ARX PowerDrive User manual

PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX® PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX®8
PowerDrive™
Three Channel
Integrated
Power Amplifier
OWNER’S
MANUAL
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED WARRANTY
ARXSystems(ARX)warrantstothefirstpurchaserofanyARXequipmentthatitisfree
fromdefectsinmaterialsandworkmanshipundernormaluseandservice.ARX’ssole
obligation under this warranty shall be to provide, without charge, parts and labour
necessarytoremedydefects,ifany,whichappearwithintwelve(12)monthsfromdateof
purchase,andforafurthertwelve(12)monthssupplypartsonly.
Thisisouronlywarranty.Itdoesnotcoverfinishorappearanceitems,burnedvoice
coils,oriftheequipmenthasbeen,inARX’ssolejudgement:
•Subjectedtomisuse,abuse,negligenceoraccident;
•Repaired,workedon,oralteredbypersonsnotauthorizedbyARX;
•Connected, installed, adjusted or used for a purpose other than that for which it was
designed.ThisincludesrunningaspeakersystemwiththeISCleadsdisconnected,or
withanon-ARXcrossover,orwiththewrongprocessor.
Thiswarrantygivesyouandusspecificlegalrightsandyoumayalsohaveotherrights
whichmayapply.
Warranty Service Procedure
Should it become necessary to have your equipment serviced under the
terms of the warranty, please follow these steps:
1. Call your ARX distributor for a Return Authorization (RA) number;
2. Carefully repack the unit, in its original packaging where possible,
including a note with a description of the problem, and a copy of
the receipt showing date of purchase. Attach these to the actual
unit itself. Don’t forget to write your name and address clearly, and
include a phone number where you can be contacted during
normal business hours. Make it easy for our service technicians to
contact you if they have a question. Also, use plenty of packing
material - better to be safe than sorry.
3. Send the unit freight prepaid to ARX Systems, at the address given
you with your RA number. We will pay the return freight when the
serviced unit is returned to you.
4. We strongly recommend you insure the package. We can’t fix it if it
gets lost! Send it by UPS, Fedex, or any similar service that can track
the package. Parcel Post is not recommended
If Warranty Registration Card is missing, please write to ARX in the country of
purchase, stating model and where purchased, or to ARX, PO Box 15, Moorabbin,
Victoria3189,Australia.
Or you can Email us at: [email protected]
ARXARX
ARXARX
ARX Systems Pty Ltd, PO Box 15,
Moorabbin, Victoria 3189, Australia
PhonePhone
PhonePhone
Phone: [phone] FaxFax
FaxFax
Fax: [phone]
International FaxInternational Fax
International FaxInternational Fax
International Fax: [phone]
On the WebOn the Web
On the WebOn the Web
On the Web: www.arx.com.au
EmailEmail
EmailEmail
Email: [email protected]

PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX® PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX®
27
Specifications
Input Impedance 40 Kohms electronically balanced
CMRR >50 dB, @ 1 KHz
Channel Separation -88 dB, unweighted
Dynamic Range 110 dB
Distortion (THD) .01% @ +4 dB, 1 KHz
Crossover Frequency 100Hz (to SUB channel)
HighPass Filters 35 Hz SUB output
45 Hz A/B outputs
Input Connectors XLR (Pin 1 Ground, Pin 2 +, Pin 3 –)
Output Connectors 3 x Neutrik Speakon, using 1– and 1+
on each connector (Left, Right, and Sub)
Line Outputs TRS Jacks (Tip +, Ring –, Sleeve Ground)
Power Requirements 100, 120, 220, 240V AC, 50-60 Hz,
supplied Zone Specific
Output Power
Channels A and B 340Watts/8 ohms, 500Watts/4 ohms
Sub Channel 730Watts/4 ohms, 1050Watts/2 ohms
Maximum Units Driven 2 x PowerMAX 1, 2, 3 or 4 per side
from Channels A and B;
2 x PowerMAX SUB from Sub Channel
Weight 20 Kg (44 lbs)
Front Panel Controls Level controls for Channels A, B and Sub.
