Introduction
This installation guide provides instructions on installing the Rand McNally Hardwired Asset Tracker onto your trailing gear, such as Dollies and Flat Tops using the lighting circuit to provide power for the device. However, the Rand McNally Hardwired Asset Tracker can also be installed on many other powered asset types following the same steps in this guide, including:
- Generators.
- Lighting towers.
- Mobile electronic traffic signage.
- Large to medium plant equipment.
- Off-road equipment.
Important: The most important thing to remember when installing a Rand McNally Asset Tracker on any asset type, is to ensure that the device has a clear line of site to the sky to maximise it’s GPS performance and battery life.
You will need
- Your Rand McNally Hardwired Asset tracking device.
- Recommended tools and sundries (see below)
- A mobile device with the Rand McNally Manager app installed and access to the Installer portal (or web app).
- Before installation, please ensure your asset ignition or power circuit is switched off and the asset is parked outside on a level surface with a clear view of the sky.
Tip: Create Rand Platform user accounts for any colleague or contractor who will be completing your device installations. Invite them with the user role of “Installer” and their access will be restricted to the Installer Portal only.
Recommended Tools:
- Cordless Drill
- 5mm Drill bit
- Step drill
- Philips and flathead screwdrivers
- Side cutters
- Solder/soldering iron
- Heat gun/torch
Recommended sundries:
- Heat shrink
- 12mm conduit
- Solder
- Cable ties
- 13mm straight adaptor or 12mm 90 degrees elbow
- Silicone
- Tek Screws
- Blue Point terminal blocks
Download the Rand McNally Manager app from your preferred app store.
Device Installation
Step 1: Choose the device installation location
- Ensure that you choose an installation location in which the device will not be damaged during normal use of the trailing asset
- Do not install the device in a location where the top of the device will be facing the ground as this will impact its ability to capture accurate GPS coordinates and transmit data
Step 2: Mount the device
- Cut cable to length – from mounting point to existing wiring junction box – allow a further 300mm to go into the junction box.
- Cut conduit to length and heat shrink at tracker end
- Run a bead of silicone around the back edge of the tracker
- Drill out 5mm pilot holes where you will be mounting the tracker and secure in place using Tek screws
Step 3: Wiring the device into the junction box
- Remove junction box cover.
- Drill out 16mm hole in j/box using step drill and fit either straight or 90-degree elbow
- Cut conduit to length and run the cable into the j/box
- Cut tracker cable to length; this means cutting off the 3 amp fuse holders
- Solder the red 3 amp fuse holder back onto the red wire
- Locate the existing park signal wire and terminate the red wire to it (the park signal wire should be brown)
- Locate the existing earth wiring in the j/box and terminate the black wire of the tracker to it (earth wiring should be either black or white)
Step 4: Activate your device on Rand Platform
- Log into the Rand McNally Manager app (the web application can also be used) and navigate to the Installer Portal v2 under the Tools menu.
- Enter the device ID (the ESN located under the barcode) into the search bar and click ‘GO.’
- Click on the device to open the device details screen.
- Select your installation option;
- Link to Existing Asset → Search by the Asset Label or Registration to select the Asset you want to install the Device into.
- Create a New Asset.
- Link to Existing Asset → Search by the Asset Label or Registration to select the Asset you want to install the Device into.
- Fill out the asset information;
- Label (Mandatory) – This is your asset’s name on the platform (e.g. Vehicle identifier/asset number, nickname, registration, etc.). If you select Link to Existing Asset, the Assets current label will display in this field.
- Group – Select the Group to assign the Asset to. The default group is “All Assets” when creating a new Asset. If you select Link to Existing Asset, the Group the Existing Asset is currently assigned to will display in this field. Learn more about Groups.
- Fuel Type – Select the Fuel Type of the Asset (this field will only display for Telematics device types that can capture fuel data).
- Rego – Asset registration (Licence plate number).
- ODO – Current odometer reading of the Asset (relevant for vehicles).
- Runtime – Current Engine hours (relevant for plant equipment and off-road equipment).
- Installer – The name of the person installing the device.
- Installation Location – The geographic location where the installation was completed (e.g. street address, depot/terminal name, etc.)
- Start vehicle ignition and idle the vehicle OR switch on the power circuit of the Asset.
- Confirm device activation using the device health field to check its current status.
- Not Deployed: Click the refresh button to run the device online check. Give the device several minutes to come online.
- Online: The device is activated, and you can proceed to the next step.
- To complete the installation, click the Complete Install button.
Note: The Complete Install button will only be active to select once you have entered an Asset Label.- You will be displayed a Success dialogue.
- Close the dialogue by selecting OK.
- The Device page will reload; you will see the linked asset details and an Uninstall button.
- You will be displayed a Success dialogue.
Step 5: Upload installation photos.
After the device is securely mounted and you have activated it on Rand Platform, upload images of the installation. You can view these later, and they will aid you with future support and troubleshooting.
- Use your mobile device to take photos of:
- The device’s label/barcode showing the device ID/IMEI/ESN.
- The securely mounted device.
- The Asset’s VIN plate (where relevant).
- The Asset dashboard clearly showing the ODO/Engine Hours reading (where relevant).
- The Asset’s license plate.
- Return to the Rand McNally installer portal on your mobile device.
- Return to the device detail screen
- Return to the device detail screen
- Select the ‘Docs’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Select ‘Choose file’, which will open your device’s file browser/camera roll.
- Select the images from your camera roll/photo library and upload.
Need Extra Support?
We’re here to help. If you need support during your installation you can reach out to the Rand McNally Support Team below
Installation by customer required. Rand McNally is not responsible for any damage or injury caused by installation.