Boss Audio Systems Ripper RIP-496 User manual

CONTENTS
Congratulations! 2
Specifications 2
\
Features 3
pbwt -on Cimq 4
ANUAL
Amplifiers and 2 Ohm Operation 4
ElectricalWiring
5
Power Fuses
5
Mountingthe Amplifier
5
-
High InputWiring 1 Remote Subwoofer Level Control
6
Using Low Level (RCA) Inputs
7
-
/
Using Line Outputs
8
Tvo Channel Speaker Wiring
8
Bridged Speaker Wiring With Two Channel Amplifier
9
Tri-Mode Speaker Wiring With Two Channel Amplifier
10
Four ChannelAmplifier Speaker Wiring
Bridged Speaker Wiring With Four Channel Amplifier
Dual Tri-Mode Speaker Wiring With Four ChannelAmplifier
1 2

Congratulations on your purchase ofa BOSS@Audio Systems RIPPER car audio
amplifier.
RIPPER amplifiers are designed inthe USA tothe highest level ofquality,
and will afford you years of listening enjoyment.
2
All RIPPER amplifiers utilize fully-regulated MOSFET power supplies, which assure
that switching response is extremely fast and output power is clean.
Thank you for making BOSS@Audio Systems your choice for car audio equipment!
MODEL RIP496 RIP596 RIP696 RIP796 RIP896
RMS-7
TGVV~X~~ x-- XT-I IIOU-X-~ZYN n
MAX Watts/Ol at 2 Ohms 350Wx 2 500W x 2 700W x 2 400W x 4 500W x 4
BridgedPwa ai4-hrns
7oow-X-1-1 OOOTX n 400~3~'7800~~-2--i OOOWT
S/N Ratio IO~~B...............................
~~~~~~~~-45~~-=g~~zZ.7~-m-.-m~~ . ..- ...'.'. ...... ; m.....
...........................
High Pass C~SOV~~ 80Hz-500Hz
BarsBoost ..
.. ... .... ..:........ o-+lTd~ ;-. ; -.
. ........................
Frequency Rs~w 5Hz 50KHz(+/-3dB) - - --
-- --
........ .....................
THD (4 Ohm) 0.013 .-- ::
...............................
brandsepElmh godB
-
Damping Factor ' . -- 150 150 1 '80
Phase Shift o -1 80'
...
-
Fuse
-..
ITA L5A A - L3A ---zmZr

7buo Channel Amplifiers:
RIP496, RIP596, and RIP696
Heavy Duty Aluminum Alloy Heatsink
Class A-B Operation
Variable Low and High Pass Crossovers
Variable Bass Boost Control (0 - +18dB)
Gold-PlatedRCA Low Level and High Level Inputs
Line OutputJacks
Variable Phase Shift Control (0 - 180')
RemoteTurn On/Turn Off Circuit
MOSFET Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Power Supply
2 Ohm Stable Stereo Operation with Output Power Increase
Soft Turn-On Circuit
Thermal and Speaker Short ProtectionCircuitry
LED Power and Protection lndicators
RemoteSubwoofer Level Control
Four Channel Amplifiers:
RIP796 and RIP896
-
Heavy Duty Aluminum Alloy Heatsink
Class A-B Operation
Variable Low and High Pass Crossovers
Variable Bass Boost Control (0 - +18dB)
Cold Plated RCA Low Level and High Level Inputs
Line OutputJacks
Variable Phase Shift Control (0 - 180')
RemoteTurn On/Turn Off Circuit
MOSFnPulseWidth Modulated (PWM) Power Supply
2 Ohm Stable Stereo Operation with Output Power Increase
Soft Turn-On Circuit
Thermal and Speaker Short ProtectionCircuitry
= LED Power and Protection lndicators
= Remote Subwoofer Level Control

Built - inCrossover Protection Circuitry
All RIPPER amplifiers feature built-in electronic The amplifier protection circuitry will disable the
crossovers. amplifier
if inputoverload, short circuit or extremely
high temperature conditions are detected. When
The 2 Channel(RlP496/596/696) amplifiers feature the protection mode is inoperation, the LED indicator
an adjustablelow pass and high pass crossover and will be illuminated, indicating the amplifier has gone
+18dBvariable Bass Boost. into a self-preservation mode.
The 4 Channel (RlP796/896) amplifiers feature a Ifyou observethat the Protection LED is illuminated,
pair ofindividually adjustable low pass crossovers pleasecheckthe system carefully todeterminewhat
and high passcrossovers, as well as +18dB variable has caused the protectioncircuit toengage. The
Bass Boost. amplifier can be reset by turning the remote power
off and then on again.
