User manual HARMAN KARDON TC300

[. . . ] In addition, it describes the proper methods for connecting your amplifier to your system. Please read this owner's manual and carefully follow the instructions for connection. Table of Contents Harman Kardon design philosophy . . . . . . . . 2 TC600, TC300, and TC300 features . . . . . . . 3 introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Charging system considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Mounting location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Connecting the TC-series amplifier . . . . . . . . I I General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] In this configuration, the amplifier provides all its power into a single channel. can be bridged to combine one or two of its channel pairs into one or two single mono channels. Bridged amplifier operation with electronic crossover If you install an electronic crossover between the head unit and the TC Series amplifier. you have several options for using TC Series amplifiers in bridged mode, such as: Use the TC300 as a dedicated mono amplifier running a single subwoofer or other combinations of series/parallel woofers. Use the TC300 in one of two ways: (a) as a dedicated two-channel amplifier running two single subwoofers. or (b) as a stereo high-pass amplifier to two stereo channels and as a mono low-pass amplifier to a mono subwoofer channel. Use the TC600 as a dedicated mono amplifier running parallel subwoofers. Note: Becmtse rher. e ur. e wl:\. fi. wn m f em thut cat1 hutrdle 600 watts ~fc~otrtit~rr- Use the TC300 as a four-channel highorrs power. Use the proper gauge of wire: I0 gauge or larger from the amplifier to the battery, and 18 gauge or larger from the amplifier to the speakers. If you choose to use crimp-type connectors in your system, use high-quality connectors of the proper size, and crimp them correctly to ensure optimum electrical contact. Be sure to solder any splices in your wire, and seal the splice with heat-shrink tubing or electrical tape. The connectors on TC Series amplifiers are large enough to accept up to 10-gauge wire. If you want to use a heavier gauge of wire than will fit into the connector, remove one strand at a time until the end of the wire can fit. Even though strands are removed at the connector end, you still receive the benefits of the heaviergauge wire, since the significant loss in a long run of wire occurs along its length, and not at its relatively short termination point. Make sure you route this lead separately from the preamp output cables to avoid the possibility of noise in the system. 12V Ground (B-) connection Connect a single 10-gauge or larger wire to the ground (-) connector on the amp, then run the lead to the metal chassis of the car. Make sure you scrape down to bare metal, and make sure that the metal is directly part of the main vehicle chassis. Keep the ground lead as short as possible. T C 3 0 4 power connections SIGNAL INPUT SPEAKEROUTPUT L R L R L (~lusaan~islsed 0-logawie Remote-on Many head units provide a remote-on lead, which connects directly to the Remote connector on your TC Series amplifier. you can still wire your system for remote turn-on by using one of these options: Option I : Connect the antenna power lead to the Remote terminal on the TC Series amplifier. Note: This configuration may require that you have the power to the radio on when you play a tape or CD. Option 2: Wire a switch in the passenger compartment to switch the positive terminal on the battery (+12V) to the Remote terminal on the amplifier. Alternatively, you can use the accessory position on the ignition switch to switch + 12V to the Remote terminal. Audio input connections There are two types of input signals that your TC Series amplifier may receive: lowlevel (preamp-level) output or high-level (speaker-level) output. Low-level (preamp-level) connections Connect the left and right preamp output cables from your head unit, electronic crossover, low-level equalizer (commonly referred to as a passive equalizer), or preamplifier to the left and right INPUT RCA connectors on your TC Series amplifier. (See the "Controls and operations" section for information about adjusting input level. ) You may want to use high-quality preamp cables (although noise at this point should not be a factor because the differential INPUT connectors on the TC Series amplifiers are capable of rejecting radiated noise induced in cables). use the type with a shielded, twisted pair of signal wires, if possible. The separate shield should not be grounded at the amplifier end. I High-level (speaker-level) connections If your head unit has low-]evel (preamp1) connectors available. If only ker wires are available, connect as :ribed here. Solder each pair of speaker leads from the head unit to a male RCA connector. Connect the positive lead to the center pin of the RCA connector, and the negative lead to the outside shield of the connector. [. . . ] For example, if R 1 and R2 are both 4-ohn speakers, the combined impedance is: 4+4=8ohms. Parallel RI X R2 RI - combined impedance = + R2 For example, if R 1 and R 2 are both 4-ohm speakers, the combined impedance is: The TC Series simultanous bridged mono/stereo satellite operation demonstrates this minimum impedance concept, as these diagrams illustrate: -~ ~ Improper impedance loading Proper impedance loading Len satellite speakers 2-ohm min~mum 2-ohm minimum If the left and right satellite speakers are 2 ohms and operated full-range, the amplifier would see a proper impedance load. However, if a 4 ohm subwoofer is additionally bridged across the left and right channels without a crossover filter, the amplifier will now see 1 ohm per channel in the combined woofer/satellite operating range, thereby eventually triggering the amplifier's protection mode (a 4-ohm bridged load looks like a 2-ohm load per channel to an amplifier). Separating the operating ranges of the satellites and woofer with a passive crossover filter as shown in the above example will provide a proper minimum impedance load of 2 ohms stereo above 8OHz and 4 ohms bridged mono below 80Hz. 30 Troubleshooting checklist Most of the problems experienced by customers are due to installation or operational problems. crossovers, speakers, and other electrical equipment used with your amplifier. If you still have difficulties in normal operation, please contact an authorized Harman Kardon service center. Problem No sound. [. . . ]