Renegade RXA 550 User manual

2-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
USER’S MANUAL
RXA 550

Please read the user‘s manual carefully before the installation and the rst operation
of the amplier.
SPECIFICATIONS RXA550
Output Power RMS
Output Power Max.
Loudspeaker impedance (stereo)
Frequency Response
Total Harmonic Distortion
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Input Sensitivity
Input Impedance
Lowpass Filter
Highpass Filter
Bass Boost & Treble Boost
Line Outputs
Operating Voltage
Fuse Rating
Dimensions (B x H x L)
2 x 75 W @ 4 Ohms
2 x 135 W @ 2 Ohms
2 x 150 W @ 4 Ohms
2 x 275 W @ 2 Ohms
2 – 8 Ohm
5 – 40 000 Hz (-3 dB)
< 0,5 % (1 kHz)
> 90 dB
0,1 – 7 V
10 kOhm
50 – 250 Hz @ 12 dB/Octave
50 – 250 Hz @ 12 dB/Octave
Switchable 0 / 6 / 12 dB
Stereo, fullrange
+12 V (9 – 15 V), negative ground
1 x 30 A
220 x 48 x 250 mm
All Specications are subject to change
WARRANTY
This product meets the current EU minimum warranty requirements, if purchased in countries of the EU. To en-
sureyourwarrantypolicykeepyouroriginalreceiptproongthedateofpurchase.Anydamagetotheproduct
as a result of misuse, abuse, accident, incorrect wiring, improper installation, alteration of date code or barcode
labels, revolution, natural disaster, or any sneaky stuff because someone messed up, repair or alteration out
side of our factory or authorized service centers and any thing else you have done that you should not have
doneisnotcovered.Thiswarrantyislimitedtodefectivepartsandspecicallyexcludesanyincidentalorcon-
sequential damages connected therewith.

IMPORTANT NOTES PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
- This device is only suited for a 12 volt system with negative ground.
- Theradiatedheatwhileoperationrequiressufcientaircirculationattheplaceofinstallation.Itis
veryimportantthattheheatsinknsdonothavecontactwithanymetalpartsoranysurfaceswhich
couldimpairaircirculation.Theampliermaynotbeinstalledinsmallclosedlocationorspaces
without air circulation (e.g. spare wheel recess or below the vehicle carpeting). We recommend the
installationinthevehicle’strunk.Ensuresufcientprotectionagainstvibrations,dustanddirt.
- Ensurethattheinputandoutputcablesaresufcientlyseparatedfromthepowersupplycables.
Otherwise interferences may occur.
- Ensure the accessibility of the fuse and the operating elements after installation.
- Thereliabilityandperformanceoftheamplierdependsonthequalityofinstallation.Preferably
consult an expert to install the system, particularly if you want to install several loudspeakers.
POWER SUPPLY AND TURN-ON-CONNECTION
INTERCONNECTION
ATTENTION: Before you start with the installation, disconnect the ground connection from the vehicle’s
battery in order to prevent short circuits.
Thepowerwiringwhichisusuallyinstalledinon-boardcarnetworksisnotsufcientforapoweramplier‘s
demands.MakesurethatthepowerwirestoGNDandtothe+12Vterminalhasbeensufcientlyspecied.A
cable crosssection of at least 10 mm2mustbeusedtoconnectthebatterytotheamplier‘sterminals.
FirstconnecttheGNDterminaloftheampliertoanappropriategroundconnectionatthechassis.Toensurea
good connection, residue dirt and dust from the connection point. A loose connection may cause malfunctions
or interferences noise and distortion.
Thenconnectthe+12Vterminaloftheamplierwiththebatterybyusinganappropriatecableincludingan
in-line fuse. This fuse should be located very close to the battery; for safety reasons not more than 30 cm
away. Only insert the fuse when the installation, including the connection of the loudspeakers, has been ac-
complished.
Thenconnecttheremoteturn-on-wirefromtheheadunitwiththeamplier‘sREMterminal.Acablewithacross-
section of 0.5 mm2is adequate.
LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTIONS
- In2-channeloperation(i.e.oneloudspeakeroneachamplierchannel),theimpedancemust
not be lower than 2 ohms for each speaker
- Inbridgingmode(twoamplieroutputscombined)theimpedancemustnotbelowerthan4ohms.
- Never connect loudspeaker cables with the ground of the chassis or the +12 V supply voltage.
Iftheamplierisoperatedwithatoolowimpedanceorincorrectlyused,theentiresoundsystemmaybeda-
maged. This means a warranty void in such cases.

