Wireless Telematics Automatic Vehicle Locator (WTAVL)
Installation Instructions
Download this Manual in Adobe
Acrobat 'pdf' format.
Please Read This Manual Carefully
Due to the unique technology utilized by this hardware, a number
of variables can dramatically affect the performance and
reliability of this device.
Applications
The device can be easily installed and used via a computer with
internet access.
The Wireless Telematics WTAVL device can be used as a:
1. Integrated vehicle asset location device (permanently “hard-wired” to
vehicle).
2. Portable tracking device, with optional wiring harness (move
from vehicle to vehicle)
Step 1: Taking Inventory
Items Included:
Instruction Manual (on WTAVL CD)
1 Bag of mounting hardware and cable ties
1 WTAVL Installation CD for Microsoft® Windows Java™ Plug
in
1 WTAVL device
1 Dual band antenna kit
1 Main wiring harness (Hardwire installation harness)
(Optional) Accessory harness (Cigarette lighter adapter, purchased
separately)
Step 2: Decide on Mounting Location (permanent installation)
Selecting a Mounting Location
Always mount the WTAVL device in the vehicle's interior
compartment, in a location that is not easily accessible, and
out of the
way of the vehicle controls (e.g.; gas and break pedals).
Ensure that moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes
are minimized. Locations near the catalytic converter or directly
in front of heater vents should be avoided.
Locate the WTAVL device in a hidden location so that
the device can not be easily disabled, enabling it to continue
sending
location signals in the event of theft of the vehicle
Make sure that the location you select is close enough
to the GPS antenna location, which you select in step 3, for
the antenna lines to reach from the antenna to the device.
Acceptable locations may include, but are not limited to:
Behind the instrument panel and adhered to the under
side of the dash
Behind the glove compartment, under the dash
Step 3: Mounting the GPS / RF Antenna
Note: Anytime the antenna is installed to the vehicle windshield;
the placement of the antenna and cabling MUST not obstruct the
view or interfere with the operation of the vehicle.
The Wireless Telematics WTAVL device operates by collecting
signals from GPS satellites processes those signals and transmits
them back to the mapping and data servers at Wireless Telematics
through the RF Network.
The mounting of the GPS and RF System’s antenna is the
most important part of the installation. Without proper reception
and transmission, the device will not function properly. Proper
placement of the antennas is essential for successful installation.
The GPS antenna must have a visible path to the sky at all times,
or it will fail to acquire the satellite signal and achieve a
GPS fix. If or when the GPS antenna cannot “see” the
sky, the device will not acquire a GPS location or function as
designed.
Step 3.1 Selecting an Antenna Mounting Location
The sky should not be obscured from the GPS antenna by the car
body, metal, or other material that may inhibit reception. Also,
the antenna cables must be able to be routed to the tracking
device location. There are a number of ideal locations for mounting
the antenna so that it can properly receive signals from the
satellites:
1. Front Dashboard
Install the GPS/RF System’s antenna to a location on the
front dashboard that will allow the black plastic portion of
the GPS antenna to be in full view of the sky, located on a flat
portion of the dash and as close to the windshield as possible.
Mounting the GPS/RF antenna to the windshield glass will impede
the performance of the GPS antenna.
2. Rear deck lid
This location is best for vehicles with a sloping rear window
when a covert installation is desired. The antenna may be installed
toward the lower edge of the glass; or under the rear deck lid
paneling, but just above the metal portion of the rear deck.
The main device needs to be installed in the back of the vehicle
if antennas are placed in the rear. This will require the Battery
(+) and Ignition (IGN) wires to be extended to the rear of the
vehicle. The Ground (GND) can be obtained by attaching the Ground
(GND) to the vehicle chassis.
Optional External Mount Antenna (Sold Separately)
This GPS antenna may be mounted in external locations. The wire
routing to the desired location must be sealed to prevent leaks.
On commercial trucks, the roof of the cab is an ideal location.
Step 3.2 Attaching the Antennas
After a mounting location is chosen, the antenna may be attached.
Follow these steps:
1. Verify that the orientation of the antenna is correct (The
antenna must have the black side pointing to the sky)
2. Place the GPS/RF System antenna module in the desired mounting
location. If it is desirable, mount with the supplied mounting
adhesive tape. Remove the backing to expose the adhesive to secure
the module.
