DS18 GEN-X Series, GEN-X G1800.1D, GEN-X G3600.1D, GEN-X G700.2D Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the DS18 GEN-X series amplifier! Your choice indicates a desire for high-quality music reproduction in your vehicle. DS18 amplifiers bring decades of car audio expertise to you. So, whether you are a daily-driving music lover or a serious car audio competitor, DS18 has the product for you!

To take full advantage of the new gear you have purchased, please read and follow the instructions in this manual. As with all our products, professional installation by an authorized DS18 dealer is highly recommended. Otherwise, the performance of your new gear may not be satisfactory. If you decide to perform the installation yourself, please read and follow this manual carefully. Failure to do so may compromise the integrity of this product, your vehicle, and potentially void your warranty.

FEATURES

• Compact size for easy installation
• Variable full crossover filters: LPF / FULL / HPF (G1000.4D, G1800.4D, G700.2D, G3600.4D, G8400.4D, G4000.5D,G3600.6D)
• Remote level knob control with Clip / Power / Protection LED Indicator (G1800.1D, G3600.1D,G4000.5D,G3600.6D)
• Hi-level input compatibility (G1000.4D, G1800.1D, G3600.1D)
• Surface mount component technology
• Quality control verification using Audio Precision Instruments
• Stable & reliable digital circuit design• Power, protection and clipping LED lights status indicator
• Short circuit thermal, DC offset, and High and Low voltage protection

G700.2D

G1000.4D / G1800.4D / G3600.4D / G8400.4D

G4000.5D

G3600.6D

1. Remote Level Control Connection
   Connect the remote level control to this terminal. The remote level control allows adjustment of the subwoofer level from a remote location in the vehicle.
2. LPF/HPF Crossover
   Adjust the frequency setting of the low-pass or high-pass crossover. For LPF, frequencies higher than the setting will be filtered out of the audio signal; for HPF, frequencies lower than the setting will be filtered out of the audio signal.
3. Subsonic CrossoverAdjust the frequency setting of the subsonic crossover. The frequency range is 10Hz - 50Hz. Frequencies lower than the setting will be filtered out of the audio signal.
4. Power Protection Indicator LED
   When the amplifier is on and in proper working condition, the green LED will illuminate. Refer to the Troubleshooting Guide for possible solutions if the amplifier will not power on. lf the amplifier activates its protection mode, the red LED will illuminate. Refer to the troubleshooting guide for possible solutions if the amplifier activates its protection mode.
5. Level Sensitivity
   Adjust the amplifier's pre-amp sensitivity level. The minimum sensitivity level is 250mv, while the maximum level is 6V.
6. RCA Audio Input Connection
   Using high-quality shielded stereo RCA cables, connect the source signal to the amplifier RCA inputs.
7. High-Level Input
   Connect the speaker outputs from the head unit to the high-level input if RCA outputs are not available. NEVER use high-level and RCA inputs at the same time.
8. Bass Boost
   Adjust the amplifier's 45Hz Bass Boost level up to 12dB.
9. Crossover Selection Switch
   Choose high-pass crossover, low-pass crossover, or full-range operation.
10. Clipping
    Clipping usually happens because the gain is set too high in an attempt to maximize the amp's output potential. When the gain is set too high for the application, the amp will produce a squared or clipped sound wave, and both the amp and the connected speakers will generate a large amount of heat while trying to reproduce the clipped signal. This can result in catastrophic damage to your equipment.

Follow these simple steps to avoid problems with your system: Once your amp is set up, watch the CLIP indicator light. If you see the light blinking, turn the gain down. When the CLIP indicator turns off, you're no longer clipping. Our clipping indicator is as accurate as an oscilloscope and gives you the ability to monitor the dynamic source material we call music in real time.

TIPS: If you set your gains with an oscilloscope, it's all good until some factor in your system changes. This change could be in head unit volume, charging system voltage, source recording level, etc. If any of these factors change from when you initially set your gains, the amplifier's clipping point will change as well.

11. Input Mode (G4000.5D)
    When the switch is on "5CH", there will only be output in the channel that has input.
    When the switch is in the "4CH" position, CH5 will receive output from CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4. These channels will have input separately.
    When the switch is in the "2CH" position, CH1, CH3, and CH5 can receive output from the CH1 input. CH2, CH4, and CH5 can receive output from the CH2 input. Therefore, if there is input in CH1 and CH2, output will be sent to all five channels.
12. Input Mode (G3600.6D)
    When the switch is on "6CH", there will be output only in the channel that has input.
    When the switch is on "4CH", CH5 and CH6 will take output from CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4. These channels will have input separately.
    When the switch is on "2CH", CH1, CH3, and CH5 can take output from the CH1 input, while CH2, CH4, and CH6 can take output from the CH2 input. So, if there is input in CH1 and CH2, there will be output in all 6 channels.

