JL Audio M200/2 Owner's Manual

5

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.
 

The M200/2’s “+12 VDC” and “Ground” 

connections are designed to accept 8-4 AWG  
power wire. 8 AWG is the minimum required 
wire size for this amplifier. 

If you are installing the M200/2 with other 

amplifiers and wish to use a single main power 
wire, use 4 AWG, 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 M200/2 
XJUIPS"8(QPXFSXJSF+-"VEJP&$4
fused distribution blocks are 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.).

 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.

 

 

It is also common for the alternator to be 

grounded through its chassis to the engine and 
for the engine to be grounded to the battery or a 
ground stud  via a dedicated wire or strap. This 
wire or strap should also be upgraded to 4 AWG or 
larger when installing amplifier systems with main 
fuse ratings above 60A.

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 M200/2 is being run from that power 
wire, we recommend a 20A 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 20A fuse.
MAXI™  plastic-body fuses are recommended.