Zero ZA400 User manual

Mounting Guidelines
Your ZERO amplier is designed with a swift installation routine in mind. Please mount the amplier in a dry
location on a solid surface. NEVER mount the amplier upside down, this will cause the amplier to over
heat and will eventually damage the amplier. Before xing the amplier in place please ensure that there is
sufcient air ow around the exterior of the casing, at least two inches is sufcient
Power Connections
Power / Ground Cable
● A minimum of 10 gauge cable should be used for both the power and the ground connections to the
amplier.
● The power cable should be taken directly from the battery. Rubber grommets should be used
when passing through any bulkheads to prevent the cable from becoming chaffed or cut.
● The correct size of fuse must be tted within 18” of the battery and before the cable passes through the
bulk head
● It is vital that a fuse / circuit breaker (of at least equal value to the one tted on the amplier) is placed
inline with the power cable and is no further than eighteen inches away from the battery.
● Please ensure that the fuse is not tted until the entire installation procedure is complete.
● The amplier ground should be connected directly to the chassis of the vehicle, to bare metal.
● The cable length should be kept to an absolute minimum.
● It is not recommended that you connect the ground cable to the vehicles seat belts anchor point.
Remote Turn On
● A minimum of 18 gauge cable should be used for this connection.
● The cable should be run with exactly the same care and attention as the power cable and taken back to
the source (headunit) and joined to the remote cable provided.
● If the source (headunit) does not have a remote turn on cable then a 12v supply should be used. This
will require a switch to be tted inline to enable the amplier to be turned on and off. Remember that if
this switch is left on you will atten the car battery.
RCA Cables
● Depending on the model number of your amplier and the number of speakers you wish to power you will
have to run either one or two RCA cables from the source to the amplier.
● Please take extra care when running these cables from the source to the amplier. Ensure that they are
placed away from all items that can generate any interference, wiring harnesses etc.
● It is recommended that the RCA cables should be run on opposite sides of the car to the
previously installed power cables if possible, to avoid the cable picking up interference.
Terminals and Controls ZA400
12578
346
910 11
1. Low Level Output
A daisy chain output For connection to another amplier with a low level input using only a single RCA output
from the source (headunit).
2. Low Level Input
For connection to any source (headunit) with a low level output. This is your RCA output from the source
(headunit)
3. Gain Control
Used to match the input signal of the source to the amplier. See the setup section for more details.
4. Bass Boost Switch
To provide up to an extra +12 dB of bass boost at 45 Hz. Use this boost to increase bass output from the
amplier.
5. Low Pass Crossover Control
The control is used to select the low pass lter frequency. The frequency ranges are from 50 Hz to 250 Hz.
6. Crossover Control Switch
This switch is used to select high pass (HPF), low pass (LPF) or at (no crossover) operation for the
amplier speaker outputs.
7. High Pass Crossover Control
The control is used to select the High pass lter frequency. The frequency ranges are from 120 Hz to 3KHz.
8. Indicator LED
When the amplier is operating correctly the LED will show as green. When the amplier is in protection
mode the LED will show as red.
9. Speaker Terminal Output
For connection to the speakers. See Application section for wiring examples.
10. Fuses
Please ensure the following fuse rating is used when replacing fuses: 25 amp x 1
11. Power Connections
Power connections. See Connections section for details on correct connections.

