Rockford Fosgate 5.3x Owner's manual

InstallationInstallation
InstallationInstallation
Installation
andand
andand
and
OperationOperation
OperationOperation
Operation
® ®
car audio
fanatics
for
390 Watt Amplifier
5-channel w/crossovers

Dear Customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of the world's finest brand of car audio amplifiers.
AtRockfordFosgatewearefanaticsaboutmusicalreproductionatitsbest,andweare
pleasedyouchoseourproduct.Throughyearsofengineeringexpertise,handcraftsman-
ship and critical testing procedures, we have created a wide range of products that
reproduce music with all the clarity and richness you deserve.
For maximum performance we recommend you have your new Rockford Fosgate
product installed by an Authorized Rockford Fosgate Dealer, as we provide specialized
training through Rockford Technical Training Institute (RTTI). Please read your
warranty and retain your receipt and original carton for possible future use.
Greatproductandcompetent installationsareonly apieceofthepuzzle whenitcomes
to your system. Make sure that your installer is using 100% authentic installation
accessories from Connecting Punch in your installation. Connecting Punch has
everything from RCA cables and speaker wire to Power line and battery connectors.
Insist on it! After all, your new system deserves nothing but the best.
To add the finishing touch to your new Rockford Fosgate image order your Rockford
wearables,which include everything from T-shirts and jackets tohats and sunglasses.
To get a free brochure on Rockford Fosgate products and Rockford accessories, in the
U.S.call602-967-3565orFAX602-967-8132.Forallothercountries,call+001-602-
967-3565 or FAX [phone].
If, after reading your manual, you still have questions regarding this product,
we recommend that you see your Rockford Fosgate dealer. If you need further
assistance, you can call us direct at 1-800-795-2385. Be sure to have your serial
number, model number and date of purchase available when you call.
The serial number can be found on the outside of the box. Please record it in
the space provided below as your permanent record. This will serve as
verificationofyourfactorywarrantyandmaybecomeusefulinrecoveringyour
amplifier if it is ever stolen.
Serial Number: ________________________________
Model Number:________________________________
PRACTICE SAFE SOUND™
CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS OVER
100dBMAY CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS. HIGH
POWERED AUTOSOUND SYSTEMS MAY PRODUCE SOUND
PRESSURE LEVELS WELL OVER 130dB. USE COMMON SENSE
AND PRACTICE SAFE SOUND.

a
d
v
a
n
c
e
d
O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................. 1
Accessory Pack ........................................................................................ 1
Technical Design Features ....................................................................... 1
5.3x Design Features................................................................................ 5
Installation Considerations ....................................................................... 7
Mounting Location................................................................................... 8
Battery and Charging................................................................................ 9
Wiring the System .................................................................................... 9
Using Passive Crossovers .......................................................................11
Table of Crossover Component Values................................................... 12
Using the XCard..................................................................................... 13
Customizing the XCard ..........................................................................13
Resistor Chart.........................................................................................14
XCard Access ......................................................................................... 15
Using the Signal Switching Network ...................................................... 16
5.3x Installation .....................................................................................24
System Diagrams....................................................................................28
Troubleshooting .....................................................................................32
Dynamic Power Measurements.............................................................. 35
Specifications.........................................................................................37
Warranty Information.............................................................................39
International Information........................................................................ 40
Sections marked
ADVANCED OPERATION
include in-depth
technical information
Sections marked
TROUBLESHOOTING
include recommendations
for curing
installation problems
Sections marked
INSTALLATION
include “slam dunk”
wiring connections
I
N
S
T
A
L
L
A
T
I
O
N
® ®
TROUBLE-S
H
O
O
T
I
N
G
Welcome to Rockford Fosgate! This manual is designed to provide
information for the owner, salesperson and installer. For those of you
who want quick information on how to install this product, please turn
to the Installation Section of this manual or refer to the icons listed
below.OtherinformationcanbelocatedbyusingtheTableofContents.
We, at Rockford Fosgate, have worked very hard to make sure all the
information in this manual is current. But, as we are constantly finding
newways to improve ourproduct,thisinformation is subject tochange
without notice.
G ETTING S TARTED

