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  9. Focal FP 1.800 User manual

Focal FP 1.800 User manual

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Copyright 2025 Manuals.Online. All Rights Reserved.

We thank you for choosing Focal amplifiers for your Car Audio system and for sharing our philosophy:
“the Spirit of Sound”. This product offers the latest advances in Focal amplifiers. n order to obtain
the best results, we highly recommend you have your new amplifier installed by your local Focal
distributor. To maximise the use of all the functionalities of your amplifier and to fully enjoy its
performance levels, we recommend that you read the entire instructions in this booklet, and then
keep it in a safe place for future reference. Any problems caused by not respecting the rules of use
may render your guarantee null and void.
In order to validate your guarantee, please fill out and return the last page of
this document within 10 days of purchase .
WARN NG
This symbol denotes important instructions. Non respect of these instructions may lead to serious
injuries and even fatal injuries.
CAUT ON
This symbol denotes important instructions. Non respect of these instructions may lead to injury or
material damage
User manual
focal power AMPLIfiers
Focal-JMlab® - B 374 - 108, rue de l'Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière cedex - France - www.focal-fr.com
Tél. (+33) 04 77 43 57 00 - Fax (+33) 04 77 43 57 04
Due to constant technological advances, Focal reserves the right to modify the technical specifications without prior notice.
Contents of the packaging:
- 1 amplifier
- 1 user’s manual
- 4 mounting screws
- Fuses
- 1 remote control (only supplied with the
F 1.800 and F 5.500 amplifiers)
- 5m cable for remote control (only supplied
with the F 1.800 and F 5.500 amplifiers)
- 1 quality control sheet
- Allen keys
Français page 25
notice amplis focal power gb.ind1 1notice amplis focal power gb.ind1 1 28/09/06 16:11:5128/09/06 16:11:51
WARNING
02
• Do not turn on any function which may distract you while driving the vehicle. Functions requiring
sustained attention must only be used when the vehicle is at a complete standstill. Make sure to always stop
your vehicle in a safe place before operating these functions. There is a risk of causing an accident.
• Keep the volume at a low level so as to be able to hear exterior noises while driving the vehicle.
There is a risk of causing an accident.
• Do not open the amplifier or undertake any modifications of the product. There is a risk of accident,
fire or electric shock.
• Only use this amplifier with 12V. mobile applications. Any other use other than the use for which this
product has been designed may lead to fire, electric shock or injury.
• Use fuses of the correct amperage. There is a risk of fire or electrocution.
• Do not obstruct radiators and/or vents. Internal overheating may occur and cause a fire.
• Ensure all connections are properly made. Check the section of cable and the type of cable if it does not
correspond with the use. There is a risk of fire, injury and/or damage to the product.
• To be used only with 12V. batteries. Check with your distributor if required. There is a risk of fire, injury
and/or damage to the product.
• Do not use nuts or fasteners part of the steering or braking systems for ground connection. The
fasteners and nuts used for the brake and steering systems (or any other security system) as well as various
tanks must never be used for grounding. Use of these parts as ground may deactivate the vehicle’s control
system and cause a fire or other technical problem.
• Keep all small objects which could be swallowed, such as the fasteners and screws, out of the reach
of children. Swallowing such objects may cause serious injuries. In the event of swallowing any of these
objects, seek medical advice immediately.
• Before commencing the installation, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid any
risk of injury, fire or damage to the equipment.
notice amplis focal power gb.ind2 2notice amplis focal power gb.ind2 2 28/09/06 16:11:5328/09/06 16:11:53
Listening for prolonged period at a high volume level, over 100dB, can lead to permanent
deterioration of your hearing. Listening at a volume of over 130dB, even for short periods of time, can
cause incurable damage and injury to your hearing.
Stop operation in the event of a problem. Failure to heed this precaution may result in injuries or damage
to the product. If a problem persists, return the product to your Focal distributor for repair.
Use the specified accessories and be sure to install them correctly. Only use the accessories specified in
the user’s manual and those which are supplied with the package. The use of other components could cause
internal damage to the product, and their installation risks to not being correctly installed. The parts being used
risk becoming loose and causing damages or technical faults with the product.
