JL Audio M500/3 Owner's Manual
5
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.
This will prevent accidental damage to the system,
the vessel and your body during installation.
INP
(L)
(R)
CH. 1&
+12 VDC
Ground
Remote
The M500/3’s “+12 VDC” and “Ground”
connections are designed to accept 4 AWG
power wire. 4 AWG is the required wire size for
this amplifier.
power wire. 4 AWG is the required wire size for
this amplifier.
If you are installing the M500/3 with other
amplifiers and wish to use a single main power
wire, use 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of all
the amplifiers in the system). This large power
wire should terminate into a fused distribution
block mounted as close to the amplifiers as
possible (within 12 inches / 30cm of wire length).
The fused output of the distribution block will
connect to the M500/3 with 4 AWG power wire.
+-"VEJP&$4GVTFEEJTUSJCVUJPOCMPDLTBSF
recommended (XD-FDBU-2 and XD-FDBU-4)
wire, use 2 AWG or 1/0 AWG main power wire
(depending on the overall current demands of all
the amplifiers in the system). This large power
wire should terminate into a fused distribution
block mounted as close to the amplifiers as
possible (within 12 inches / 30cm of wire length).
The fused output of the distribution block will
connect to the M500/3 with 4 AWG power wire.
+-"VEJP&$4GVTFEEJTUSJCVUJPOCMPDLTBSF
recommended (XD-FDBU-2 and XD-FDBU-4)
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.).
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 and making sure
that the wire (not the insulation) is firmly gripped
by the wire clamp in the terminal.
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 and making sure
that the wire (not the insulation) is firmly gripped
by the wire clamp in the terminal.
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.
grommet to prevent damage to the
insulation of the wire. Failure to do so
may result in a dangerous short circuit.
I M P O RTA N T
!
Many vessels employ small (10 AWG -
6 AWG) wire to ground the battery to the vessel
chassis and to connect the alternator's positive
connection to the battery. To prevent voltage
drops, these wires should be upgraded to 4
AWG when installing amplifier systems with
main fuse ratings above 60A.
6 AWG) wire to ground the battery to the vessel
chassis and to connect the alternator's positive
connection to the battery. To prevent voltage
drops, these wires should 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 M500/3 is being run from that power
wire, we recommend a 50A fuse be used.
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 M500/3 is being run from that power
wire, we recommend a 50A fuse be used.
If fusing the amplifier near its power
connections (when more than one amp is being
run from the main power wire), use a 50A fuse.
MAXI™ plastic-body fuses are recommended.
run from the main power wire), use a 50A fuse.
MAXI™ plastic-body fuses are recommended.