Lightning Audio L-2125 User manual

INTRODUCTION
Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase. At Lightning Audio we are
pleased that you chose our product.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your new
Lightning Audio product installed by an Authorized Lightning
Audio Dealer. Please read your warranty and retain your receipt
and original carton for possible future use.
Visit our web site for the latest information on all Lightning Audio
products; www.lightningaudio.com
or, in the U.S. call1-888-881-8186 or FAX [phone]
Table of Content
2 Introduction
3 Specifications
4-5 Design Features
6-15 Installation
Installation Considerations
Mounting Locations
Battery and Charging
Wiring the System
16 Operation
Adjusting Level
Adjusting Crossover Frequency
Variable Phase
Bass Boost (Variable & Selectable)
Remote Level Control
17 Troubleshooting
18-23 Additional Languages
French
Spanish
German
Italian
24 Limited Warranty Information
If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product,
we recommend that you see your Lightning Audio dealer. If you need further
assistance , you can call us direct at 1-800-669-9899. Be sure to have your
serial number, model number and date of purchase available when you call.
Safety
This symbol with "WARNING" is intended to
A\ alert the user to the presence of important in-
L.1.1 WARNING structions. Failure to heed the instructions will
result in severe injury or death.
ihCAUTION
This symbol with "CAUTION" is intended to
alert the user to the presence of important in-
structions . Failure to heed the instructions can
result in injury or unit damage.
• To prevent injury and damage to the unit, please read and follow the
instructions in this manual. We want you to enjoy this system , not get
a headache .
•
If you feel unsure about installing this system yourself , have it installed
by a qualified Lightning Audio technician.
• Before installation , disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal to
prevent damage to the unit , fire and/or possible injury.
©2013 Rockford Corporation . All Rights Reserved. Lightning Audio and associated logos where applicable are registered trademarks of Rockford Corpora-
tion in the United States and/or other countries . All other trademarks are the property of their respective owne rs. Specifications subject to change without notice.
2