Do not assemble in very humid or dusty places. Avoid assembling the product in places with high levels of
humidity or an excessive presence of dust. Humidity or dust getting inside the product may cause a technical fault.
nstallation of the amplifier
The installation of this product requires technical knowledge and experience. In case you are uncertain of your
ability to correctly install the amplifier, we strongly recommend you contact your Focal distributor to install it for
you, so that you will be able to take full advantage of all the different possibilities of the amplifier.
Wiring of the amplifier
Only use the wires recommended in this manual. The loudspeaker wire must ONLY be used for connecting the
amplifier to the loudspeakers. The section of power cables must correspond with that which is detailed in the
table (p. 7) and correspond with the power of the amplifier and the length of the cable. Use double or triple
shielded RCA cables to avoid any interference of the low level signal.
Duration of operation of the amplifier
Avoid operating the amplifier for a long period of time (from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amplifier)
without starting the vehicle. Extensive use before starting the vehicle’s engine may lead to the battery going flat.
CAUTION
03
notice amplis focal power gb.ind3 3notice amplis focal power gb.ind3 3 28/09/06 16:11:5428/09/06 16:11:54
Material required for the installation:
• 2 conduits of suitable cross-section (1 conduit for the power cable, 1 conduit for the loudspeaker, REMOTE,
• RCA signal and REMOTE CONTROL cables).
• Multimeter (voltage/amperage)
• Soldering iron + solder
• Crimping tool
• Stripping pliers
• Wire cutter
• Spanner for battery terminal
• Hand drill and assorted drills
• Heat shrinks of suitable diameter for the different cables.
• ower cable of suitable length and section
• Remote switch on cable (REM input) of suitable length and section
• Ground cable of suitable length and section
• Assorted connectors
• Fuse holder and suitable fuse
• Joint tag for the battery’s positive (+) terminal
• Joint tag for the vehicle’s chassis (-)
• Screw with minimum 6mm screw head and its nut for ground connection to the chassis of the vehicle.
FOREWORD NOTES
04
notice amplis focal power gb.ind4 4notice amplis focal power gb.ind4 4 28/09/06 16:11:5428/09/06 16:11:54
The below section deals with issues regarding the vehicle which are necessary to take into account for the
installation of the amplifier. You’ll save time by planning the system layout and wiring in advance. Ensure that
during this preliminary step all the adjustments are accessible once the installation is complete.
Before starting the installation, please follow the following rules carefully:
installation
1 - After reading the whole manual, be sure that you have understood all the instructions before installing
the amplifier.
2 - Disconnect the battery’s negative wire before starting the installation. (fig. 1).
3 - To facilitate the assembly, we strongly recommend that you unwind all the wires before installing
the amplifier.
4 - ut aside all the RCA cables, loudspeaker, REM and REMOTE CONTROL {REMOTE CONTROL only
supplied with models F 1.800 and F 5.500} from the power cables in order to avoid any interference
of the signal.
5 - Use quality connectors to ensure a reliable installation and to minimise any losses of signal or power.
6 - Think carefully before drilling anything. Be extremely careful not to cut or drill the petrol (fuel) tank, the
fuel, brake, hydraulic or vacuum pipes, as well as the electrical wiring.
7 - Never route a wire under the vehicle. It is absolutely imperative to install them inside the vehicle for
better protection. While routing the wires, verify that they do not impair the driving of the vehicle.
Cables obstructing or routing through areas such as the steering wheel, pedals (brake, accelerator and
clutch, etc.) may be extremely dangerous.
8 - Avoid routing wires above or through sharp rims. Any wire routed through metal must be protected
with a grommet. Route the wires well away from mobile parts (seat rails,…) and from sharp or pointed
cutting edges. This will avoid catching or damaging the wires.
9 - Always protect the battery and electrical circuit from potential damages with the help of fuses. Install a
fuse holder and suitable fuses on the 12V positive (+) power cable at less than 40cm from the battery
terminal. Ideally, this abovementioned distance should be the shortest possible. (fig. 7).
10 - repare the chassis ground by scraping any trace of paint on the metal surface in order to ensure correct
grounding. The grounding connections should also be as short as possible and ALWAYS connected to
the metal welded to the body or the chassis of the vehicle. (fig. 4).
11 - NEVER install this product in the engine compartment of the vehicle. This will void the guarantee.
05
notice amplis focal power gb.ind5 5notice amplis focal power gb.ind5 5 28/09/06 16:11:5528/09/06 16:11:55
- Set-Up and Cabling
Where to install the amplifier?
