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RED binding post. (See the “Typical Bridge Mono Triamp” illustration, two pages back.)
Speaker impedance in this mode is twice the actual load on each channel. For example;
when operating an F600, whose minimum speaker impedance rating is 4Ω, in BRIDGE
MONO mode, speaker impedance must be no lower than 8Ω. A 4Ω speaker load, in this sit-
uation, would violate the minimum impedance rating of the amplifier.
1. During power-up, the amplifier stays in a muted state until it determines all is well. First
the fan(s) kick into high speed for a few seconds. After that it looks for DC Voltages on
the outputs (F1200 only). Then if there are no short circuits on the outputs and its not
overheated, the amp auto-initializes by disengaging the mute and turning off the “PRO-
TECT LED”. This all happens during the first 5 seconds after power is applied.
2. If the output load draws excessive current, such as when a speaker cable short circuits,
the amp detects this danger and mutes the channel. It then remains muted until power
is turned off. Correct the problem then re-apply power to the unit. When power is re-
applied the unit will come on normally. When the amplifier encounters this situation, it
deals with it by muting only the affected channel. This way a shorted speaker cable on
one side won’t stop the show!
3. If the amp is subjected to sufficiently severe environmental or abusive load conditions to
cause overheating, the unit will mute the affected channel. In this case, turning the
power off and then on again will not reset the mute. The unit will have to cool off first.
Fortunately the unaffected channel will remain on while the fan(s) cool the muted chan-
nel. Remedy the problem at once! Get the amp into a cooler environment or reconfig-
ure the loads or whatever else can be done to prevent abuse. (When this situation
occurs on F1200’s, set the RMS POWERMAX™ switch to the 2Ω position. The amp
will run cooler.) This condition mutes each channel independently so that a problem on
one channel does not shut down the entire amplifier. Again, the show goes on.
4. (F1200 only.) When the amp detects high levels of subsonic content in the program
material or DC on the output, it triggers the mute circuit. Since this circuit is non-
latching, the mute disengages as soon as the problem is corrected. As with the other
protection modes, this one works on each channel independently.
In summary:
If the amplifier goes in and out of PROTECT every few seconds, then the problem is most
likely excessive low frequencies (F1200 only).
If the amplifier goes in and out of PROTECT every few minutes, then its probably overheat-
ing.
If the amplifier goes into PROTECT and stays until you turn power off and back on again, it
is experiencing over-current. (i.e., shorted speaker cable or too many speakers are connect-
ed.)
If you turn the power off and back on a gain and the unit stays in PROTECT, then it is prob-
ably overheated and needs to cool off. Leave the power on so the fan(s) will cool it faster. It
will come back on automatically when it is cool enough. Be sure to correct whatever caused
it to overheat in the first place.
PROTECT LED
The “PROTECT LED” provides the operator with information about the status of the amplifi-
er. There are 4 different reasons for it to light.
This is made possible through the use of Carvin’s exclusive RMS POWERMAX™ feature.
Competitors boast exceptionally high power ratings at 2Ω, as does the F1200, but many
admit continuous duty is just not possible. The Carvin F1200 amplifier will continuously
deliver 600 Watts per channel into either 2Ω or
4Ω per channel by setting the RMS
POWERMAX™ switch to match the speaker load. You will recognize the value of this
feature if you have ever experienced a blown fuse or thermal shut-down when operating at
2Ω.
There are three possible configurations for using the RMS POWERMAX™ feature:
1. “Matching Mode” 2. “High Power Mode” 3. “Heat Savings Mode”.
MATCHING MODE
When loading the speaker outputs to 2Ω, set the RMS POWERMAX™ switch to the 2Ω
position. When loading the speaker outputs to 4Ω or higher, set the RMS POWERMAX™
switch to the 4/8Ω position. Whether running 2Ω or
4Ω output power will remain at 600W
per channel.
HIGHER POWER MODE
Under normal operating conditions, with each channel loaded to 2Ω and the RMS POW-
ERMAX™ switch set to its 2Ω position, the amplifier will deliver 600 Watts per channel
continuously. However, if the amplifier is not running into clipping, try switching the RMS
POWERMAX™ switch to the “4/8Ω” position. (That’s right; if the amplifier is not being
pushed to extremes, you can load both channels to 2Ω and set the RMS POWERMAX™
switch to “4/8Ω”.) Why? Because, instead of 600 Watts per channel you get 900 Watts!
The PEAK LED’s indicate when the amplifier has reached its maximum output.
Therefore, as RMS POWERMAX™ is switched from ‘higher power mode’ (900W) to
‘matching mode’ (600W), the PEAK LED’s will light sooner. The same is true when switch-
ing from ‘matching mode’ to ‘heat savings mode’.
HEAT SAVINGS MODE
If the amplifier is loaded with 4Ω or more per channel and operating under such extreme
load and environmental conditions that it’s entering thermal “PROTECT” mode, move the
RMS POWERMAX™ switch to the 2Ω position. This will allow continued operation by
decreasing the heat in the power section.
BRIDGING THE AMP
Carvin’s F-Series of amplifiers can be operated in bridged mode if you need a high power
mono (single channel) amplifier.
When ‘bridging’ the amp, the impedance capacity is always reduce in half. For example;
if the amp is rated with a minimum impedance of 4Ω per channel then the lowest imped-
ance is 8Ω in bridge mode. Likewise, if the amp is rated at 2Ω per channel then the lowest
recommended impedance would be 4Ω.
Speaker connections must be made on the two RED binding posts. The channel 1 RED
binding post is the positive output while channel 2’s RED post is negative.
When bridging the F1200, set the RMS POWERMAX™ switch to the position that is half
the speaker’s impedance rating. (i.e., when running a 4Ω speaker in bridge mode, the
RMS POWERMAX™ switch should be in the 2Ω position.)
The switches in the Accessory Group labeled “BRIDGE MONO” must be in their right-
most position. The output level is controlled by channel 1’s level control (the channel 2
level control is disabled).
RMS POWERMAX™
Unlike most amplifiers, the F1200 is capable of driving speaker loads down to 2Ω per
channel, continuously, at full output power.
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