SPECIFICATIONS
L·21
25
L-4300 L-4600 L-5600
L ·
1250
L·1
5000
L-11
0000
Rated
Power
-
40x2
@4
ohms
50
x4
@4
ohms
100x4@
4
ohms
50x4
@4
ohms
150x
1@4
ohms
125x1
@4
ohms
250x1
@4
ohms
Continuous
Power
65x2@
2
ohms
75x4@
2
ohms
150x4
@2
ohms
75x4
@2
ohms
250x
1@2
ohms
250x1
@2
ohms
500
x1@2
ohms
Rating
(RMS)
Measured
125x1
@4
ohms•
150x2
@4
ohms·
300x2@
4
ohms•
150x2@
4
ohms•
500x
1@
1
ohm
1000x1
@
1
ohm
@
14.4V
Sub:
200
x1@4
ohms
S
ub
:
300x1
@2
ohms
Crossover
Slope
12dB/Oct
12
dB/Oct
12
dB
/
Oct
12
dB
/
Oct
12
dB
/
Oct
12
dB
/
Oct
12dB
/
Oct
Crossover
Frequency
Variable
50Hz-250Hz
Variable
50Hz-250Hz
Variable
50Hz-250Hz
Variable
50Hz-250Hz
Variable
50Hz
-
250Hz
Variable
50Hz·250Hz
Variable
50Hz-250Hz
SS
:
28Hz
Fixed
25Hz
HP
Fi
x
ed
25Hz
HP
Fixed
25H
z
HP
Bass
Boost
Selectable
Selectable Selectable
Variable
0·'
12dB
Va
ri
able
0-•
12dB
Var
i
able
0··
12dB
Variable
0-•
12dB
0
/'
6dB
/•
12dB
@
45Hz
0/•6dB
/'
12dB
@
45Hz
0
/'
6dB
/
•12dB
@
45Hz
@
45Hz
@
45Hz
@
45Hz
@
45Hz
Operating
Voltage
9-16VDC
9-16VDC
9-16VDC
9·
16VDC
9-16VDC
9-16VDC 9-16VDC
Frequency
Response
20Hz-20kHz
20
H
z-20k
Hz
20Hz-20k
Hz
20Hz-20kHz
25
Hz-250H
z
25Hz-250
Hz
25
H
z-250Hz
Sub
:
25Hz-250Hz
Batte(r
Fuse
Rating
25A
50
A
90A
70A
30A
50
A
90A
not
supplied)
THD+N
@
Rated
Power
<1
.0%@
4
ohms
<1.
0%
@4o
hm
s
<1
.
0%
@4
ohms
F/R: <1.0%@4
ohms
<1
.
0%
@4
ohms
<1.
0%
@4
ohms
<1.
0%
@2
ohms
<1.0%@2o
hms
<1
.
0%
@2o
hm
s <1.
0%
@4
ohms
<1.0%@2
ohms
<
1.0
%@
2
ohms
<1.
0%
@2
oh
ms
<1.0%@2
ohms
<1.
0%
@1
ohm
<1.0
%@
1
ohm
S
ub
:
<1.
0%
@4
ohms
<1.
0%
@2
ohms
Input
Sensitivity
1
50mV-4V
Low
L
evel
150mV-4V
Low
L
ev
el
150mV
-
4V
Low
Level
150mV-4V
Low
Level
150mV
-4V
Low
Level
150mV-4V
Low
Level
15
0
mV-4V
Low
Level
300mV-8V
Hi
gh
Level
300mV-8V
High
L
eve
l
300mV
-
8V
H
ig
h
Le
ve
l
300mV-8V
High
Leve
l
300mV-8V
High
Level
300mV-8V
Hi
gh
Level
300mV-8V
High
Le
ve
l
Input
Impedance
20k 20k 20k 20k
20k
20k 20k
SIN
Ratio
CEA
2006
>8
0dB
>
80dB
>
BOdB
F/R:>
BOdB
>BO
dB
>
BOdB
>
BOdB
Sub
:>
BOdB
SIN
Ratio
@
Rated
>
100dB
>
100dB
>
100dB
F/
R:>
100dB
>
100dB
>
100dB
>
10
0
dB
Power
S
ub
:
>1
00dB
Channel
Separation
>50d
B >
50dB
>
50dB
>
50dB
N/A N/A N/A
Common
Mode
Rejec
-
lion
Ratio
>40dB
>
40dB
>40dB
>
40dB
>40dB >40dB
>40dB
Damping
Factor
>
200
>
200
>2
00
F/R
:
>2
00
>200
>
200
>200
S
ub
:>
200
Dimensions
(LxWxH)
7.9"
x7
.6"x2.3"
17
.
4"
x7.6" x2.3"
17.4
"x
7.6"x2.
3"
17
.4"x7.6"x2.3" 11.8"
X
7.6
"
X
2.3"
7.
9"x7.6"
x2.3
"
11.B
"x7.6"
x2
.
3"
(20cm
x1
9.4em
x5.8
em)
(4
4
.1em
x
19.4em
x
(4
4.1em
x
19
.
4em
x
(4
4.1em x
19.4em
x
(30cm
x19.
4em
x
5.8
em)
(20cm
x
19
.
4em
x
5.8
em)
(30cm
x
19
.
4em
x
5.8
em)
5.8
em)
5.8em) 5.8
em)
*
Rated
power
when
amplifier
is
wired
in
a
bridged
configuration.
CEA
2006
Power
rat1ngs
onl
'Qtllnin~
Audio
arnplil1ers
conform
tc
CfA-2006
industry
standards.
These
guidelines
mean
your
amplifier's
output
power
ratings
are
REAL
POWER
11umbers
not
inflated
marketing
rat
ings.
3

