Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/620628
sometimes more in-depth informa- tion like engine temps and fuel economy depending on the pro- vider. Some vehicle telematics have built-in antennas; others may have an antennae that you attach to the dash or window with an adhesive mount. For heavy trucks and off-road equipment telematics, the principles are the same but the installation of third party telematics boxes can be more involved, usually with a wired connection to a J1939 bus on heavy trucks or the ECM/ECU on heavy equipment. These are the comput- ers, the brains if you will, that run your equipment. ECM is the elec- tronic control module, sometimes also referred to as the electronic control unit. If you are using a third-party or aftermarket telematics system, expect to pay $100 to $500 per box depending on the amount of data and service. Off-road telemat- ics boxes tend to be ruggedized to withstand dust, water and vibration and thus are more expensive. The web access fee will run from $15 to $50 a month per machine depend- ing on whether the unit uses cell or satellite communications, the data plan, refresh rate and other variables. While there are a number of third party telematics providers today, most new heavy duty trucks and off-road equipment can be purchased with factory-installed telematics. And almost all the OEMs that provide telematics will give you free access to the information via their web portals for the first few years of the unit's life. Additionally, Ford has partnered with Telogis to provide factory-installed telematics systems on its commercial trucks and GM offers the OnStar system as well. EW: How do I install a third- party telematics box on a heavy duty truck or piece of equipment? DS: This is something any com- petent mechanic can do. Locate a power source to tie into for both full-time and key-on power. Then tie into the machine ECU/ECM circuit, usually with one wire and a splice. If an external antenna is used, the box can be mounted anywhere convenient, usually somewhere inside or outside the cab. These typically require a clear "view" of the sky to send data but some can transmit through metal, glass or plastic. Manufacturers recommend you keep the location of the antennae discrete to prevent damage and to keep thieves from breaking the antennae and possibly compromising the unit's anti-theft capabilities. If you want to expand on the provider's functionality beyond the basic information feeds, you can also connect the telematics box to sensors, starter relays, etc., located throughout the equip- ment. These additions can count or monitor activity beyond the typical measurements taken from the engine and transmission, such as the number of times the dump body is raised on a truck, PTO time, starter disconnect, etc. Most equipment and trucks built within the last 20 years will have a J1939 bus or ECU/ECM that you can tap into. If you're unsure consult with your telematics provider. Note that bad connections are the most problematic issue in an install. To make sure your install lasts, use solder connections, star washers and shrink tubing where possible. Bad grounds will drive you crazy looking for erratic voltage issues. January 2016 | EquipmentWorld.com 40 telematics | continued Rugged construction and vibration isolation mounts are desirable for telematics antennae on heavy equipment. Photo: Zonar A plug-and-play telematics dongle plugs into your OBDII port and have you up and running data in minutes.