The amplifier power is such that substantial heat is generated when it is operation. This is why the amplifier has
to be placed in a well-ventilated area of the car.
2 - Attaching the Amplifier (fig. 2)
The surface onto which you want to attach the amplifier (boot of the car, etc.) may not be smooth enough (due
to bumps, ribs, etc) to make it easy or even possible to fasten the amplifier. If this is the case, we recommend
that you mount the amplifier and its attachment system on a wooden base – i.e. MDF, plywood – which itself
is attached to the surface in question.
osition the amplifier at the desired location. Mark the location of attachment holes using appropriate means
– i.e. an indelible marker, a screwdriver, etc. Make sure that there is nothing below the surface which could
be damaged during drilling – i.e. tanks, bundles of cables, etc. Remove the amplifier, making sure that you
are using a 3mm-diameter drill bit, and then drill. ut the amplifier back into the initial position you chose
for it. Attach the amplifier using the four self-tapping screws supplied. For additional help, see the “General
Installation Guidelines” section.
WARN NG
Think carefully before drilling anything. Be extremely careful not to cut or drill the petrol (fuel) tank,
the fuel, brake, hydraulic or vacuum pipes, as well as the electrical wiring.
Fig. 2
 - Screws
 - Holes
 - Steel base
 - MDF base
06
installation
notice amplis focal power gb.ind6 6notice amplis focal power gb.ind6 6 28/09/06 16:11:5528/09/06 16:11:55
3 - Cabling
WARN NG
If there is a doubt as to your ability to install the amplifier and to cable the system properly, get a
Focal distributor to do it for you.
WARN NG
Before you begin the connection phase of set-up, remove the vehicle battery’s negative (-) terminal.
(fig. 1).
CAUT ON
Avoid routing power supply cables close to low-level input cables (RCA), to your car’s radio aerial, or to
sensitive units. High-current power supply cables can cause static/interference that affects audio signals.
CAUT ON
Keep cables as short as possible to optimise the system’s set-up performance and to reduce
signal loss.
3.1 - What power supply wire gauge should I use?
Amplifiers Main fuse Length of Cable in Metres
0-1m 1-1.8m 1.8-2.5m 2.5-3.3m 3.3-4.1m 4.1-5.6m 5.6-7.1m
Power 2.75 1 x 40A
8mm210mm210mm216mm216mm225mm225mm2
8AWG 7AWG 7AWG 5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG
Power 2.150 2 x 40A
16mm216mm225mm225mm235mm235mm253mm2
5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG
Power 4.75 2 x 40A
16mm216mm225mm225mm235mm235mm253mm2
5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG
Power 5.500 4 x 30A
25mm225mm225mm235mm253mm253mm253mm2
3AWG 3AWG 3AWG 2AWG 0AWG 0AWG 0AWG
Power 1.800 3 x 30A
16mm216mm225mm235mm235mm235mm253mm2
5AWG 5AWG 3AWG 2AWG 2AWG 2AWG 0AWG
AWG : American Wire Gauge
07
installation
3.2 - Route the low-level audio cables (RCA), the loudspeaker cables, the REMOTE cable, and the REMOTE
CONTROL cable together (a REMOTE CONTROL is ONLY supplied with product references F 1.800 and F
5.500} and insulate them from other high-power car accessories, and in particular insulate them from electric
motors (i.e. the windscreen-wiper motor, etc.). Retain the full length of the cables – adjustments can be made
later.
3.3 - Route the positive power cables (+). Make sure when doing so to route them opposite the cables that you
have previously drawn – this is to avoid any interference. DO NOT CONNECT THE CABLE YET.
3.4 - Get hold of the negative power cable. This cable should be as short as possible and ideally should not
be any longer than 1 metre, to ensure effective coupling between the amplifier and the car’s chassis. The cable
and its wire gauge should comply with the table on page 7. Find a suitable ground point (see fig. 4), then sand
it to remove any traces of paint or other covering and in so doing optimise the contact point. ierce the metal
that you have previously sanded, making a hole the same size as the screw you are using, making sure that
there are no tank cables or any other sensitive vehicle devices nearby. Remove the plastic around 1 cm of cable
and then tin it. Screw the cable firmly down onto the amplifier’s GND terminal. Tin the other end of it and then
crimp or weld it onto the terminal lug provided. Insert the terminal lug in the screw, and then put the screw and
nut in place and screw-drive the screw in firmly.
fig. 4
fig. 3
1cm/0.45“
08
installation
notice amplis focal power gb.ind8 8notice amplis focal power gb.ind8 8 28/09/06 16:11:5728/09/06 16:11:57
3.5 - You can now start the connection phase – i.e. connection of the audio signal (RCA), REMOTE, and
loudspeaker cables. Connect the RCAs to the amplifier, making sure that the polarities are correct (i.e. IN UT
Left = black or white, IN UT Right = red). Connect the other end of the RCAs to the car radio’s RCA* outputs
(Left = left ; Right = right).