Construction All steel monococque construction
This symbol indicates that a Slow Blow fuse is used in this equip-
ment. Replace with same type and value only
This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of uninsulated
dangerous voltage within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock.
This symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of important
operating instructions contained in this owner's manual
WARNING SYMBOLS USED ON THIS EQUIPMENT
IMPORTANT - This amplifier is designed
to be connected ONLY to the AC voltage
ticked below
100 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
120 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
220 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
240 V AC, 50 - 60 Hz
!
It is essential that you check that
this voltage is correct for your
area before connecting it to AC
power. Do not plug power cable
into AC power until voltage has
been checked. If incorrect, contact
your ARX distributor.
Your warranty does not cover
connecting the amplifier to the
wrong voltage AC power!
FUSE
This amplifier has a fixed power lead with an external fuse
mounted on the chassis. Replace fuse only with another of the
correct value as marked on the rear of the amplifier
Complies with 89/336/EEC EMC Directive,
amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC and
meets the following standards:EN 55013 :
1990, Sections 3.2 and 3.5 EN 55020 : 1988,
Sections 4.3, 5.4, 6.2, 7.0, 8.0.
Complies with Australian Standard AS/N25
1053

PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX® PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX®45
The PowerDrive amplifier has sufficient fan cooling capacity built in, and needs no
extra external fan cooling to operate normally. Its compact ‘UltraFin’ heatsinks
provide massive surface areas for rapid cooling and stable temperatures.
BUT...
When racking up PowerDrive amplifiers, a you MUST allow space for the air to exit
from the sides of the amplifier. Remember that Power = Heat, and Maximum air
flow = successful heat management.
The easy way to handle it is to follow the Air Flow diagram above, and have open
sides to the rack, optionally covered with wide steel mesh. Don’t let anything block
these open sides - the air must have a way out.
To give you some idea of the heat involved, in the case of the PowerDrive we’re
talking about the same power output in watts as a medium size electric bar radiator!
Things to check before you plug the amplifier in
Main AC power - check that the voltage on your PowerDrive or MicroDrive is
the same as the voltage at the power point. It is a good idea to check this before
plugging the amplifier into the power point. Be especially careful of plugging
into unchecked ‘piggyback’ plugs, power distribution boxes or extension cables.
Your warranty does not cover damage caused by incorrect wiring.
Make sure the PowerDrive is connected to the same AC power supply and
Earth/Ground as the rest of the system, otherwise you may set up an Ground
loop hum.
The PowerDrive weighs approximately 20 kilos/44 lbs. We strongly recommend
that you use the rear mounting slots as well as those on the front panel.
There are 4 cooling fans that circulate air around and through the heatsinks.
It is extremely important that you ensure that there is unrestricted air access to
these fans, and also unrestricted air exit path. Clean the fan filters regularly or at
the first sign of becoming clogged.
COLD AIR ENTERS
FROM REAR
WARM AIR EXITS
AT SIDES WARM AIR EXITS
AT SIDES
COLD AIR ENTERS
FROM FRONT
Air flow diagram
• Variable speed DC cooling fans (4 per amp)
• BalancedXLRInputs (Pin 1Ground,Pin2+,
Pin 3 –)
•SubEnableswitch
•Enhanceswitch
• Neutrik Speakon speaker connectors
(using Terminals 1+ and 1–)
• A, B and Sub Line Outputs
•ACPowerLeadandfuse
• Rear rack ears for four point racking
Line Outputs
These are TRS Jack connectors to enable sending the processed line outputs of
channels A, B, and Sub to the inputs of other amplifers, without having to use
extra PowerPro speaker processors. Wiring is Tip +, Ring –, Sleeve ground.
Enhance Switch
Pushing this switch in activates a circuit that dynamically increases the LF and
HF portions of the signal, at around 50 Hz and 10 KHz respectively. Think of it
as a smart Loudness control.