DESIGN FEATURES
level Control
The level control is used to match the output of the
audio source.
High level Inputs - Optional Inputs
Accepts High Leve l speaker signal when ut ilizing
the harness provided.
RCA Input/Pass- Thru Jacks
The RCA Inputs/Pa ss- Thru Jacks are nickel -plated to
resist the signal degradation caused by corrosion . The
Pass- Thru provides a convenient source for daisy-
chaining an additional amplifier without running an
ex tra set of RCA cables from th e front of the vehi c le to
the rear amplifier loc a tion .
Power/REM Terminals
T he Power and G round Termina ls are nickel - plat -
ed set - scre w wir e connectors and will accommo -
dat e4 AWG . The REM Te rmin al isa ni c kel - plat ed
se t- screw wir e connector and will acco mmodate
8AWG.
HIGH LE\ LINPUT FR NT
r- INPUT ---, + _ + _ !-£' E';
- ~ @) ®) :ll:::: ' ~~~.:.
---ti-----ff-- 0 0 LEVEL
© m @) @) @) .[~d~.;,
4
b;:;;;;;~=h&. FRONT REAR SUB +_ +_
CLlJ 11?'='---------=---=----
1 I
Speaker Terminals
The Speaker Terminals are nick el -p l ated
set-screw wir e co nn e ctor s(+ and -) will
accommodate 8 AWG.

Crossover
Switch
Selectable
switch
for
Low-Pass
(LP)
or
All
Pass
(AP)
or
High-Pass
(HP)
DESIGN
FEATURES
Variable
Crossover
A
built
-
in
12dB/octave
Butterworth
filter
with
a
crossover
point
variable
from
50Hz
to
250Hz
_
(L
-
1250
, L
-15000
&
L
-11
OOOD
have
an
additional
25Hz
fi
xed
subsonic
filter
at
24/dB)
HP-AP-LP
FRONT
FREQ
.
=-
[IJ
1
100~175
•
LP
REAR
REQ
.
100. .175
75.
•
225
75·~·225
•
50
iso
MIN
M.u
50
iso
SUBFREQ.
PHASE
100
~175
o•
tao•
·~·
50
i5o
BASS
BOOST
REMOTE
LEVEL
POWER
0----~~~~----------
0
PROTECT
Remote
level
Control
Remotely
control
the
subwoofer
output
level
of
the
amplifier
.
Bass
Boost
Power/Protect
LED
Power
LED
illuminates
green
when
the
uni
t
is
turned
on
_
ProtecV
Thermal
LED
illuminates
red
when
amplifier
overheats
or
short
circu
i
ts
.
The
amplifier
will
automatically
shut
down
if
this
occurs.
Thi
s
va
r
iable
control
works
along
with
the
cross
o
ver
swit
ch
on
the
ampli
f
ier
,
boosting
the
bass
f
re
quencies.
Variable
Phase
T
he
variable
0-
180
.
pha
sec
ontrol
allows
the
list
ener
to
c
hange
the
a
rriv
al
tim
e
of
th
e
subwoof
er s
ound
wav
es
re
la
tiv
eto
th
e
sa
mefre
qu
en
cies
f
rom
thema
in
sp
ea
kers.
illus
.-
1.1
s

