A brief how to guide to install your new asset tracking devices.
Installation Guide: Asset Tracking Device on a Trailer
Installing an asset tracking device on your trailer is a straightforward process that greatly enhances the security and monitoring of your asset. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to properly install your device, ensuring it functions correctly and provides reliable tracking. At a minimum, you will need to connect two power wires, a ground wire, and an ignition wire.
Required Tools and Materials
- Asset tracking device
- Wire strippers
- Crimping tool
- Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing
- Cable ties
- Drill (if required for mounting)
- Screwdriver set
Installation Steps
Step 1: Choose an Installation Location
- Select a secure and discreet location on your trailer for the asset tracking device. It should be a place that is protected from direct exposure to water, extreme temperatures, and potential physical damage.
- Ensure the chosen location is close enough to the power source (7-pin cable) and allows for easy routing of wires without interference with moving parts.
Step 2: Determine the 7-way pinout configuration of your trailer or equipment
- Locate J560 7-way trailer connector on the front of the trailer.
- Disconnect the 7-way plug from the trailer socket.
- Start the truck and use a multimeter on the vehicle-side 7-way plug to determine which pins have constant 12V power. Ensure to set the multimeter to DC mode.
- Identify the Power. Below is the most common and alternate configurations. The most common config usually has a blue wire in the center and a white wire on the top that is the Ground.
Most common 7-way pin configuration
Alternate 7-way configurations
- Pull the 7-way assembly out of the trailer housing and remove any existing covers and tubing from the back of the 7-way connector, to access the connected wires.
Step 3: Connect the Ground Wire
- Loosen the ground terminal screw of the 7-way connector using a screwdriver but do not remove the existing wire.
- Connect any one of the two SOLID BLACK wires to the ground terminal of the 7-way connector. There are two black wires which are for either Power1 or Power2’s Ground (Pins3,4) and are interchangeable. Important: Be sure not to use the black wire with white stripe as that is for an External Accessory Ground.
- Tighten the ground terminal screw, mating the asset tracker black wire and the existing trailer wire.
- If there is no ground terminal, ensure the black wire is securely connected to a clean, unpainted metal part of the trailer’s frame. This ensures a good ground connection, which is crucial for the device's operation.
Step 3: Connect the Power Wires
- Identify the power wire on the cable harness which is SOLID RED wire with a FUSE ATTACHED (black plastic box on the wire). The second red wire with green stripe that has a fuse attached is a secondary power cable that can also be connected in event there is an issue with the primary.
- Locate the trailer’s battery or power source. Connect the red primary power wire of the tracking device to the power terminal of the trailer.
Step 5: Connect the Ignition Wire
- The ignition wire is used to detect when the trailer's engine is on and is very important for getting more active tracking and battery recharging when the engine is running. Locate the ignition wire in the tracker’s wiring harness which is SOLID WHITE . Important: Be sure NOT to use the white wire with black stripe as that is an alternative unused purpose.
- Use wire strippers to carefully expose a section of the ignition wire.
- Connect the ignition wire from the tracking device to the exposed section of the trailer’s ignition wire. Secure the connection with a crimping tool and insulate it with electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.
Step 6: Secure and Test the Device
- Once all connections are made, secure the device in the chosen location using screws or cable ties.
- Tidy up any loose wires with cable ties, ensuring they do not interfere with moving parts or pose a tripping hazard.
- Test the device by turning on the trailer's engine. Verify that the device is transmitting by logging into the carrier application and checking the status of the assigned vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You have successfully installed an asset tracking device on your trailer. Regularly check the device and connections for any signs of wear or damage to ensure continuous, reliable performance. This installation not only enhances the security of your trailer but also provides peace of mind through real-time tracking of your asset.