JL Audio M-Series M4300 Owner's Manual page 3

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The JL Audio M4300 is a four-channel,
full-range audio amplifier utilizing patented
Absolute Symmetry™ Class A/B technology
for all channels.
The M4300 can be operated with a wide
variety of source units and system configurations.
TYPICAL INSTALLATION SEQUENCE
The following represents the sequence for a
typical amplifier installation, using an aftermarket
source unit. Additional steps and different
procedures may be required in some applications.
If you have any questions, please contact your
authorized JL Audio dealer for assistance.
1) Disconnect the negative battery post
connection and secure the disconnected cable
to prevent accidental re-connection during
installation. This step is not optional!
2) Run positive and negative power wire
(minimum 8 AWG) from from the battery
location to the amplifier mounting location,
taking care to route it in such a way that it
will not be damaged and will not interfere
with vessel operation. Use 4 AWG or larger
power wire and a power distribution block
if additional amplifiers are being installed
with the M4300.
3) Connect power wire to the positive battery
post. Fuse the wire with an appropriate fuse
block (and connectors) within 18 inches (45
cm) wire length of the positive battery post.
This fuse is essential to protect the vessel.
Do not install the fuse until the power wire
has been connected to the amplifier.
4) Connect negative power wire to the negative
battery post. Use the same size power
wire as the wire connected to the "+12V"
connection (minimum 8 AWG).
5) Run signal cables and remote turn-on wire
from the source unit to the amplifier
mounting location.
6) Run speaker wire from the speaker system
to the amplifier mounting location.
7) Securely mount the amplifier using the
supplied screws.
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8) Connect the positive and negative power
wires to the amplifier. A fuse near the
amplifier is not necessary.
9) Connect the remote turn-on wire to
the amplifier.
10) Connect the input cables to the amplifier.
11) Connect the speaker wires to the amplifier.
12) Carefully review the amplifier's control
settings to make sure that they are set
according to the needs of the system.
13) Install power wire fuse (40A for a single
M4300) and reconnect the negative
battery post terminal.
14) Turn on the source unit at a low level
to double-check that the amplifier is
configured correctly. Resist the temptation
to crank it up until you have verified the
control settings.
15) Make necessary adjustments to the input
sensitivity controls to obtain the right
overall output and the desired balance in the
system. See Appendix A (page 12)
for the recommended input sensitivity
setting method.
16) Enjoy the fruits of your labor with your
favorite music.
POWER CONNECTIONS
Before installing the amplifier, disconnect the
negative (ground) wire from the vessel's battery.
This will prevent accidental damage to the system,
the vessel and your body during installation.
JL AUDIO M4300
The M4300's "+12 VDC" and "Ground"
connections are designed to accept 8 AWG -
4 AWG power wire. 8 AWG is a minimum power
wire size for this amplifier.
If you are installing the M4300 with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 4 AWG or larger main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of all
the amplifiers in the system). This 4 AWG or
larger power wire should terminate into a
distribution block mounted as close to the
amplifiers as possible and should connect to the
M4300 with 8 AWG - 4 AWG power wire.
Note: Smaller AWG numbers mean bigger wire
and vice-versa (1/0 AWG is the largest, 2 AWG is
smaller, then 4 AWG, then 8 AWG, etc.).
To connect the power wires to the amplifier,
first back out the set screw on the top of the
terminal block, using the supplied 2.5 mm hex
wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12 mm) of insulation from
the end of each wire and insert the bare wire into
the terminal block, seating it firmly so that no
bare wire is exposed. While holding the wire in
place, tighten the set screw firmly, taking care not
to strip the head of the screw.
The ground connection should be made using
the same gauge wire as the power connection.
Any wires run through barriers must be
protected with a high quality rubber grommet
to prevent damage to the insulation of the wire.
Failure to do so may result in a dangerous short
circuit.
Many vessels employ small (10 AWG - 6 AWG)
wire to connect the alternator's positive
connection to the battery. To prevent voltage
drops, this wire should be upgraded to 4 AWG
when installing amplifier systems with main
fuse ratings above 60A.
JL AUDIO M4300
It is common for the alternator to be grounded
through its chassis. If the alternator is not
grounded through its chassis and instead employs
a small (10 AWG - 6 AWG) wire to connect to
ground, this wire should also be upgraded to 4
AWG when installing amplifier systems with main
fuse ratings above 60A.
FUSE REQUIREMENTS
It is absolutely vital that the main power
wire(s) to the amplifier(s) in the system be
fused within 18 inches (45 cm) of the positive
battery post connection. The fuse value at each
power wire should be high enough for all of the
equipment being run from that power wire. If
only the A4300 is being run from that power wire,
we recommend a 40A fuse be used. AFS (mini
blade fuse), AGU (big glass fuse) or MaxiFuse™
(big plastic-body fuse) types are recommended.
No fuse is required or recommended directly
before the amplifier power connection. If one is
desired, we recommend the use of a 40A fuse.
TURN-ON LEAD
The M4300 uses a conventional +12V remote
turn-on lead, typically controlled by the source
unit's remote turn-on output. The amplifier will
turn on when +12V is present at its Remote
" "
input and turn off when +12V is switched off. If
a source unit does not have a dedicated remote
turn-on output, the amplifier's turn-on lead can
be connected to +12V via a switch that derives
power from an ignition-switched circuit.
The M4300's Remote turn-on connector is
" "
designed to accept 18 AWG – 12 AWG wire. To
connect the remote turn-on wire to the amplifier,
first back out the set screw on the top of the
terminal block, using the supplied 2.5mm hex
wrench. Strip 1/2 inch (12mm) of wire and insert
the bare wire into the terminal block, seating it
firmly so that no bare wire is exposed. While
holding the wire in the terminal, tighten the set
screw firmly, taking care not to strip the head of
the screw and making sure that the wire (not the
insulation) is firmly gripped by the set screw.
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