

Durability and build quality are integral components of the KAC-959. The amplifier is housed in a sturdy metal chassis, providing protection against the rigors of automotive environments. The included ventilation system ensures that the unit stays cool during extended use, further enhancing its longevity.

In summary, the Kenwood KAC-959 is a feature-rich car amplifier providing exceptional power, advanced technologies, and user-friendly features. Whether someone is upgrading their audio system or starting fresh, the KAC-959 proves to be a worthy addition to any vehicle, promising an enriching listening experience.