Step 3.3 Connecting the antenna lines to WTAVL device
1. Fasten the RF System cable by screwing on the RF System antenna
cable to the threaded connector that protrudes from the WTAVL
device.
2. Plug in the Global Positioning System’s (GPS) antenna
cable with the small snap-in MCX connector to the GPS receptacle
just below the Radio Frequency (RF) system’s antenna connector
(Figure 1., page 3) on the WTAVL device.
Step 4: Connecting the wiring harness
(For Portable Lighter Plug WTAVL operation, proceed to Step 5)
Permanent “Hard-Wire” Installation (Recommended)
CAUTION: The Air Bag Circuit
Always avoid the vehicle’s airbag circuit! In most vehicles,
this circuit is covered by yellow split loom. Accidental activation
of the vehicle’s airbag could result in injury or death!
Step 4.1 Connect Black Wire (Device Negative ground)
4.1.1 Description
The black wire is the source of negative ground. A secure connection
of the black ground wire is essential for proper operation
of the device.
4.1.2 Connection
Using a proper connector, connect the black wire to the metal
frame of the vehicle, preferably using an existing machine
threaded fastener. Make sure that the ring terminal attached
to the black wire has contact with bright, clean metal. If
necessary, scrape any paint, rust, or grease from the connection
point.
4.1.3 Warning (Ground Wire integrity)
Verify that the ground wire is connected to a true ground source.
If the WTAVL Device has an insufficient ground connection,
it will find partial ground through the wires that are connected
to other circuits, and the system will not function properly.
Step 4.2 Connect Red Wire (12-volt constant power)
4.2.1 Description
The red wire supplies constant (non interrupted battery) +12
volts for system operation.
4.2.2 Connection
Connect the red wire to an un-switched 12-volt source that is
fused to 5 amps. This source should supply 12 volts of undisrupted
power, with a minimum 3-amp capacity. The connection location
can be from the fuse block. Never insert the red wire behind
a fuse. Be aware that connecting directly to the battery's
positive terminal will expose this connection to failure due
to the potentially corrosive environment, unless the connection
has a protective coating.
Step 4.3 Connect Yellow Wire (12-Volt Ignition)
4.3.1 Description
The yellow wire is an ignition "on" input to the system,
which supplies 12 volts of positive power to the WTAVL device
whenever the ignition switch is "on." This connection
is critical to the operation of many of the system’s features.
4.3.2 Locating primary ignition
This step is important because many cars have different ignition
modes. Connect the yellow wire to a source that follows the
indications in the Table 3 on the next page. With a voltmeter,
check the following voltages:
- 0 volts when the ignition key is in the "off" position.
- +12
volts when the ignition key is in the "accessory" position.
- +12
volts when the ignition key is in the "start" position.
- +12
volts when the ignition key is in the "run" position.
4.3.3 Connection
This connection should be made at the ignition switch harness
to the primary ignition circuit (IGN). Locate the correct wire
at the ignition switch harness and securely attach the yellow
wire to it.
Step 4.4 Connect Main Wiring Harness
Now that you have completed the wire connections and tested
all voltages (+) (IGN) and the ground (-), plug the 3-wire main
wiring harness into the WTAVL device main harness plug (See Figure
4).
Step 5: Install for Portable WTAVL Use
(for Permanent WTAVL installation, Skip Step 5 and proceed to
Step 6)
1. Plug the RJ-45 connector on the optional lighter adapter
cable into J1 on the back of the WTAVL device. (see figure 4.5
)
2. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter into the vehicle.
Special Note: If the cigarette lighter adapter is to be used,
the WTAVL system may loose some of its designed functionality.
Start points and shutdown points may be lost in some brands of
vehicles that turn power off to the cigarette lighter when the
ignition is turned off. Using the switch on the top of the cigarette
lighter adapter can simulate the Engine On and Engine Off functionality.
After turning the ignition on, turn on the switch located on
the top of the cigarette lighter adapter. The green light on
the top of the cigarette lighter adapter indicates power is being
delivered to the WTAVL device. This simulates the Engine On state
and will result in a green start point on the Wireless Telematics
Web tracking interface. To simulate the Engine Off state, turn
off the switch on the cigarette lighter adapter. This simulates
the Engine Off state and will result in a gray shutdown point
on the Wireless Telematics Web interface. The ignition switch
must remain on for at least 1 minute after turning off the cigarette
lighter adapter, providing power for the WTAVL device. If the
vehicle turns off the power to the cigarette lighter adapter
with the ignition switch in the off position, as noted above,
the iSleep function will not be available.