– 1 –
INTRODUCTION
TECHNICAL DESIGN FEATURES
TheRF5.3xisa5-channelamplifierwithfourstereochannelsandasingle
bridged/mono channel for accommodating “single amplifier” system
designsatacompetitiveprice.Sincethismanual providesinformationon
the features, installation and operation of the Rockford Fosgate 5.3x
amplifier, we suggest you save it for future reference.
We strongly recommend you have your Authorized Rockford Fosgate
Dealer install your new Rockford Fosgate amplifier. If you do choose to
install your amplifier yourself, please be sure to read the entire manual
before beginning.
ACCESSORY PACK
Installation & Operation Manual
(1) Fuseholder
(1) ATC 30 Amp Fuse
(1) 3/32" Allen Wrench
◆TRANS•ANA
(TRANSconductance Active Nodal Amplifier)
The TRANS•ANA (TRANSconductance Active Nodal Amplifier) is a
circuitthatallowstheaudiosignaltopassthroughtheamplifieratlow
voltage. The signal is directly level-shifted to the fixed high voltage
rails via a pair of driver transistors. Signal linearity is assured by an
active node formed by the drive transistors at ultrasonic frequencies.
This allows amplifier performance similar to trans• nova which is
highly stable and linear while utilizing the advantages of a non-
floating power supply.
THERESULT:Anextendedfrequencybandwidthaccuratelysupplied
to the output stages of the amplifier.

◆TOPAZ (Tracking Operation Pre-Amplifier Zone)
The TOPAZ (TrackingOperationPre-AmplifierZone) circuitrysolves
groundloopnoiseproblemscommontoautomotiveamplifierdesign.
Thisinnovativenewdevelopmentallowsvastlyimprovedisolationof
the input signal grounds from the power supply ground of the
amplifier.Thisisaccomplishedbyallowingthe sourceunitto control
the potential “environment” of the entire input structure or “zone” of
the amplifier. This process improves the noise rejection of the ampli-
fier by 30-40dB – an astounding 30-100 times better than amplifiers
without TOPAZ.
THERESULT:Eliminationoftroublesomegroundloopnoisebetween
source and amplifier.
– 2 –
◆MOSFET Devices
Rockford Fosgate is one of the few manufacturers in the sound
community to utilize MOSFET devices in both the power supply and
the output stages . MOSFET (MetalOxideSemiconductor Field Effect
Transistor) devices offer several important inherent advantages over
the 30 year old technology of bi-polar design. These advantages
include: thermal stability, switching speed, ultra low output imped-
ance and wider bandwidth linearity. In addition, MOSFETs operate
verysimilarly tovacuumtubes inwhichthey are morelinear than bi-
polartransistors.However,MOSFETscandeliverthemidrangeclarity
without the limitations of transient response and high frequency
phase shifting normally associated with tube operation.
THE RESULT: Operational characteristics similar to vacuum tubes
without the performance limitations of tube design.

– 3 –
◆DSM (Discrete Surface Mount) Technology
The DSM (Discrete Surface Mount) manufacturingprocesscombines
the advantages of both discrete components and integrated circuitry.
RockfordFosgateistheonlyAmericanamplifiermanufacturertohave
invested millions into this process. DSM components differ from
conventional discrete components in different ways. They are more
compact, more rugged, and they efficiently dissipate generated heat.
Using them wherever appropriate allows the advantages associated
with discrete circuitry to be retained while also providing room for
both highly advanced processing features and generous PC board
copper paths where needed. Their short lead-out structures allow
maximumaudioperformanceandhighestsignal-to-noiseratios tobe
obtained in amplifiers of desirable package size without resorting to
“amplifier-on-a-chip” shortcuts. These advantages are shown below
in Figure 1.
Figure 1
THE RESULT: Fewer connections, improved reliability, shorter signal
paths,superiorsignal-to-noiseratioandawesomesonicperformance.
Solder Solder
Component
Thru-Hole Surface Mount
PC
Board PC
Board
◆NOMAD (NOn-Multiplying Advanced Decision)
All Rockford Fosgate amplifiers use an analog computer process to
maximize safe output power under all operating conditions. The
innovative NOMAD (NOn-Multiplying Advanced Decision) system
isthemostsophisticatedversionofthistechniqueeverused,bringing
previously unavailable levels of accuracy, stability, temperature
immunity and reliability to this critical process. NOMAD makes
advanceddecisionsbasedondevicevoltagestopreciselycontrolthe
awesome levels of current available in the output MOSFETs to safe
values – but only when absolutely needed.
THE RESULT: Extremely fast protection system that always protects
the amplifier and never degrades the sound.

