BT-1200 Install Guide
Last Updated January 29, 2014
Table of Contents
Before Installing ............................................................... 3
Tools Needed For Installation........................................... 3
GPS Fundamentals ........................................................... 4
Checking the Contents of the Box .................................... 4
Installing and Mounting the GPS Unit .............................. 5
Cable Interface.................................................................. 6
12 VDC Power Connection ...................................... 6
Ground Connection.................................................. 6
Activating the BT-1200 Unit ............................................. 7
Troubleshooting Chart ..................................................... 8
Btracking BT-1200 Installation Manual
BEFORE INSTALLING
Prior to the installation process, thoroughly review and adhere to the following items.
Use only a Digital or Analog Volt Meter - DO NOT USE TEST LIGHT!
Check for possible installation locations for the GPS unit prior to permanent installation.
ALWAYS LOOK BEFORE DRILLING. Make sure that the installation process does not cause damage to any vehicle hose, electrical loom, or to any part of the vehicle.
Make note of the unit serial number prior to installation.
Prior to working on any part of the dashboard (instrument cluster, center console, glove box, etc.), remove the negative and positive terminal from the battery to deactivate the sensors for the airbags. Refer to the
Owner’s Manual and to a Shop Manual for the vehicle for specific instructions in the temporary deactivation process.
DO NOT place objects, including communication equipment, in the area over the airbag or near the airbag deployment area.
Refer to the Owners Manual and to a Shop Manual of the vehicle for specific information related to the electrical wiring, interior disassembly, and any other mechanical aspects of the vehicle.
TOOLS NEEDED FOR INSTALLATION
Metric and standard socket set
Screwdriver set
Side cutters, wire cutters
Wire strippers
Pliers
Terminal crimpers
Digital Multimeter
Electrical tape
Flashlight
Warning: It is highly recommended that a Digital Multimeter be used when probing electrical systems in the vehicle to prevent damage to factory components.
I
Model
BT-1200
GPS FUNDAMENTALS
There is a minimum of 24 operational GPS satellites at all times. The satellites, operated by the U.S. Air
Force, orbit the earth every 12 hours. Each GPS satellite transmits data that indicates its location and the current time. All GPS satellites synchronize operations so that these repeating signals are transmitted at the same instant. The signals, moving at the speed of light, arrive at a GPS receiver at slightly different times because some satellites are farther away than others. The distance to the GPS satellites can be determined by determining the amount of time it takes for their signals to reach the receiver. When the receiver determines the distance to at least four GPS satellites, it can by triangulation, calculate its position in three dimensions.
To ensure the GPS unit receives enough satellite signals at acceptable signal strength, it must be mounted so that it has a clear view of the sky. In hidden locations, such as under the dash, a clear view can be challenging. In these locations, it is important to keep any metal interference as far as possible from the top portion of the GPS unit so that the most accurate position can be calculated.
While GPS data collection has improved in ease and speed, some obstacles remain. Solid or dense objects can block GPS signals. Wet trees with heavy branches and leaves can mask or attenuate GPS signals.
Mountains and buildings can block satellite transmission. Multipath signals can corrupt GPS data. Multipath is a reflected signal from some nearby objects. The resulting propagation delay can affect measurement accuracy. GPS electronics advancements have reduced the multipath threat but GPS field operators and users should be aware of obvious multipath environments.
CHECKING THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX
The contents of the box containing the BT-1200 are shown below:
Contents
1.BT-1200 Unit
2. 2 Mounting Screws
INSTALLING AND MOUNTING THE GPS UNIT
The GPS unit will work best if it has a clear view of the sky and as much of the horizon as possible with no metal between it and the sky. Any metallic objects between the GPS unit and the satellites will degrade the signal and reduce the overall performance. For best signal acquisition, the roof of the trailer is the recommended mounting position. (This will require extending the wires on the unit to reach your trailer wiring socket or refer unit battery.) You can also mount the device on the front of the trailer as pictured below. For refrigerated trailers the device can be mounted inside the refer shroud and you can use the refer units battery for the external power source.
WARNING Any metal structure can affect the accuracy of the GPS signals and prevent normal operation.
Location of the GPS unit is critical to the operation.
The GPS unit can be installed on any type of vehicle. The unit should be mounted so it will not be exposed to damage from people or objects. The GPS unit has tabs for mounting screws or you can use epoxy or double sided tape to attach the unit to your trailer.
