PS40 Owner's Manual

4-Channel IP65 ATV/UTV/Motorcycle Micro Amp w/Wireless Streaming

Important Safety Instructions

• To reduce risk of electric shock, never open the unit. There are no user serviceable parts, refer service to the Rockville service center.

• Please ensure that the unit is situated in a properly ventilated area.

Wiring

1. Rear Left (white) and Rear Right (red) inputs (Ch3-4)

2. Front Left (white) and Front Right (red) inputs (Ch1-2)

3. Remote turn-on cable (blue)

4. Ground cable (black)

5. Power cable with in-line fuse (+12V, red)

6. Front Left negative (white w/black stripe) and Front Left positive (white) speaker output cables (Ch1)

7. Front Right negative (grey w/black stripe) and Front Right positive (grey) speaker output cables (Ch2)

8. Rear Left negative (green w/black stripe) and Rear Left positive (green) speaker output cables (Ch3)

9. Rear Right negative (purple w/black stripe) and Rear Right positive (purple) speaker output cables (Ch4)

Power Connections

1. Make sure to disconnect the NEGATIVE (-) terminal from your vehicle's battery.

2. Attach a 10-gauge or heavier wire to the black cable from the harness marked GND. The connection should be as close to the amp as possible. The wire should terminate in a ring connector. Connect the ring connector to a metal part of the vehicle's chassis, making sure that there is no paint or other insulator blocking a good ground connection. If needed, you can connect to the battery's negative terminal.

3. Attach a 10-gauge or heavier wire to the red cable from the harness marked +12V to the battery's POSITIVE (+) terminal. The power wire should terminate in a ring terminal connected directly to the POSITIVE (+) terminal.

4. Connect the blue remote wire to the head unit's remote output using 18-gauge or heavier wire. This connection is responsible for turning the amplifier on and off with the rest of the system. Should your head unit not have any turn-on leads, you can wire the remote terminal to an accessory lead, which turns the amplifier on with your vehicle's ignition.

Please note, it is a good practice to feel the power and ground wires near the amplifier after using the amp for a while. If the wires feel hot to the touch, you probably have a bad or loose connection. If after adjusting your connections the wires still feel hot, you should upgrade to the next heaviest gauge wire. As connections can work loose due to vehicle vibrations, we recommend periodically tightening all power and ground connections.

Input Configurations

4-Channel Input

Connect your head unit's RCA outputs to the amplifier's Front (Channel 1-2) and Rear (Channel 3-4) Left/Right RCA input jacks. Make sure to run the RCA cables SEPARATE from your power, remote, and ground cables. This will avoid unwanted noise and interference.

High Level Inputs

Many factory radios do not have preamp outputs; thus, the PS40 has High Level input capability. Also referred to as Speaker Level inputs, High Level inputs allow you to connect to the factory speaker wires. They are called High Level inputs because they convert the high voltage running through factory speaker wires to one the amplifier can handle. These inputs will provide the end user with clean, well-defined sound for optimal musical enjoyment. PLEASE NOTE: The High Level inputs also feature Auto-Start Smart Turn-On. This function senses when there is a signal from the head unit and automatically turns on the amplifier; hence, no need to run a Remote Turn-On wire.

Output Configurations

Install any combination of component or coaxial speakers independently on channels 1-4, being careful not to load any single channel below 2-ohm. For typical 6"x9" or 6.5" or component or coaxial speaker installs, set the X-OVER mode switches to full range (FULL) (a) or HPF depending on your setup and what speakers you are using.

4-Channel Amp in 2-Channel Bridged Mode

Channels 1-2 and Channels 3-4 should be bridged as per the diagram. Wire one woofer to Channel 1's positive (+) terminal and Channel 2's negative (-) terminal. Wire one woofer to Channel 3's positive (+) terminal and Channel 4's negative (-) terminal. Set the crossover switches to LPF (a) if using subwoofers.

4-Channel Amp in 3-Channel Mode

Channels 1 and 2 should be wired to component or coaxial speakers with no lower than 2-ohm load per channel in stereo. Channels 3 and 4 should be bridged as per the diagram, wiring the woofer to Channel 3's positive (+) wire and Channel 4's negative (-) wire. Set the Channel 3-4 Crossover Mode Switch for the front (Channels 1-2) to FULL range (a) and switch for the rear (Channels 3-4) to LPF (b).

Adjusting the System

1. Once the system is setup, set all crossover points to the approximate settings. In the case of a basic full range system, set the Full Range (FULL) or High Pass (HPF) crossover at 100Hz or so. Turn the controls using a small flathead screwdriver. Do not apply any pressure while turning as this might break the control unit. In the case of a basic subwoofer system, set the Low Pass (LPF) crossover at 100Hz or so. As mentioned before, turn the controls using a small flathead screwdriver, being careful to not apply too much pressure.