If the amplifier has shut down
All RIPPER amplifiers have been designedwith 100% due to a thermal overload condition, please allow it
MOSFET power supplies, ensuring extremely quick to cool down before restarting. If the amplifier shut
switching responsefor cleaner power. down because of an input overload or short circuit,
be suretocorrect these conditions beforeattem~tina
Your RIPPER amplifier was designed to operate efficiently into 2 Ohm loads inthe stereo mode. This means
that you can install four 8-rs per'channd when using parallel wiring. Increasing the number
of woofer e at low frequencies (up to 100
Hz) produces an acoustic coupling effect. This
&c ceesyour power output by 3 dB per speaker.
When operating at 2 ohms, the amplifiers will increase their output power by approximately 50%. The current draw
r
will also increase byabout the same amount, so be sure you have enough current to run the amplifiers into a 2 ohm
load. If you lack adequate current, your music-repduction will
be distorted.
/
Ple~~ote:The gain control of any car audio amplifier should not be mistaken for volume control. It is
a sophisticated device, designed to match the output level of your audio source unit to the input level of
the amplifier. Do not adjust
this input level to maximum unless your input level requires it. Ignoring these
instructions will result in an input overload to the amplifier, and excessive audio distortion. It can also
cause the protection circuit to engage.

ElectricalWiring
All BOSS power amplifiers are equipped with "easy-access"screw terminals. These terminals are nickel-
plated to ensure excellent electrical contact and resist corrosion.
When making electrical connections tothe amplifier, please observe the following:
Use at least
8 gauge or heavierwire for power and ground connections.
Connect the amplifier directly tothe car battery.
For the ground connection, use the shortest possible wire to a good chassis ground point.
Wire the Remoteconnectiontothe remote turn-on lead ofyour equalizer or source unit (this is sometimes
also used as the power antenna lead).
Fuses
I
Power fuses protect both the amplifier and the electrical system ofyour vehicle from fault conditi~ns;'lf
you must replace the fuse in your RIPPER amplifier, use a fuse of exactly the same type and ratingr'k
. .
,.
different type or rating of fuse may result indamage or fire.
-.
Mountingthe Amplifier
Mark the location for the mounting screw holes by positioning the amplifier where you wish to install it,
and use a scribe (or one of the mounting screws) inserted in each mounting hole to mark the mounting
surface. If mounting surface is carpeted, measurethe hole centers and mark with a felt tip pen.
Drill pilot holes inthe mounting surface for the mounting screws and insert the mounting screws into
these holes. Tighten them securely.
Note: Be sure to take note of any wires, lines or other devices in your vehicle which may be located behind
any mounting surface!

High Level Inputs I RemoteSubwoofer LevelControl
If the HIGH LEVEL INPUTS are used, do not use the LOW LEVEL RCA INPUTS at the same time.
The RIPPER 2-Channel amplifiers use ONE HIGH LEVEL INPUT for both channels and the RIPPER
4-Channel amplifiers use TWO ofthese connectors one for each pair of channels.
PLEASE NOTE:
WORKS WlTH
2 CHANNELAMP
LOW PASS MODE ONLY.
I
J LEFT CHANNEL +
6 HEADUNIT
LEFT CHANNEL -
SPEAKER CHASSIS GROUND
TERMINALS -
I
RIGHT CHANNEL -
I
RIGHT CHANNEL +
4
4 CHANNEL +
TERMINALS
PLEASE NOTE:
WORKS WlTH
LOW PASS MODE
Level Control

Low Level Input /Line Out
The RCA jacks marked "INPUTS" should be connected the low-level output of your source unit.
The
RCA jacks marked "LINE OUT" will pass the signal that is present on the amplifier inputs,
facilitatingthe connection of additional amplifiers along.
TWO Channel Amplifiers:
RIP496, RIP596, and RIP696
I
.
toINPUTSOF L L tOOUTPUTs
ADDITIONAL
~11) R OF HEADUNIT
AMPLIFIER(S) R 4/11
Four ChannelAmplifiers:
RIP796 and RIP896
tolNPUTSOF CHI m-l'
ADDITIONAL
AMPLIFIER(S) CH2 4 toOUTPUTS
lb CH2 OFHEADUNIT

Two Channel Speaker Wiring
Tbuo Channel Amplifiers:
RIP496, RIP596, and RIP696
RIGHT
SPEAKER
GROUND
toREMOTETurn-on "I
fromHEADUNIT
BridgedSpeaker Wiring
LEFT +
I I
SPEAKER
Tho Channel Amplifiers:
RIP496, RIP596, and RIP696
Connectthe NEGATIVE SPEAKER TERMINAL tothc
RIGHT CHANNEL NEGATIVEAMPLIFIER TERMINAL
Connectthe POSITIVE SPEAKER TERMINAL to the
LEFT CHANNEL POSITIVE AMPLIFIER TERMINAL.