AUDIO SIGNAL CABLES
WheninstallingtheaudiocablesbetweentheRCAoutputsoftheheadunitandtheRCAinputsoftheamplier,
the audio and power supply cables should, if possible, not be routed along the same side of the vehicle. We
recommend a separated installation, e.g. routing the power cable through the cable channel on the left side
and the audio cables through the cable channel of the vehicle on the right side or vice versa. This prevents
interferences due to crosstalk into the audio signal.
SIGNAL OUTPUTS TO CONNECT ADDITIONAL AMPLIFIERS
The input signal on the INPUT jacks (Fig. 1,6) will be routed in stereo to the output jacks OUTPUT (Fig. 1,5).
ThustheOUTPUTjackallowstheconnectionofaadditionalamplier.
INPUT SENSITIVITY
OPERATING ELEMENTS
TurntheGAIN(Fig.1,9)controlleroftheampliertotheMINposition.Thenturnthevolumecontrollerofthe
headunit to 80 - 90% of its full setting. Now turn GAIN clockwise until you hear some distortion. Then turn back
the GAIN slightly until you hear a cleaner sound.
VARIABLE HIGHPASS FILTER
Ifthe amplieris tobe usedfor mid-range/tweeterloudspeakers, setthe switchesCROSSOVER(Fig.1,3)
to HPF. Then set the desired cross-over frequency on the HPF controller (Fig.1,2). Thus to that only the fre-
quenciesabovethechosencross-overfrequencywillbeamplied.Thiseffectivelyminimizesdistortionsand
overloads at lower frequencies. A good point to start is at 125 Hz.
If you use loudspeakers (>20 cm) set CROSSOVER (Fig.1,3). to ”FULL”. In this case, the HPF controller are
without function (Fig.1,2).
PROTECTION CIRCUIT
ThePRT/PWRLED(Fig.1,1)litsupgreen,iftheamplierisinoperation.
ThePRT/PWRLED(Fig.1,1)litsupred,whentheamplierisoverheated,orashortcircuitoccursresp.atoo
low impedance load is connected to the speaker outputs. If this events, the internal built-in protection circuit
shutsdown theamplierautomatically.Theampliershouldworkagainproperlyafter youhave solvedthe
problems.
VARIABLE LOWPASS FILTER
If the amplier is used to drive a subwoofer, set the switch (Fig. 1,3) to „LPF“. Set the desired cross-over
frequency by using the controller (Fig. 1,4). Thus to that only the frequencies below the chosen cross-over
frequencywillbeampliedandthesubwooferplaysmoreprecisedandefcient.
SWITCHABLE BASS BOOST
SWITCHABLE TREBLE BOOST
By using the BASS BOOST switch (Fig.1,8) you are able to increase the bass enhancement by 6 or 12 dB.
Attention: Use the BASS BOOST wisely!
By using the TREBLE BOOST switch (Fig.1,7) you are able to increase the treble enhancement by 6 or 12 dB.
Attention: Use the TREBLE BOOST wisely!

