One of the advantages behind installing a fleet tracking system on your vehicle is that it fulfills multiple purposes.
It can act as an anti-theft device, and also helps you to monitor the drivers.
It is quite indispensable if you are running businesses such as ambulance services or car rentals.
How Does GPS Tracking System Help?
You must never confuse a GPS tracking system with a navigation device for a car.
A car navigation device only offers navigational support.
However, a GPS tracker performs universal functions which have made it such a widely used device in different industries:
A GPS tracking device works in coordination with the most advanced global positioning system and delivers real-time location of a particular object.
The tracker provides you detailed information about speed, movement, directions and location of the vehicle.
Another plus point of using this tracking system is that its server stores all the data in its centralized database which anyone can assess for referring in the future.
The system also reveals the halting time of the vehicles at multiple locations.
The device makes it easy to download vehicle performance data and put into use programmed emergency alternatives.
Geo-fencing gives you the option to set up an alarm that acts when a vehicle chooses to shift from the direction predefined as per the program.
Setting Up GPS Tracking System
There are two options of GPS tracking system – Hardwired and Portable Tracking devices.
1.Installing Hardwired GPS Tracking System In A Vehicle
The hardwired tracking system uses the vehicle as the source of energy which is why it has to be wired within the vehicle.
Deciding Location And Placement Of Installation
Firstly you must decide the place of installation for the tracker. More often, businesses prefer to get their fleet tracking device installed where it is easy to hide from the view of thieves as well as drivers.
Placing the device under the dashboard of trucks or vehicles can be a good idea.
Make sure that the high-end imports under the dashboard do not have a metal foil or else the decision to fix the device under the mount of dashboard may not work.
Keep in mind that the GPS signal has the ability to penetrate glass, foam, plastic, wood, and fiberglass.
However, it cannot penetrate metal and hence putting the GPS system under the hood of a truck or a car can never work.
Always check that the GPS tracker is away from all types of electronic devices such as radios. It will make sure that the possibility of feedback is eliminated during the transmission.
Installing the GPS tracking system far away below the dashboard can affect the signal of the device. It will continue to function in areas having strong wireless data coverage, but the quality of signal will drop in those areas having the limited wireless coverage.
How To Install?
Firstly, place the tracking device at the windshield’s base under the dashboard. It is better to secure the transceiver with a zip-tie for preventing it from falling off.
Attach the wiring harness securely to the transceiver and then look out for a constant power source of 12 VDC.
By using poke and wrap technique connect the power source to a red wire on the GPS tracking device.
Look out for the ignition/accessory wire inside the vehicle and connect it to the white wire on the tracking device.
Lastly, connect the ground wire on the device with the ground wire on the vehicle.
Tips For Using Power Source For Hard-Wired Tracking Device
The tracking device should get the power directly from the ignition column which receives constant ignition and power since it is the cleanest power source.
Avoid using radio as a source of power.
Avoid connecting red and white wires together and attaching them to a constant source of power.
Always make sure that the white wire is attached to accessory or ignition wire.
Make sure that the device continues to get the 12V power even when the ignition is turned off.
For testing it, you can take the help of multi-meter. Check out the power during both starting up and shutdown and ensure that the power does not hit below 9 volts.
Keep the wires away from getting connected to airbag as it can compromise your overall safety.
2.Installing Portable Tracking Devices In Vehicles
For installing portable tracking devices in vehicles you require a dedicated power source. Compared to the installation of the hard-wired tracking device, this process is much simpler and can be executed without any professional help.
How To Install?
Things that you require for installing portable tracking device include a GSP device, a weather-proof case, and a magnet-resistant case.
In this process, you have to use dedicated batteries for powering the tracking device.
Place the active GPS tracking device into the magnet-resistant case.
Make sure that the device is placed in an area where it is not possible for anyone to find or see it.
Testing Installed Device
After the installation has been executed, it is time to test the installed GPS tracking system whether it is working as efficiently as expected.
Take out the vehicle for a drive.
Check the location, speed, and the stop timings and note them down yourself.
Also check whether the case has been safely placed after the driving, exactly where you have kept it. It is to ensure that the case does not move or shift during driving.
After completing the test drive, check the collected data on your mobile device or computer collected by the GPS tracking system.
Compare this data with the notes you have made manually.
In the case both the figures match with each other, it is an indication that you have installed the GPS vehicle tracking system successfully.
For personal usage, people prefer using OBD ports as they promise hassle-free installation. But anyone can remove them easily and hence should not be used for businesses.
For installing fleet management software, fleet owners mostly prefer hard-wire installation to avoid tampering by the employees and prevent car theft.