GROUND^
toREMOTETurn-on
fromHEADUNIT
to BATTERY @ -- ----.-
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
4-8 OHMS!

Four Channel Speaker Wiring
Four Channel Amplifiers:
RIP796 and RIP896
1 Bridged Speaker Wiring
Four Channel Amplifiers:
RIP796 and RIP896
toREMOTETurn-on
from HEAD
UNIT
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
4-8 OHMS1

Dual mi-ModeSpeaker Wiring
Four Channel Amplifiers:
RIP796 and RIP896
Tri-Mode Operation is a unique feature which allows a subwoofer to be operated in MONO
mode,while the mainspeakersare playinginSTEREO simultaneouslyon one pair of amplifier
outputchannels.
To engagethe amplifier inthis mode, placethe Crossover (Subwoofer) switch inthe"FUII'
,
positjon. Use a 1 OOv non-polarcapacitorfor ahigh pass crossoverand awire coil inductor
to block highfrequencies from the subwoofer as shown inthe figure below. Please review
the table below for inductor and capacitor component values to determine the desired
.
crossoverfrequencies.
SUBWOOFER MINIMUM
IMPEDANCE
4-8 OHMS! LOWPASS
SUBWOOFER FILTERCAPACITOR 1
I00Hz 6.5mH 330uF
120Hz 5.5mH 330uF
150Hz 4mH 22OuF
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
4-8 OHMS1
FILTER CAPACITOR
toREMOTETurn-on I
from HEAD UNIT
to BATTERY @
SPEAKER IMPEDANCE CH3 SPEAKER IMPEDANCE
4-8 OHMS! CH4 4-8 OHMS1
SPEAKER SPEAKER
SUBWOOFER
HIGHPASS LOW PASS
FILTER CAPACITOR SUBWOOFER MINIMUM FILTERCAPACITOR
IMPEDANCE 4-8 OHMS1

Precautions
Beforeyou drill or cut any holes, investigateyour car's layout very carefully. Take care
when you work near the gas tank, fuel lines, hydraulic lines and electrical wiring.
Do not operate the amplifier when it is unmounted. Attach all audio system components
securely within the automobile to prevent damage.
Do not mount this amplifier so that the wire connectionsare unprotected or in a pinched
condition, or likelyto be damaged by nearby objects.
Before making or breaking power connections in your system, disconnect the negative
terminal of the vehicle battery. Confirm that your head unit and any other equipment is
turned off while connecting the inputjacks and speaker terminals.
Ifyou need to repla e-it-with a fuse identicalto that supplied
with the sflsing a fuse of a different type or ratiirg may result in damage to your
syst
Aich is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Troubleshooting
Beforeremovingyour amplifier, refer to the list below and follow the
suggested procedures. Always test the speakers and their wires first.
No Output
Confirmthat all terminal strip connections are secure and tight.
Check both in-lineand built-in fuses. Both the "+I 2v" and the "~EM0TE"terminalsmust
have +12v referenced to chassis ground.
Confirm that the audio signal source (car radio, equalizer, etc.) is connected and is
supplying output signal. To check ifthe amplifier is supplying signal, unplug the RCA
cables from the signal source (but leave them plugged into the amp). Briefly tap the
center pin of each of the disconnected
RCA plugswith your finger. This should produce
a noise (feedback)inyour speakers.
Only one
Confirmthat all speaker strip connections are secure and tight.
channel
works
Check the "BALANC~ control on the head unit (or other source) to verify that it is set to
its midpoint.
Ifyou are using the Low Level RCA input, reverse the input plugs at the amplifier (switch
the Rwith the
L). Ifthe channel which is silent switches to the other side, the problem is
either inthe head unit/ other source or the connectingcables.
Weak output Readjust the Input Level Control to better suit the input signal.
Noise inthe
Ifthe noise is a"whine" whose pitch follows the engine speed, confirm that the amplifier
Audio
and any other signal sources (head unit, etc.) are properly grounded.
Ifthe noise is a "clicking"or "popping" noise whose rate follows the engine speed, this
usuallymeans that the vehicle is equippedwith resistor spark plugs and wires, or that
the ignition is in need of service.
Check the routingofthe speaker and input wires to make sure they are not adjacent to
wires which interconnectlights and other accessories.
Ifthe above steps failto improveor clear noise interference, the system should be checked
bya professionalmobile audio installer.