FIGURES (P. 28-30)
CONNECTIONS AND CONTROLLERS (FIG. 1)
(1) Power-/Protection-LED
(2) Highpassltercontroller
(3) Selector FULL / LPF (Lowpass) / HPF (Highpass)
(4) Lowpassltercontroller
(5) Audiosignaloutputstosupplyadditionalampliers
(6) Audio signal inputs
(7) Bass Boost selector
(8) Treble Boost selector
(9) Gain controller
POWER SUPPLY AND TURN ON CONNECTION (FIG. 2)
(1) GND terminal for the ground
(2) REM terminal for the turn on connection
(3) +12 V terminal for the positive-connection of the battery
(4) Vehicle’s battery
(5) In-Line Fuse (not included in the scope of delivery)
(6) Turn on wire from the headunit or the electrical antenna
(7) Fuse(s)
2-CHANNEL OPERATION STEREO (FIG. 3)
Ifyouwanttoruntheamplierwiththe2lineoutputchannelsfromtheheadunittodrive2loudspeakers,in
stereo connect the following setup:
(1) To the headunit, line output right
(2) To the headunit, line output left
(3) Loudspeaker left
(4) Loudspeaker right
1-CHANNEL OPERATION MONO (FIG. 4)
Ifyouwanttoruntheamplierwiththe2lineoutputchannelsfromtheheadunittodriveasubwoofer,connect
the following setup:
(1) To the headunit, line output rear right or subwoofer output
(2) To the headunit, line output rear left or subwoofer output
(3) Subwoofer
IMPORTANT!
Always observe the correct polarity of all connections!

TROUBLESHOOTING
If you are having problems after installation follow the Troubleshooting procedures below.
Procedure 1:
CheckAmplierforproperconnections.
Verify that PRT/PWR LED lits up green. If If this is the case, skip to Step 3, if not continue.
1. Check in-line fuse on battery positive cable. Replace if necessary.
2. Checkfuse(s)onamplier.Replaceifnecessary.
3. Verify that Ground connection is connected to clean metal on the vehicle’s chassis. Repair/replace if necessary.
4. Verify there is 9 to 16 Volts present at the positive battery and remote turn-on cable.Verify quality connections for both cables at
amplier,stereo,andbattery/fuseholder.Repair/replaceifnecessary.
Procedure 2:
PRT/PWR LED lits up red.
1. If the PROTECT lits up red, this is a sign of a possible short in the speaker connections. Check for proper speaker connections
and use an ohm meter to check for possible shorts in the speaker wiring. Too low speaker impedance may also cause PROTECTION
tolight.ThiscanalsobeasignofdrivingtheamplieratveryhighpowerGAINswithoutadequateairowaroundtheamplier.Shut
offthesystemandallowampliertocool.Checkthatthevehiclechargingsystemismaintainingpropervoltage.Ifthepreviousitems
donotsolvetheproblem,afaultmaybeintheamplier.Inthiscaseyoushouldcontactyourdealer.
Procedure 3:
CheckAmplierforaudiooutput.
1. VerifygoodRCAinputconnectionsatstereoandamplier.Checkentirelengthofcablesforkinks,splices,etc.
Test RCA inputs for AC volts with stereo on. Repair/replace if necessary.
Procedure 4:
CheckAmplierforapoppingnoisewhileturningon.
1.Disconnectinputsignaltoamplierandturnamplieronandoff.
2.Ifthenoiseiseliminated,connecttheremoteleadofampliertosourceunitwithadelayturn-onmodule.
Procedure 5:
CheckAmplierifyouexperienceexcessEngineNoise.
1. Route all signal carrying wires (RCA, Speaker cables) away from power and ground wires.
OR
2. Bypassanyandallelectricalcomponentsbetweentheheadunitandtheamplier(s).Connectstereo
directlytoinputofamplier.Ifnoisegoesawaytheunitbeingbypassedisthecauseofthenoise.
OR
3. Remove existing ground wires for all electrical components. Reground wires to different locations.
Verify that grounding location is clean, shiny metal free of paint, rust etc.
OR
4. Add secondary ground cable from negative battery terminal to the chassis metal or engine block of vehicle.
OR
5. Have alternator and battery load tested by your mechanic.Verify good working order of vehicle electrical system including distributor,
spark plugs, spark plug wires, voltage regulator etc.

1
+–
2
13 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 7
6
4
5
2

0dB 0dB
6dB 6dB
12dB 12dB
HPF
FULL 1
2
3
2 - 8 Ω 2 - 8 Ω
3 4

4 - 8 Ω
3
0dB
6dB
12dB
LPF
2
1
4
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