SETTING THE GAINS

It is a fact that very few people, including professional installers, know how to set gains correctly. Failure to do so yields higher distortion, a higher noise floor which decreases dynamic headroom, less than optimum operating conditions for electronic equipment, and a higher failure rate for both the electronic equipment and transducers alike.

While most people set this control by ear based on how loud they want their music, this is not the intent of the control. The range is from 0.25 volts to 6 volts. The control is meant for matching the output of the source unit's signal voltage. For example, if you have a source unit with low output voltage, you would probably set the control fairly high, towards the 0.25V range. A lot of head units have 4 volts of output signal voltage, which means that your control would be set midway through the range. If you happen to have a line driver (signal booster) that yields 6 volts or more, you will set the gain at the minimum position, towards the 6V range.

In all these examples, when properly level-matched, the amplifier will output the full volume. Setting the control above the proper point may cause damage to the amplifier and speakers, and can result in poor sound quality and overall undesirable results.

BASS BOOST CONTROL

The monoblock amplifiers feature a variable bass boost control centered at 45Hz. You can adjust the amount of boost from 0dB to 12dB.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE WITH BASS BOOST ON

Choosing the best mounting location for your amplifier is crucial. The amplifier should not be mounted to any wood, metal, or carpeted surface. The heatsink can be mounted directly to the chassis of the car, or isolated for best performance. It needs proper ventilation, so avoid mounting the amplifier under seats, in the engine bay, or in any other area where moisture might accumulate. Be sure the mounting screws do not penetrate the fuel tank, brake lines, or any other crucial fluid lines.

Never mount the amplifier to a subwoofer enclosure, as excessive vibrations can cause damage.

• Avoid placing wires near hot or moving objects
• Always use wire grommets when routing wire through the firewall or any other metal surfaces.
• Avoid the potential for damaged wires by routing all wires away from moving hinges, seats, brake & gas pedals, hood and trunk hinges, etc.

POWER CONNECTIONS

It is important to have good quality power and ground connections. Remember, to complete an electrical circuit, the ground connection is just as important as the positive power connection. Before any power connections are made, disconnect the ground cable of the battery. Use 4 gauge or larger automotive grade wire if the distance from the battery to the amplifier is excessive. Avoid sharp or rough edges as a safeguard against short-circuiting and potential fire hazards.

GND = Connect the proper gauge ground wire to the amplifier's GND terminal. Locate the position on the chassis of the car where the amplifier will be grounded. Use solder or a crimped ring terminal to connect the ground wire. Pre-drill the prepped chassis to bolt the ground ring terminal with a nut, bolt, and lock washer to insulate the metal and the connector with paint or silicone to prevent rust and oxidation. Silicone also works great to prevent nuts and bolts from working loose in the harsh environments of an automobile. Upon completion of the ground connection, grab the wire end connector to confirm the connection is solid. To prevent engine noise, it is recommended to ground the head unit and other electronic audio devices in the same location.

REM = Connect the remote wire (power antenna output) from the head unit to the REM terminal. If the head unit is not equipped with a remote/antenna output, locate a wire that is controlled by the accessory position of the key. It is important to have the amplifier turn off with the radio or key. If the amplifier remains on, the battery will drain.

12V = Connect the proper gauge power wire to the B+ terminal. Trace the power wire through the car to the in-line fuse or circuit breaker that is no more than 18" from the battery. Remember, the in-line fuse or circuit breaker protects the car in the event of a short circuit. Connect the in-line fuse or circuit breaker to the battery, but do not install the fuse or activate the circuit breaker yet.

G1800.1D / G3600.1D

G700.2D

G3600.5D

G3600.6D

HIGH LEVEL INPUT CONNECTIONS

The high-level inputs are for use with speaker-level wiring. Most factory source units do not have RCA outputs. Use this connection if your source unit does not have RCA outputs.

Never use the high and low-level inputs at the same time!

SPEAKER OUT CONNECTIONS

G1800.1D / G3600.1D

Mono block speaker connection

G700.2D

2 Channels Speaker Connection

4 Channels speaker connection

G4000.5

5 Channels speaker connection

G3600.6D

6 Channels speaker connection

MONOBLOCK CLASS D AMPLIFIER

MULTICHANNEL CLASS D AMPLIFIER

CLASS D STEREO 4 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER

MULTICHANNEL CLASS D AMPLIFIER

MULTICHANNEL CLASS D AMPLIFIER

TROUBLESHOOTING