Kicker ZX300.1 manual Operation, TroubleShooting, ZX.1AMPLIFIER

Operation

	AUTO		INPUT	L	R	L	R	GAIN	BASS
	TURN ON		LEVEL						BOOST	XOVER
	+12V DC AUDIO		LO	INPUT		OUTPUT		0 11	OFF	OFF LO
	OFFSET
			HI	REMOTE BASS					ON
	SPKR +		SPKR -
	1. Automatic Turn-On Selection	The ZX series offers three different automatic turn-on modes that can
	be selected on the end panel; +12V, DC Offset, and Audio. Using either the DC Offset or Audio mode
	causes the REM terminal to have +12V out for turning on additional amplifiers.
	￿Remote Turn-OnSet the switch to +12V to use the remote turn-on lead from your source unit. Run
	18 Ga wire from the Remote Turn-On Lead on your source unit to the terminal labeled REM between the
OPERATION	amplifier’s positive and negative power terminals. This is the preferred automatic turn-on method.
	￿DC Offset Turn-OnIf Remote Turn-On is not an option, the next best setting is DC Offset. The DC

Offset mode detects a 6 volt surge from the HI Level speaker outputs when the source unit has been turned on.

￿Signal Sense Turn-OnThe Audio setting is the final alternative for Automatic turn-on. This is a Signal Sense turn-on method that detects the incoming audio signal from your source unit and automatically turns on the amp. This turn-on method will not work properly if the input gain control is not set appropriately.

2. Input Level The RCA inputs on Kicker ZX amplifiers are capable of receiving either Hi or Low-level signals from your source unit. If the only output available from your source unit is a Hi-Level signal, simply press in the Input Level switch on the amplifier. Refer to the wiring section of this manual for addtional instructions.

3. Crossover Switch Use the XOVER switch on the end panel of the amplifier to set the internal crossover to OFF or LO. When the switch is set to OFF, a full bandwidth signal will be amplified. Set the switch to LO if you want the amplifier’s internal crossover to serve as a low-pass filter. Never change the crossover “OFF/LO” switch setting with the audio system on!

4. 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 amplifier. Turn the source unit up to about 3/4 volume (if the source unit goes to 30, turn it to 25). Next, slowly turn (clockwise) the gain on the amplifier up until you can hear audible distortion, then turn it down a little.

5. Bass Boost Turn the bass boost on to increase bass by 12db at 40 Hz. If you choose to enable the bass boost it may be necessary to reduce the input gain control on the amplifier to avoid clipping.

￿RED Badge Light 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.

￿RED Badge Light on, no output? Check the following: 1) RCA connections 2) Test speaker outputs with a “known” good speaker. 3) Substitute source unit with a “known” good source unit. 4) Check for a signal in the RCA cable feeding the amplifier with the VOM meter set to measure “AC” voltage.

￿End Panel LED flashing with loud music? The yellow LED indicates 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.

￿End Panel LED on, no output? 1) Amplifier is very hot. ￿Thermal protection is engaged. Test for proper impedance at the speaker terminals with a VOM meter (see the diagrams in this manual for minimum recommended impedance and multiple speaker wiring suggestions). Also check for adequate airflow around the amplifier. 2) Amplifier shuts down only while vehicle is running. ￿Voltage protection circuitry is engaged. Voltage to the amplifier is not within the 9-16 volt operating range. Have the vehicle's charging and electrical system inspected. 3) Amplifier will only play at low volume levels. ￿Short circuit protection is engaged. Check for speaker wires shorted to each other or to the vehicle chassis. Check for damaged speakers, or speaker(s) operating below the minimum recommended impedance.

￿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 3) Check the source unit for proper
grounding	4) Check the gain settings and turn them down if they are set too high.
￿Ground Noise? ￿Kicker amplifiers 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.
Please Note: Modern high performance speakers have a lower DC Resistance than what used to be
available. The Kicker Coaxial and Component speakers are rated at four ohms (some DC Resistances
may be as low as 3 ohms) and work with any amplifier designed to operate at a four ohm load. If you
want to use two Kicker Coaxial or Component speakers on a single channel of your amplifier wire the
speakers in series. This will improve the sound quality, lower the total harmonic distortion and lessen
the thermal load at the amplifier. This may prevent an amplifier from shutting down, due to over-current
protection circuitry.
CAUTION: When jump starting the vehicle, be sure that connections made with jumper cables are
correct. Improper connections can result in blown amplifier fuses as well as the failure of other critical
systems in the vehicle.

6.RemoteBass(Level Control) When the crossover on your ZX.1 series amplifier is set to LO pass, you have the ability to control the output level of the amplifier remotely. 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 the amplifier chassis.

Mount the metal bracket

Side View

Slide the housing until it snaps into the metal bracket

AUTO	INPUT	L	R	L	R
TURN ON	LEVEL				XOVER
+12V DC AUDIO LO			INPUT		OFF	LO
OFFSET	HI			OUTPUT
SPKR +	SPKR -		REMOTE BASS

Back View

4Conductor Phone Cable

If you have more questions about the installation or operation of your new KICKER product, see the PERFORMANCE

Authorized KICKER Dealer where you made your purchase. For more advice on installation, click on the SUPPORT tab on the Kicker homepage, www.kicker.com. Choose the TECHNICAL SUPPORT tab, choose the subject you are interested in, and then download or view the corresponding information. Please E-mail support@kicker.com or call Technical Services (405) 624-8583 for unanswered or specific questions.

Model ZX300.1

TroubleShooting

If your amplifier does not appear to be working, check the obvious things first such as blown fuses, poor or incorrect wiring connections, incorrect setting of crossover switch and gain controls, etc. There is an illuminated red badge on top of the amplifier denoting the power state of the amp in addition to the Protection LED on the end panel of your Kicker ZX series amplifier. When the red badge is lit this indicates the amplifier is turned on and the amplifier is functioning properly.

150 x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4Vdc, 1% THD ,CEA-2006 (Watts) Signal to Noise Ratio -96

CEA-2006 (ref: 1W, A-weighted)

4 ZX.1AMPLIFIER 5