2. Set the amplifier's Input Sensitivity using the control accessible on the side of the amplifier marked LEVEL (gain). Turn it counterclockwise to the MIN position. Adjust your head unit's volume gain to the maximum it can go before signal distorts or to the loudest gain, which is usually about 75%-85% on most head units (you can also use an oscilloscope to see at what gain level your head unit distorts). When you begin to hear distortion, back down one notch. Now turn the LEVEL control on the amp clockwise until you hear distortion, then turn it counterclockwise by a notch or until the distortion is gone. The amp's input sensitivity is now set. It is helpful to have a second person to help you set the gain. When setting up a multi-amp system, set each amplifier's level controls separately. Start off with the bass amplifier, then adjust the highs amplifier's level control to match. Please note that the level control of any vehicle's amplifier should not be mistaken for a volume control. It is a sophisticated device designed to match the output level of your source unit to the input level of the amplifier. Do not adjust the amplifier level to maximum unless your input level requires it. Your system can also be extremely sensitive to noise when the input level is set to maximum and does not match your input signal. These adjustments need to be made only once when first setting up the system.

3. Once you are satisfied with the level control settings, use any equalizer controls to adjust the system's tonal level for personal preference. Keep in mind that after equalizing you may have to go back and reset the amplifier's level controls. If your unit has been professionally installed please do not change the gain settings set by the installer, he or she is the professional!

Features

Wireless Streaming

When the unit powers up, the wireless streaming LED indicator (located on the left side of harness) will begin to flash indicating that it is in pairing mode. Look for and select PS40 from your device's list of available wireless streaming devices.

If pairing is successful, the LED indicator will remain solid blue. Please note, a wireless streaming connection will override RCA input. If you wish to return to RCA input, you will need to end the connection via your device.

Bass EQ

The bass EQ allows you to add 3dB or 6dB of bass boost. Utilize the equalizer to tailor bass response to your system's needs. Make sure your speakers can handle the extra power output.

Frequency Control

The frequency knob allows you to set the frequency range of the selected X-OVER setting. For example, if your X-OVER is set to LPF, you can set the knob to 150Hz, which will keep your speakers from playing any frequencies below 150Hz.

Status LED

This model features one LED (located on the right side of the harness) that provides indication of the amplifier's status. The LED will light green when the amplifier is receiving proper power, ground, and remote voltages. In case the amplifier encounters a diagnostic condition as listed below, the LED will light red indicating a diagnostic condition. When a diagnostic condition is sensed, the amplifier will then turn into self-preservation mode and if the cause of the diagnostic condition is not corrected will eventually shut down.

Thermal Protection: When the amplifier reaches an unsafe operating temperature of 80 degrees Celsius, the amplifier will turn off. Once the amplifier cools down to a safe temperature, it will automatically turn on again. If you live in a hot climate, we suggest installing additional cooling fans to exhaust the hot air which can build in an enclosed space. This will help keep the ambient temperature as low as possible so that your amps work flawlessly and without any musical interruption.

Speaker Short Circuit Protection: Should your speakers short circuit due to voice coil burn out, or should the amplifier sense an impedance too low to handle, the protection LED will light red, indicating a diagnostic condition. Turn off your system, disconnect one speaker at a time, and try to determine which speaker might be faulty. Correct the condition and restart the amplifier. You must reset the amplifier by turning it OFF and then ON again by the Remote power connection after correcting a diagnostic condition. (Turn your radio off and then on again.)

Input Overload Protection: This circuit will either shut down the amplifier completely or make the amplifier spurt on and off indicating that it is in a diagnostic condition. Turn the system off and reduce the gain on the amplifier or volume from your head unit. This should result in a corrected condition.

DC Offset Protection: Should any DC voltage try to enter the amplifier via the speaker terminals it will cause the amplifier to shut down and not operate until this condition is remedied. This circuit will also protect damaging high DC voltages from reaching your speakers should your amplifier ever malfunction.

PLEASE NOTE: You must reset the amplifier by turning it OFF and then ON again after correcting a diagnostic condition (turn your radio off and then on again). If the amplifier stays in protection after a reset, it is most likely faulty.

Additional Features

• Built-in Wireless Streaming with Auto Pairing (You can run this amp without any receiver)

• IP65 waterproof rating

• Waterproof silicone covers on all inputs and control panel

• Conformal coated circuit board

• Anti-rust materials

• Micro Size amplifier can easily fit in tight spaces making it perfect for Motorcycles, UTV, ATV, etc

• Digital Class D Audio Topology

• Independent Crossover Controls for Front R/L (CH1-2) and Rear L/R (CH3-4)

• Full Range/Low Pass/High Pass Crossover

• RCA Low level inputs and High Level Inputs (with Auto ON)

• Waterproof RCA Input

• High-Speed MOSFET Power supply

• Status mode LED Indicator

• Wireless Streaming mode LED indicator

Specifications

• Dyno Certified RMS Power Ratings (Certified Dyno Test / Less than 1% THD) (Use these ratings when comparing with top premium brands):

  2 Ohms: 340 Watts (4 x 85 Watts)

  4 Ohms: 200 Watts (4 x 50 Watts)

  4 Ohm Bridged: 340w (2 x 170 Watts)

• Peak (Use these ratings when comparing with the top budget brands such as Boss, Power Acoustik, etc):

  Peak 2 Ohms: 1350 Watts

• Variable LPF/HPF Crossover: 50Hz - 250Hz

• Selectable 0/3/6dB Bass Equalizer

• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz

• Signal to Noise Ratio: (1 Watt into 4 Ohms) ≥75dB

• Input Sensitivity: 0.5V-15V

• Distortion (THD): ≤0.5%

• Stereo Separation: ≥45dB

• Fuse Rating: 30A

• Dimensions (Inches): 7.56 L x 3.66 W x 2.07 H

Troubleshooting