Then connect the REMOTE cable to the amplifier (the REM terminal) – screw it in firmly. Connect the other end
of the REMOTE cable to the car radio’s REMOTE terminal.
Finally, connect the loudspeaker cables to the amplifier and make sure the polarities are correct
Connect the REMOTE CONTROL cable (a remote control is supplied with the F 1.800 and F 5.500 model
amplifiers) to the amplifier, and then put the remote control in its holder at the desired location.
WARN NG
Focal amplifiers are not recommended for use with impedance levels of less than 2Ω (apart from the
F 1.800 model).
3.6 - Get the positive (+) power supply cable ready for connection to the amplifier by removing 1cm of the
plastic coating from the end of it. Tin this part of the cable using a soldering iron and tin the wire. Insert the
plastic-free tinned part of it in the amplifier’s “+ BATT” terminal, then secure the cable in place by screwing
it in tightly.
fig. 6
fig. 5
* If the car radio is not equipped with RCA outputs, high-level to low-level adapters
(loudspeaker outputs that are used as RCA outputs) are available fro all Focal
distributors. These adapters will enable the cables to be connected via the car radio’s
loudspeaker outputs instead of via the requisite RCA outputs, which they replace.
09
installation
notice amplis focal power gb.ind9 9notice amplis focal power gb.ind9 9 28/09/06 16:11:5728/09/06 16:11:57
WARN NG
The cable that links the positive (+) terminal to the battery at the amplifier’s “+ BATT” binding post terminal
must ABSOLUTELY be fused (see current ratings listed in the table on page 19) not more than 40cm from the
vehicle’s battery. The connections on the fuse-holder must be fully insulated.
3.7.1 - You can now start the fuse-holder (the role of which is to make the system safe) installation phase.
The fuse-holder must be connected on both sides to the positive (+) power supply cable. It has to be near
the battery (i.e. 10cm - 40cm from the battery). Disassemble the fuse-holder, taking care to remove the fuse.
Attach the base of the fuse-holder. Cut the red power supply cable at a distance of between 10cm and 40cm
(maximum) from the battery. Retain the cable you do not use here, as it will be used later, to link the other end
of the fuse-holder to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle’s battery. Strip 1cm of the cable end, then tin it.
Screw the cable into the fuse-holder binding post terminal. Do not throw away the spare cable that is left over.
Strip 1cm of the cable end, then tin it. Screw the cable into the other fuse-holder binding post terminal (fig. 7).
Note: The F 5.500 amplifier use internal fuses (as opposed to other amplifiers witch have fuses on the rear
panel). Replacing these components requires opening the bottom cover of the amplifier. Only a Focal dealer
is authorized to change this component. Thank you for bringing the amplifier back to your dealer in order to
place the fuse, so to avoid any risk of electric shock, product damage or voidance of guarantee.
WARN NG
Do not open the amplifier or undertake any modifications to the product. There is a risk of accident, fire or
electric shock.
3.7.2 - THE FOLLOWING ROCEDURE IS INTENTED TO FOCAL DEALER ONLY. DO NOT CHANGE THE
FUSE BY YOURSELF.
F 5.500 fuse replacement procedure:
- Switch off the amplifier and the other components of the car audio system.
- Disconnect the positive terminal of the battery powering the amplifier.
- Unscrew the fixing screws of the amplifier.
- Turn the amplifier upside down, bear in mind that wires musn’t get twisted or crushed.
- Unscrew the screws securing the bottom cover of the amplifier.
- Take the cover off.
- Remove the blown fuses.
fig. 7
40 cm max
10
installation
notice amplis focal power gb.ind10 10notice amplis focal power gb.ind10 10 28/09/06 16:11:5828/09/06 16:11:58