Step 6. System Testing
The WTAVL device has two Bi-Color LEDs and two mono-color LEDs
(Figure 5 above).
1. The LED on the upper left indicates the Receive/Transmit
activity of the WTAVL RF transceiver; green for receive, and
red for transmit.
2. The LED on the lower left indicates the power status. Red
indicates that the WTAVL device has power and the ignition is
off. Green indicates that the power is on.
3. The Green LED on the upper right indicates that the GPS has
acquired a GPS fix and is operating correctly.
4. The Green LED on the lower right is for the RF System.
IMPORTANT: When the device is first powered up, all 4 LED’s
will turn on for about 1 second provided the device is functioning
correctly. The first time the device is powered up, and there
is RF System coverage available, the green system LED will turn
on. The GPS LED will turn on provided the GPS antenna is functioning
correctly and is installed as per the instructions in section
3.0. The GPS LED should turn on within a few minutes on the first
power-up. This takes longer on the first boot-up because the
GPS receiver must be updated for the new location. After the
first initial power-up the GPS normally takes a few seconds to
acquire a GPS lock.
Step 6.1. Check Power Status LED
1. When the vehicle's ignition is turned off, the lower left
LED will turn red.
2. When the vehicle's ignition is turned on, the lower left LED
will turn green.
Step 7: Attaching the WTAVL Device
Permanent Installation: Attach using provided mounting hardware
in tabs on the ends of the WTAVL device and tighten until secure.
Make certain that both the GPS and RF System’s antenna
lines are securely fastened to the device.
Portable Installation: Secure the device using Velcro or double
stick tape. Check the mounting surface, prior to mounting the
device; to be sure that Velcro or Tape will not harm the surface.
Step 8. Final Testing and Troubleshooting
Step 8.1 Check wiring and antenna cabling
Once all connections have been made, double check your connections
and assure that the antenna cabling has been installed so that
it is securely mounted away from hinges and/or other moving
parts that could damage the cable.
Step 8.2 Final installation testing and calibration
Position the vehicle so that the green GPS and System LED’s
are on. Leave the ignition on for approximately 15 minutes. This
is required for the WTAVL device to obtain an initial GPS location
fix and is not necessary after the initial installation.
Step 8.3 Troubleshooting: Symptoms and Solutions
WTAVL device is only partially functional.
1. Check for a bad ground wire connection.
Device does not power up.
1. Check the power.
2. Check the fuse.
3. Check the ground connection.
Device has power, but no GPS or System LEDs light up.
1. Check antenna connections.
2. Check that GPS antenna is not blocked by metal.
3. Device is out of RF System coverage area. Refer to the Skytel
coverage map as noted in the User Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I have the device but I don't think everything is there,
what should be in the box?
Instruction Manuals (on CD)
1 bag of mounting hardware and cable ties
1 WTAVL Installation CD for Microsoft® Windows Java™ Plug-in
1 WTAVL device
1 dual-band antenna kit with mounting adhesive pad (1GPS and
Data System)
1 main wiring harness (Hardwire installation harness)
v (Optional) Accessory harness (Cigarette lighter adapter, purchased
separately)
2. I have connected the device but I do not see indication lights.
1. Confirm that the device has 12V constant power on the red
wire.
2. Check to see if the black wire from the device is grounded
to chassis.
3. Check to see that the 3-amp fuse on the red power wire is
working properly.
4. Verify that the connector is correctly plugged in to the device.
3. I verified the connections, but the device still has no power.
Call Wireless Telematics or your dealer for troubleshooting
information. You should be getting a constant red LED indication
when the ignition is off in the hardwire configuration.
4. What do the four LED’s on the device mean/do?
1. See Step 6 and figure 5.
5. What happens if power on the red wire is interrupted to the
device?
The device will restart and continue working as prior to the
power interruption.
6. What happens when the device's power is restored?
The device reverts to its status prior to the power interruption.
7. Are there any other accessories available for the device?
Yes, call Wireless Telematics for details:
For permanent heavy commercial exterior installations,
a WTAVL dome GPS/RF antenna allows you to install the antenna
on top of heavy equipment.
8. What if I have additional questions before, during, or after
the installation?
Wireless Telematics provides 24 hour website assistance, as well
as technical support.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL US AT 1-513-769-3252