Set Up Section
To correctly set the gain control of the amplier to match that of the source (headunit) use the following
setup routine:
Turn the gain control to minimum on the amplier.
Ensure the bass boost is set to 0 dB.
On the headunit set all crossovers to at and both bass and treble to zero.
Turn up the source (headunit) to approx 3/4 volume.
Very slowly turn up the gain on the amplier until distortion can be heard in any of the speakers or until
the volume reaches an uncomfortable listening level when this is reached turn down the gain control
slightly.
The gain control is now set.
The setting of the crossover will depend on what kind of speaker you are installing.
For a subwoofer it is recommended that the crossover is set to Low Pass and the frequency is set to
match that of the speakers specications.
For a pair of full range speakers it is recommend that the crossover is set to Flat. The two frequency
controls will then have no effect on the ampliers output and the speaker will receive a full range signal.
However, using the high pass crossovers will allow more control of your speakers. By removing the
bass (low frequencies) the speakers can perform at higher volumes with less distortion.
Note: The smaller the speaker, the less bass it can handle. Adjust the crossover to get the most and
best sound from your speakers. The easiest was to do this is by limiting the amount of bass you feed
them
For a pair of speakers with a passive crossover it is recommended that the crossover is set to High
Pass and the frequency is set to match that of the speakers specications.
Note:
By using the crossovers correctly you will not only lengthen the life of your speakers but you will also
get better performance from them. To optimise your setup seek the advice of a professional installation
engineer or visit your local ZERO audio dealer.
Troubleshooting
● Before removing the amplier, refer to the list below and follow the suggested procedures.
● Always test the speakers and conrm that they are wired correctly rst.
● If in any doubt get help from a qualied auto electrician.
Amplier Will Not Power Up
● Check for good ground connections. Ensure Ground cable is connected directly to bare metal and
not a painted surface.
● Using a multimeter check that remote terminal has at least 10V DC.
● Using a multi meter check that there is battery voltage on the positive terminal.
● Check all fuses.
● Check that the protection light is not illuminated. If it is lit, shut off the amplier for thirty seconds and
then turn it back on
Protection LED Illuminates When Amplier Is Powered Up
● Check for shorts on all speakers wires. (IE no speaker wires should be joined together and no speaker wires
should be touching the cars chassis)
● The amplier is designed to shut down automatically when the units temperature goes above 80 degrees. If
the amplier feels very hot then this may be the reason for theamplier not starting.
● Remove the speaker wires and reset the amplier. If the protection LED still comes on then the amplier is
faulty. This damage may have been caused by either failure to follow these setup guidelines or abuse.
Amplier Gets Very Hot
● Check the minimum speaker impedance for the amplier is correct.
● Check for shorts on all speakers wires. (IE no speaker wires should be joined together and no speaker wires
should be touching the cars chassis)
● Check that there is good airow around the amplier. In some applications an external fan may be required.
Blown Fuse(s)
● Check both positive supply and ground for shorts.
● Check that the positive wire is connected to the positive terminal on the amplier.
● Check that the negative wire is connected to the ground terminal on the amplier.
● Ensure that the correct rated fuse is tted
Distorted Sound
● Check the gain control is not set at too high a level. If the speakers sound distorted turn the down the gain
until the sound is clear.
● Check that all crossover frequencies are correct. See setup section for more details.
● Check for shorts on all speaker wires.
● Check all speakers are wired correctly. With the correct polarity being observed on each connection.
+
-
+
-
+
-
ZA400 in 2 channel conguration connected to a pair of ZX9 speakers
ZA400 in bridged conguration connected to a ZW12 subwoofer
Minimum impedance 2 Ohms
Minimum impedance 4 Ohms
Applications

Limited Warranty
All ZERO goods are covered by a full 12 months manufacturers warranty. Valid from the date of the original receipt
and proof of purchase. In order to validate this warranty, the warranty card should be returned to ZERO within seven
days of the original purchase date. The original receipt and packaging should also be kept for this 12 month period.
If at any stage during the warranty period you have a problem with the product then it should be returned to the point of
purchase in its original packaging, complete and with no items missing.
If the store is unable to x the product it may have to be returned to ZERO this process takes around 7 working days.
A full description of ZERO’s warranty information can be found on our website:
www.zeroaudio.co.uk/warranty
A written version can also be obtained from
ZERO warranty department
PO Box 11000
B75 7WG
Copyright
All content included in this manual such as text, graphics, logos, icons, images data, the selection and arrangement thereof, are the
property of ZERO Audio (herein referred to as “ZERO”, “us” or “we”) and its afliate or their content and technology providers,
and are protected by United Kingdom and International copyright laws. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
ZERO’s trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not ZERO’s, in any manner
that is likely to cause confusion among customers or in any manner that disparages or discredits ZERO. All other trademarks not
owned by ZERO or its subsidiaries that appear in this manual are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be
afliated with, connected to, or sponsored by ZERO or its subsidiaries.
We reserve the right to make needed changes or improvements to the produc and this manual , without informing the customer about
this in advance
This instruction manual is for your safety and must be adhered to at all times. Please read
and ensure that you fully understand the installation and set up procedures as explained.
If you are unclear on the installation or set up of your ZERO Ampliers please contact your
nearest authorised ZERO dealer.
WARNING
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO DAMP OR MOISTURE - doing so may result in re, shock or damage to the
product.
BEFORE WIRING DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL - failure to do so may result
in electric shock or injury.
ENSURE GOOD AND CORRECT CONNECTIONS - failure to make the correct connections may result in re or damage
to the product.
DO NOT USE ANY FUNCTIONS OF THIS EQUIPMENT THAT MAY TAKE YOUR CONCENTRATION AWAY FROM
DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE - do not set up your amplier whilst driving, doing so may result in an accident. For prolonged
setting up, make sure that your vehicle is stationary and in a safe location.
KEEP THE VOLUME AT A LEVEL SO YOU CAN STILL HEAR OUTSIDE NOISE - failure to do this may result in an
accident. ZERO equipment is capable of producing sound levels that can permanently damage your hearing. ZERO
recommends caution when listening at high volume. For safe and enjoyable listening the sound should be comfortable
and clear without distortion.
CAUTION
Never connect any speaker lead to the car chassis. This can cause severe damage to your speaker /car radio /amplier.
Before drilling or cutting any holes, investigate the layout of your vehicle thoroughly.
Use caution when working near the fuel / hydraulic lines and electrical wiring.
Observe the correct polarity when wiring, improper phasing may cause a loss of bass response.
Ensure that no moving parts catch on the speaker or grill (e.g. window or door handles, or window glass inside the door)
.