7-Band Car Equalizer (120-1973) Installation Faxback Doc. # 6627 Before you install the equalizer, carefully read all installation instructions. If you are unsure about any part of the installation process, we recommend you have a professional install your equalizer. Note the following before you begin installing the equalizer: * Be sure your vehicle has a 12-volt DC, negative-ground electrical system. * Before you mount the equalizer, temporarily connect and test the equalizer to be sure it works. Do not permanently mount the equalizer until you are sure the connections are correct. SUPPLIED HARDWARE The following items are supplied with the equalizer. Be sure you locate these items before you throw away the packing materials. Left Bracket (1) Right Bracket (2) Machine Screws (5) Small Flat Washers (7) Large Lock Washer (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Small Lock Washers (7) Small Sheet Metal Screws (2) Large Sheet-Metal Screw (1) Mounting Strap (1) CHOOSING A MOUNTING LOCATION Choose a mounting location that: * Is as close as possible to your vehicle's radio/cassette player or other main auto-sound component. * Does not interfere with the vehicle's operation. * Is not directly in front of a heating vent. * Lets you drill mounting holes without damaging other vehicle components. CONNECTING THE EQUALIZER To connect the equalizer to your radio/cassette player, place the equalizer as close as possible to the selected mounting location and follow the instructions on the following pages that correspond to the type of connection you are making. Caution: To protect your vehicle's electrical system, disconnect the cable from the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal before you connect the equalizer. This disconnects power from your vehicle's clock, your auto sound system's tuner memories, and any other clock or memory devices in your vehicle. You must later reset these. Connection Using the Radio/Cassette Player's Front Speaker Connector Follow these steps to connect the equalizer using the radio/cassette player's front speaker connector. This connection requires two separate amplifiers. Radio Shack stores sell a wide variety of auto-sound amplifiers. Connection to the amplifiers requires shielded cables with phono connectors, and connection to the radio/cassette player requires wire connectors which are also available at your local Radio Shack store. 1. Connect the radio/cassette player's front left (+) speaker wire to the equalizer's white wire. 2. Connect the radio/cassette player's front left (-) speaker wire to the equalizer's white wire with the black line. 3. Connect the radio/cassette player's front right (+) speaker wire to the equalizer's gray wire. 4. Connect the radio/cassette player's front right (-) speaker wire to the equalizer's gray wire with the black line. 5. Connect the equalizer's red power wire with the in-line fuse holder labeled 1A to a terminal in your vehicle's fuse block that turns on and off with the ignition. 6. Connect the equalizer's black ground wire to a chassis ground such as a clean, metal bolt attached to the vehicle's frame. Be sure the bolt is not insulated from the frame by a plastic part. 7. Connect the equalizer's orange wire to the front and rear amplifiers' switched power leads. Note: This wire does not provide power to the amplifiers. It simply turns them on and off with the equalizer. The amplifiers must be designed for use with a switched power lead. 8. Use shielded cables with phono connectors to connect the equalizer's FRONT and REAR L (left) and R (right) OUTPUT jacks to the amplifiers' line in jacks. 9. To connect the speakers to the front and rear amplifier, refer to the amplifier's owner's manual. 10. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal. If the equalizer does not work properly, recheck all connections. Connection Using Only Line Out Jacks Follow these steps to connect the equalizer if your radio/cassette player has line out jacks but does not have line in jacks. This connection requires two separate amplifiers. Radio Shack stores sell a wide variety of autosound amplifiers. Connection to the amplifier requires shielded cables with phono connectors, which are also available at your local Radio Shack store. 1. Be sure the red power wire in the radio/cassette player's speaker harness is connected to a terminal in your vehicle's fuse block that turns on and off with the ignition. 2. Connect the equalizer's red power wire with the in-line fuse holder labeled 1A to a terminal in your vehicle's fuse block that turns on and off with the ignition. Note: The equalizer's five-pin connector and red power wire labeled 3A are not used. 3. Connect the equalizer's black ground wire to a chassis ground such as a clean, metal bolt attached to the vehicle's frame. Be sure the bolt is not insulated from the frame by a plastic part. 4. Connect the equalizer's orange wire to the front and rear amplifiers' switched power leads. Note: This wire does not provide power to the amplifiers. It simply turns them on and off with the equalizer. The amplifiers must be designed for use with a switched power lead. 5. Use shielded cables with phono connectors to connect the equalizer's FRONT and REAR L (left) and R (right) OUT jacks to the amplifiers' left and right line in jacks. 6. Use shielded cables with phono connectors to connect the radio/cassette player's left and right line out jacks to the equalizer's L (left) and R (right) HI INPUT jacks. 7. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal. If the equalizer does not work properly, recheck all connections. Connection Using Line IN and Line Out Jacks. Follow these steps to connect the equalizer if your radio/cassette player has line out and line in jacks. This connection does not require a separate amplifier. However, you have the option of connecting an amplifier to your radio/cassette player. Connection to the radio/cassette player requires shielded cables with phono connectors, which are available at your local Radio Shack store. 1. Be sure your radio/cassette player's speaker harness is connected to your speakers and that the red power wire is connected to a terminal in your vehicle's fuse block that turns on and off with the ignition. 2. Connect the equalizer's red power wire with the in-line fuse holder labeled 1A to a terminal in your vehicle's fuse block that turns on and off with the ignition. 3. Connect the equalizer's black ground wire to a chassis ground such as a clean, metal bolt attached to the vehicle's frame. Be sure the bolt is not insulated from the frame by a plastic part. 4. Connect the radio/cassette player's left and right line out jacks to the equalizer's L (left) and R (right) HI INPUT jacks. Connect the equalizer's FRONT and/or REAR L (left) and R (right) OUT jacks to the radio/cassette player's left and right line in jacks. 5. Connect the orange wire to the switched power lead of an amplifier or other optional equipment that you want to turn on and off with the equalizer. Note: This wire does not provide power to any equipment. It simply turns the optional equipment on and off with the equalizer. The equipment must be designed for use with a switched power lead. If you do not use this wire, secure it with a wire tie so it does not touch any metal object. 6. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal. If the equalizer does not work properly, recheck all connections. MOUNTING THE EQUALIZER After you test the equalizer, disconnect the cable from the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal and disconnect the equalizer. Then follow these steps to mount the equalizer. 1. Using the supplied machine screws temporarily attach the mounting brackets to the equalizer. 2. Position the equalizer in the mounting location. Then mark the positions for the mounting brackets on the mounting surface by tracing the outside edges of the mounting brackets. 3. Remove the mounting brackets from the equalizer, and position them as marked on the mounting surface. Then trace the positions for the mounting holes. 4. Drill 3/16-inch holes in the marked locations. Be sure you do not damage anything on the other side of the mounting surface. 5. Using the small sheet-metal screws and washers, attach the mounting brackets to the mounting surface. 6. Using the large sheet-metal screw and washers, attach the metal strap to the equalizer as shown. Using a supplied machine screw and small washers, attach the strap's other end to an existing bolt on a solid metal part of the vehicle. This strap secures the equalizer and helps ensure proper electrical grounding. 7. Using the machine screws and small washers, attach the equalizer to the mounting brackets. 8. Reconnect the equalizer. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery's positive (+) terminal. (br/all-07/11/94)