CABLE INTERFACE
Main Harness Connections in Detail
RED and White (+) 12volt Input When Connected to Truck
Locate the Red wire and the White wire found on the cable connected to the GPS unit. The red wire AND the white wire must be connected to a 12-volt source from the vehicle that will be connected to the trailer.
It's important that the 12 volt power source maintains 12 volts at all times the trailer is in motion.
BLACK (-) Chassis Ground Input
Locate the Black wire found on the cable connected to the GPS unit. The black wire must be connected to a solid chassis ground uninhibited by paint or plastics. It is important that you do not use any floating grounds from the vehicles electrical system. Always connect the ground directly to the chassis body and secure with a factory bolt or aftermarket screw insuring wire to metal connection. It is also advised that you connect a jumper to the pin in your trailer wiring socket that is the “Ground return to towing vehicle”
SAE J560 and J1067 Wiring Circuits
5
6
7
Terminal Color Lamp and Signal Circuits
1
2
White
Black
Ground return to towing vehicle
Clearance, side marker,
3
4
Yellow Left turn signal and hazard lamps
Red Stop lamps and antilock devices
Green Right turn signal
Brown Tail and license plate lamps
Blue Auxiliary
Note: Trailer trackers are shipped with NO charge on the internal battery. The trailer must be attached to a truck for it to be powered; it takes 24-48 hours to ompletely charge the internal battery.
Note: It is imperative that the units wiring is connected to pins that will be powered by ALL trucks in your fleet. Use a multimeter to check the connection coming from your trucks to verify how your trucks are wired. If a large percentage of your trucks do not provide power to the auxiliary power pin you may consider wiring the units to the marker lights. (Under this scenario the device will ONLY receive external power when the lights are on. If you use this method we strongly recommend you have your drivers always drive with their lights on.)
WARNING: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL WIRING CONNECTIONS ARE SECURE AND WATERTIGHT FOR
RELIABLE OPERATION OF THE UNIT.
Activating the BT-1200Unit
Prior to the initial powering of the unit, move the vehicle outside, so that the GPS receiver can receive signals from the GPS satellites. Upon initial power up of the BT-1200 the LEDs start flashing on the side of the unit to determine if the unit is powered on. If the LED is not flashing after 60sec, check the power connections. The statuses of the LED’s are below.
Status LED Definitions
After the unit has been powered for 5 to 15 minutes, the unit will send in a “power-up” message. While waiting for the power-up message, collect the following information before calling in (855-438-4771 option2) for activating the unit:
Account ID | Vehicle Name | Device IMEI number
Please verify with tech support that the device has been activated and is working properly before putting the unit back in service.
Orange LED Status GSM/GPRS Cellular Green LED Status GPS Communications
Communications
Blinking – Tracker on, searching for wireless signal Blinking – GPS on, searching for satellite signal
Patterned Blinking – Signal acquired, unit trying to establish connection to the communication server
Solid – 2-way communication link with the Solid – GPS lock established communication server established
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
Symptom
Unit Does Not Power-up
Unit Does Not Find
Cellular Service
Unit Does Not Receive a GPS
Signal
Cause
Power is not connected to the unit. With a Digital Volt Meter, measure the voltage at the input to the unit. A positive voltage should be measured on the + terminal of the unit when measuring between the + terminal and the - terminal or chassis ground. This voltage should also measure 12 VDC. Correct the wiring to assure the correct polarity and the correct voltage level. Check fuse. Bad
Ground connection. Make sure the ground is connected directly to metal with no paint or residue. Use a Digital Multimeter to test continuity to ground to ensure good connection.
The unit is not receiving the local cellular system. The main cause of this is poor signal strength due to shielding or coverage.
Make sure the GSM (Orange) light is solid, move the unit outside the building and or outside of vehicle if necessary and re-apply power to the unit. Move vehicle to acquire better signal if necessary. Contact tech support if problem persists.
The GPS receiver is unable to lock into the satellites or receive signal. Make sure GPS (Green) light is solid if not, make sure that the unit’s label is facing skyward and that there is no metal between it and the sky including but not limited to the roof of the vehicle and any dash bracing. If it is, the move the vehicle outside of or away from any building/garage to allow the internal GPS antenna in the unit to have a clear view of the sky. You may need to power the unit outside of the vehicle as some vehicles may have metallic or leaded windshields. Contact tech support if problem persists.