– 4 –
◆High Level Inputs
Thehighlevelinputs on the Rockford Fosgate amplifiers convert the
speaker line outputs (high level) to preamp line inputs (low level).
This allows amplifier compatibility with a variety of source units as
well as the ability to integrate into factory systems without the need
for external adapters.
THE RESULT: Allows compatibility with factory and aftermarket
source units.
◆XCard Crossover
The 5.3x amplifiers utilize internal active crossovers. These cross-
overs have many performance advantages such as using discrete
components for exact frequency adjustments which are far superior
to potentiometers. Additionally, the XCard can be configured for
high-pass, low-pass and full range operation. With slight modifica-
tion, many crossover frequencies and slope configurations can be
achieved.
THE RESULT: Increased system design flexibility with a precise
electronic crossover without the limitations of conventional poten-
tiometer designs.
◆Signal Switching Network
The Signal Switching Network allows the RCA input signals to be
distributed to the amplifier channels in many different configura-
tions. Among the many possible configurations, one setting uses a
singleRCA(Lmono)tofeedthesubwooferchannel,thussimplifying
connections needed.
THE RESULT: Allows input signals to be distributed to amplifier
channels in many different configurations.

– 5 –
5.3XDESIGN FEATURES
CAUTION!
Any adjustment to
the Bias controls may damage
your amplifier and will void
your warranty.
1 7 3 4 5
CAUTION!
Do Not Adjust
9
Bias
CAUTION!
Do Not Adjust
9
Bias
Bias
CAUTION!
Do Not Adjust
9
Bias
Bias
Bias
8
6
2

– 6 –
1. Dual Extruded Heatsinks
The dual extruded aluminum heatsinks of this RF amplifier
dissipate heat generated by the amplifier's circuitry.
2. Power/Speaker Barrier Strip
The barrier strip uses screw terminals that will accept #10 spade
lugs or bare speaker and power wire sizes from 10-18 AWG.
These gold-plated connectors are immune to corrosion that will
cause signal degradation.
3. RCA Input Jacks
The industry standard RCA jack provides an easy connection for
signal level input. They are gold-plated to resist the signal
degradation caused by corrosion.
4. High Level Inputs
The high level input connectors accept 1/8" spade lugs for the
connectionofasourceunitthathasonlyspeakerline(highlevel)
outputs.
5. Input Sensitivity Controls
The input level controls are preset for 500mV which will match
the output of most source units. They can be adjusted to match
output levels from a variety of source units.
6. Internal Crossovers
The built-in crossover cards are configurable for a multitude of
operating frequencies. The orientation of the card in its socket
determines its function of high-pass, low-pass or full range
operation.
7. LED Power Indicator
The LED gives a visual indication of the status of the amplifier,
lighting when the unit is turned on.
8. Signal Input Switches
These switches allow the input signals to be distributed to the
outputs in many different configurations.
9. Bias Controls
The Bias controls are preset at the factory and are not user
adjustable. CAUTION! ANY ADJUSTMENT TO THE BIAS
CONTROLS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY!

– 7 –
INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
Thefollowingisalistoftoolsyouwillneedforinstallingtheamplifier:
Wire Cutters #2 Phillips Screwdriver
Wire Strippers Assorted wire connectors
Wire Crimpers Battery Post Wrench
Voltmeter Electric Hand Drill with assorted bits
This section focuses on some of the vehicle considerations for
installing your new amplifier. Checking your battery and present
sound system, as well as pre-planning your system layout and best
wiringrouteswillsaveinstallationtime. Whendecidingonthelayout
of your new system, be sure that each component will be easily
accessible for making adjustments.
Beforebeginninganyinstallation,besuretofollowthesesimplerules:
1. Be sure to carefully read and understand the instructions before
attempting to install the amplifier.
2. For safety, disconnect the negative lead from the battery prior to
beginning the installation.
3. For easier assembly, we suggest you run all wires prior to
mounting your amplifier in place.
4. RoutealloftheRCAcablesclosetogetherandawayfromanyhigh
current wires.
5. Use high quality connectors for a reliable installation and to
minimize signal or power loss.
6. Thinkbeforeyoudrill! Becarefulnottocutordrillintogastanks,
fuel lines, brake or hydraulic lines, vacuum lines or electrical
wiring when working on any vehicle.
7. Neverrunwiresunderneaththevehicle. Runningthewiresinside
the vehicle provides the best protection.
8. Avoid running wires over or through sharp edges. Use rubber or
plastic grommets to protect any wires routed through metal,
especially the firewall.
9. ALWAYS protect the battery and electrical system from damage
with proper fusing. Install a fuseholder and appropriate fuse on
the+12Vpowerwirewithin18”(45.7cm)ofthebatteryterminal.
10. When grounding to the chassis of the vehicle, scrape all paint
from the metal to ensure a good, clean ground connection.
Groundingconnectionsshouldbeasshortaspossibleandalways
beconnectedtometalthatisweldedtothemainbody,orchassis,
of the vehicle.