INSTALLATION
Contents
• Lightning Audio Amplifier
• Remote Level Control
(L-5600, L-1250 , L-15000&
L-110000)
Installation Considerations
• High Level Input Connector
• Installation & Operation
Manual
The following is a list of tools needed for installation:
• Fuse-holder and fuse . (See • Hand held drill w/assorted bits
specifications for fuse rating)
• Volt/Ohm Meter
• Wire strippers
• Wire crimpers
• Wire cutters
• #2 Phillips screwdriver
• Battery post wr enc h
•
Assorted connectors
• Adequate Length-Red
PowerWire
• Adequate Length-Remote
Turn-on Wire
• Adequate Length-Black
GroundingWire
This section focuse s on some of the vehi c le conside ration s for i nstall-
ing your new amplifier. Pre - planning your s ystem layout and best wir i ng
routes will save installation time. When deciding on the layout of your new
system, be sure that each component will be easily accessible for making
adjustments.
.&,. CAUTION Before installation, disconnect the battery neg-
ative (- )terminal to prevent damage to the unit ,
fire and/or possible injury .
.&,_ CAUTION Before beginning an y installation, follow these
s impl e rules:
1. Be sure to carefully read and understand th e in s truction s before
attempti ng to in stal l th e unit.
2. For safet y, disconnect the negative lead from the battery prior to
beginning the installation.
3. For easie r assemb ly , we suggest you run all wir es prior to mounting
your unit in place .
4. Route a ll of the RCA cables c lo se together and away from an y high
cu rr ent wir es .
5. U se high quality connec tor s for ar eliable installation and to minimize
si gna l or power l os s.
6
6. Think before you drill! Be careful not to cut or drill i nto gas tanks, fuel
lines, brake or hydraulic lines , vacuum lines or electrical wiring when
working on any vehicle.
7. Never run wires underneath the vehicle. Running the wires i ns ide the
vehicle provides the best protect i on.
8. Avoid running wires over or through s harp edges. Use rubber or
plastic grommets to protec t any wires routed through metal, especially
t he firewall.
9. ALWAYS protect the battery and electrica l system from damage with
proper fusing . Instal l the appropriate fuse holder and fuse on the+ 12V
power wire within 18 " (45.7 em) of the b atter y te rm inal.
10. When grounding to the chassis of the vehicle , scrape a ll paint from
the metal to ensure a good , clean ground connection. Grounding
connections should be as short as possible and always be connected
to metal that is welded to the main body , or chassis, of the veh i cle.
Seatbelt bolts should never be used for connecting to ground.
Mounting Locations
To ensure optimal performance , mount the amplifier with at least
1" (2.54cm) of air gap around the amplifier's heat sink to provide
proper cooling.
Trunk Mounting
Mounting the amplifier v ertica lly or inver t ed will provide adequate cool-
ing of the amplifier. Mounting the amplifier on the floor of the trunk w il l
provide the best cooling of the amplifier.
Passenger Compartment Mounting
Mounting the amplifier in the passenger compartment will work as long as
you provide as uffi c ie nt amount of air for the amp li fier to coo l itse l f. If you
are going to mount the amplifier under the seat of thev ehic l e, yo u must
have at le ast 1" (2 . 54cm) of air gap around the amplifier's heats ink .
,r.... CAUTION N ever mountth is unit i ~ t~e eng i ne _ compar t-
~ ment. Mountmg the un1t m the eng 1n e com -
partment will void your war r anty.
Battery and Charging
Amplifi ers will put an increased l oad on the ve hi cl e's battery and charging
system. We recommend checking your al ternator and battery cond i tion
to ensure that the electrical system has enough capacity to handle the
increased load of your stereo system. Stock electrica l systems, whi ch are
in good condition, should be ab le to handle the extra load of any Lighting
Audio Series amp lifi er without problems, a lthough battery and alt e rnator
life can be reduced slight ly . To maximi ze the pe r formance of your ampli -
fier, we suggest the use of a hea vy duty battery a nd an energy sto r ag e
capac it or.

