ARC Audio FD1200.1, Owner'S Manual

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Installation Instructions

1. 

Disconnect the negative cable from the car battery. Tape up the end  

so it is isolated form the battery.

2. 

Run the power wire (4 AWG min.) from the battery to the amplifier.  

Plan this part of the installation carefully. This cable will carry very high  

current. If it should short to the body and it is not properly fused  

it could catch fire.

3. 

Connect the power wire to the battery using a fuse capable of the  

total current load of all amplifiers connected. Don’t install the fuse  

yet. Wait until the end. Locate the fuse as close as possible to the  

battery. If the fuse is further that 18 inches (wire length) from the  

battery you should reevaluate the wire and fuse placement.

4. 

Find the closest clear metal area to the amp for a ground. Sand,  

grind or scrape all paint and undercoating from the body and screw  

the ground securely to the body. 

It is advisable to test the ground with an ohmmeter between the  

ground cable and the negative battery cable to insure a good low  

resistance connection. Some alloys used in modern cars do not  

offer the best ground. If you believe this is the case consult with the  

  vehicle 

manufacturer.

5. 

Run the speaker wire to the speakers. It is advised that you leave  

some extra wire at this point. You can “clean it up” later.

6. 

If you haven’t already done so, mount the amp now.

7. 

Connect the power and ground to the amplifier. 

Only after this step should you install the fuse at the battery.

8. 

Connect the remote wire from the head unit to the amplifier. Now  

is a good time to turn on the amp for the first time. Make sure it  

turns on properly and does not go into protect.

9. 

Connect the speaker wire to the amp and speakers (make sure  

the amp is off first). Make sure the polarity (+ and-) is correct.

10. 

Connect the RCA’s to the amp.

11. 

Double check the amplifier controls at this time. Make sure    

everything is set correctly for your system.

12. 

Now you’re ready to play it for the first time. It is best to leave the  

gain all the way down at first. Start with the head unit volume low  

and work your way up.

13. 

Now you can tune the amp. Take your time and make only one  

adjustment at a time. It may take some time to get the system  

fully adjusted. During this time the amp is drawing current from  

the battery. You should check the battery voltage from time to time  

and re-charge it if it gets low. Battery voltage can affect the way  

the amplifier performs.

14. 

You’re done. Now have fun.