Sub Active switch
Pushing this switch in rolls off the Low frequencies below 100 Hz in Channels A
and B, and sends them to the Sub amplifier section of the PowerDrive. Use it if
you are using a SUB speaker. If not, don’t push it in and Channels A and B will
run full range.
Front Panel
Rear Panel
•EasyGripHandles
•DetentedLevelcontrolsforChannelsA,B,
and Sub
•ProtectionandSignalpresentLEDs
•4mmsteelfront panel
•Non-scratchLexanprintedpanel
•Illuminatedpowerswitch
•Fanfilters

PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX® PowerDrive Owner's Manual v 4.2 World ©2003 ARX®63
Based on multiple channels of the rugged ARX ‘SX’ Series amplifiers, the
PowerDrive is truly the system of the future!
They have everything you need to run either a complete PowerMAX
system, in one compact 2 RU package. Channel A and B, plus a powerful
Sub channel. Simply connect your mixer outputs and your speaker leads
and that's it - there’s nothing else to wire up!
The PowerDrive integrated system amplifier is a three channel unit with a
PowerPRO speaker processor already built in, making it the ideal rental
company/installation PowerMAX package. It also has an ‘Enhance’ function
to provide the dynamic impact of a much larger system.
Rear Panel options includeNeutrik ‘Speakon’ insulated speaker connectors
for fast ‘plug and play’ setups.
There are also pre-processed line outputs for Channels A, B and Sub, so
existing amplifier inventory is not made redundant when larger systems
need to be assembled.
The PowerDrive will run two PowerMAX cabinets per side plus two Power-
MAX Subs. The same powerful sound, the same failsafe speaker protection
as a disctete amplifier/processor combination, neatly housed in an ultra
compact 2 RU package!
The PowerDrive is a further example of the ARX commitment to produce
amplifiers that will survive the toughest musical environment, day after
day, night after night, because we know that audio professionals like
yourself depend on them to earn a living.
WARNING!
THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE AMPLIFIER,
SO PLEASE DON’T TAKE THE LID OFF AND POKE AROUND!
Amplifiers run on DC voltages provided by the amplifier’s internal
power supply. The PowerDrive has separate + and – DC fuses for
both channels, mounted internally on the power supply circuit board.
The power Mosfets used in the amplifiers are extremely rugged
devices, and the correct rating fuses in the power supply ensure that
the amplifier circuitry is protected from short circuit damage.
A blown DC fuse will be indicated by a very distorted low volume
output from that side of the amplifier. A blown AC fuse will be
indicated by nothing working at all - check to see if the fans are
turning.
Any blown fuse should be investigated. It doesn’t necessarily mean
that something is wrong with the amplifier, but indicates that there is
something wrong in the complete signal path, from the mixing
console to the speakers.
If an AC fuse blows:
• Switch the power off, replace the fuse with another of the same
rating.
• Switch the power back on.
• If it blows again, switch the power off and disconnect the Input and
Speaker leads from the amplifier. Replace the fuse with another of
the same rating.
• If it doesn’t blow when you switch it back on, then the fault is
somewhere else. Time to start checking those leads.
• If the fuse does blow again, then contact your nearest ARX service
centre or the dealer where you bought the amplifier.
If a DC fuse blows:
• Get a qualified service person to inspect inside the amplifier. Please
don’t do it yourself! There are very dangerous voltages inside amplifi-
ers, even when they have been turned off!
Introduction
Thank you for choosing this ARX PowerDrive amplifier. We hope you enjoy
using it as much as we enjoyed creating it. It is a precision engineered
product designed for professional use in all pro-audio applications, and as
such, a working knowledge of basic electronic safety procedures is assumed
on the part of the operator.
Like all ARX equipment, it has undergone extensive factory calibration,
testing and ‘burn in’ before shipping. To ensure continued trouble free use,
please familiarise yourself with the contents of this manual before using.
About the PowerDrive amplifier