Wiring the System
6CAUTION
If you do not feel comfortable with wiring your
new unit, please see your local Authorized
Lightning Audio Dealer for installation.
6 CAUTION Before installation, disconnect the battery neg-
ative(-) terminal to prevent damage to the unit,
fire and/or possible injury.
6CAUTION
Avoid running power wires near the low level
input cables , antenna , power leads, sensitive
equipment or harnesses . The power wires car-
ry substantial current and could induce noise
into the audio system.
1. Plan the wire routing. Keep RCA cables close together but isolated
from the amp I ifier 's power cables and any high power auto accessories,
especially electric motors . This is done to prevent coupling the noise
from radiated electrical fields into the audio signal. When feeding
the wires through the firewall or any metal barrier, protect them with
plastic or rubber grommets to prevent short circuits . Leave the wires
long at this point to adjust for a precise fit at a later time.
2. Prepare the RED wire (power cable) for attachment to the amplifier by
stripping 1/2" of insulation from the end of the wire. Insert the bared
wire into the B+ terminal and tighten the set screw to secure the cable
in place.
NOTE: The B+ cable MUST be fused 18" or less from the vehicle's battery.
Install the fuseholder under the hood and ensure connections are water
tight.
3. Trim the RED wire (power cable) within 18" of the battery and splice in
a inline fuse holder (not supplied). See Specifications for the rating of
the fuse to be used. DO NOT install the fuse at this time.
4. Strip 1/2" from the battery end of the power cable and crimp an
appropriate size ri ng terminal to the cable . Use the ring terminal to
connect to the battery positive terminal.
5. Prepare the BLACK wire (Ground cable) for attachment to the amplifier
by s tripping 1/ 2" of in s ulation from the end of the wire. Insert the bare
wire into the GROUND terminal and tighten the set screw to secure the
cable in place . Prepare the chassis ground by scraping any paint from
the metal surface and thoroughly clean the area of all dirt and grease .
Strip the other end of the wire and attach a ring connector. Fasten the
cable to the chassis using a non - anodized screw and a star washer.
NOTE : Keep the length of the BLACK wire (Ground) as short as possible .
Always less than 30".
7
INSTALLATION
6. Prepare the Remote turn-on wire for attachment to the amplifier by
stripping 1/2" of insulation from the end of the wire . Insert the bared
wire into the REMOTE terminal and tighten the set screw to secure the
wire in place. Connect the other end of the Remote wire to a switched
12 volt positive source . The switched voltage is usually taken from the
source unit's remote amp on lead.lf the source unit does not have this
output available, the recommended solution is to wire a mechanical
switch in line with a 12 volt source to activate the amplifier.
7. Securely mount the amplifier to the vehicle or amp rack . Be careful not
to mount the amplifier on cardboard or plastic panels . Doing so may
enable the screws to pull out from the panel due to road vibration or
sudden vehicle stops.
8. Connect from source signal by plugging the RCA cables into the input
jacks at the amplifier.
NOTE: All "ACTIVE" inputs must have RCA jacks connected. When con-
necting to the 5-Channel inputs, be sure to route front , rear and sub RCA
cables tightly together.
Lt._ CAUTION
Always ensure power is off or disconnected at
the amplifier before connecting RCA cables .
Failure to do so may cause damage to the am-
plifier and/or connected components.
Note: When the installation requires a High Level (Speaker) input, use the
included connector to tie into your vehicles speaker wiring .
9.
Connect the speakers. Strip the speaker wires 1/2" and insert into the
speaker terminal and tighten the set screw to secure into place . Be
sure to maintain proper speaker polarity . DO NOT chassis ground any
of the speaker leads as unstable operation may result.
10. Perform a final check of the completed system wiring to ensure that all
· connections are accurate. Check all power and ground connections
for frayed wires and loose connections which could cause problems.
Install inline fuse near battery connection.
NOTE: Follow the diagrams for proper signal polarity.
Lt._ CAUTION
This amplifier is not recommended for im-
pedance loads below 2-0hm stereo/4-0hm
bridged for the front/rear channels and 2-ohm
for the sub channel. Models L- 1500D and L-
11 OOOD are not recommended for impedance
loads below 1- 0hm.

INSTALLATION
2-Channel [Stereo)
L-2125
Source Unit
PASS-THRU
Connects to inputs of
2nd Amplifier
•Installation optio n fo r multi - amp
install
---------~- - -,
L--------=:D·-- -- -- --- ~-
I
Switched 12V
to
REM
Connect to chassis
ground of vehicle
*Keep grounds as short
as possible
Less than 18"
+
L·2125
PDS NEG
ill us .- 2.1
jJ
20min .
'lleep grounds as short
as possible
20min.
a
Amplifier
... .
ffi n ·0·m
M m

2-
Channel
[Mono)
L-2125
Source
Unit
PASS-THRU
Connects
to
inputs
of
2nd
Amplifier
"Installa
tio
n o
ption
for
multi
-
amp
Install
,.,
~------.I
I
---------~---1
L------rnm::::::D.---------
~-
I
Switched 12V
to
REM
Connect to
chassis
ground of vehicle
'
Keep
grounds
as
short
as
possible
Less than 1
8'
+
PDS
NEG
40min
.
'Keep grounds
as
short
as
possible
9
I ·
I
INSTALLATION
Amplifier
11l
us
.-2
.2

INSTALLATION
4-
Channel
[Stereo)
L-4300 and L-4600
Source
Unit
_
__,r>-._
-- - -- --- -- --
~
------- - ---'
~
'.
I
I
Switched 12V
to
REM
Connect to
chassis
ground
of
vehicle
'Keep
~rounds
as
short
as
possible
Less than 18"
illu
s.
-2.3
20min
.
20min
.
'Keep
~rounds
as
short
as po
ssi
ble
20min
.
20min
.
10
Amplifier
':"":'it
...
(2)
.
...
H
i~
--
n·0·m
H i)l