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Asset Gateway Mini 3-wire and 8-wire Cable Installation for Heavy Equipment

Updated

This article provides step-by-step instructions for installing an Asset Gateway Mini on heavy equipment. 

For alternative configurations: 

Overview

Fleets can install a cable-powered Asset Gateway Mini with a 3-wire or an 8-wire cable on heavy equipment. 

  • Ideal for heavy equipment: Skid steers, excavators, mowers, chippers, and agricultural equipment. 
  • Tracking capability: Real-time minute-by-minute tracking when the device is receiving constant power from the asset. Falls back to battery-powered scheduled and on-demand pings when the device is not receiving constant power from the asset.
  • Power source: You can choose the external power source from the following options: 
    • Connect to the asset’s battery - This powers the device continuously, regardless of whether the asset’s ignition is ON or OFF
    • Connect to the asset's ignition line - This powers the device only when the asset’s ignition is ON.

What’s in the box?

  • Asset Gateway Mini device
  • Self-tapping screws
  • Wood screws
  • Pinhole reset tool

Sold separately and required for this installation

CABLE-AG-31.2-3WR (3-wire) or CABLE-AG-31.2-8WR (8-wire)

Tools 

  • Power drill
  • Drill bits
  • Screwdriver set (including a Torx-10 screwdriver)
  • Wire strippers
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire crimpers
  • Butt splices
  • Ring terminals
  • Pinhole reset tool (included)

3-wire or 8-wire cable components 

  • Blue connector end: Plugs into Asset Gateway Mini
  • Voltage regulator: Located ~1 foot from the blue end
  • Wire end options:
    • 3-wire version:
      •  🔴 Red wire: Power
      •  ⚫ Black wire: Ground
      •  🟢 Green wire: AUX Line 1
    • 8-wire version:
      • 🔴 Red wire: Power
      • ⚫ Black wire: Ground
      • 🟢 Green wire: AUX Line 1
      • 🟠 Orange wire: AUX Line 2
      • 🟤 Brown wire: AUX Line 3
      • Not currently intended for use: 🟣 Purple, 🟡 Yellow, 🔵 Blue wires

Installing an Asset Gateway Mini on heavy equipment 

Assigning an Asset Gateway to an asset

  1. Locate your device serial number on the label on the front of the device or the craft box.
  2. Use either the Fleet App or the Fleet Dashboard to assign your Asset Gateway to your asset.

Using Fleet App

  1. Go to More > Devices.
  2. Tap Install Asset Gateway.
  3. Proceed with the steps to assign your Asset Gateway to your asset.

Using Fleet Dashboard

Create an asset profile and assign an Asset Gateway on the Fleet Dashboard.

Selecting a location

Follow this guidance on positioning your device:

  • Find a flat mounting location.
  • Ensure a clear sky view for optimal performance.
  • Select a vertical position if possible (but horizontal or vertical are acceptable).
  • If the Asset Gateway is placed in a vertical position, ensure the Motive logo faces upward when mounted for best LTE and GPS performance.

Verifying GPS and LTE

  1. Holding the device in your desired location, press the pinhole using the provided pinhole reset tool.
  2. Expected result: LED will flash blue. This means:
  • Device is activated.
  • Device is attempting to send its first location.
  • Action: proceed to the next step.

If you see a different color, follow the guidance below before continuing the setup:

  • Solid White: Device is booting up or updating.
    Action: Wait for the device to complete the process
  • Solid Orange: Device has overheated.
    Action: Allow the device to cool down before continuing.
  • Solid Red: Device has a low battery.
    Action: Use a different device to continue setup.
  1. Wait approximately 1 minute, and then check the asset’s profile in the Fleet App or Fleet Dashboard. You should see a location update. 
  2. If a location update does not arrive after ~2 minutes, your device may be in an area of low cellular service or may be obstructed from GPS or cellular service. Consider moving the device to a different position.
  3. Once the device has successfully reported a location, proceed to mount the device. 

Mounting the device

  1. Use the provided screws (self-tapping or wood screws, depending on the surface).
  2. Securely fasten the device to the surface with a power drill.

Preparing the Asset Gateway for cable power and connecting it

  1. Remove the side panel with a screwdriver.
  2. Unscrew the blue cap inside.
  3. Align the white arrow on the cable end with the white arrow on the device.
  4. Plug in the blue connector firmly.
  5. Tighten the blue cap to secure the cable.
  6. Replace the side panel and tighten the screws.

Connecting the black wire to ground

  1. Find a suitable GROUND connection post on your asset. 
  2. Remove the nut from the GROUND connection post.
  3. Attach the ring terminal from the Asset Gateway Mini's BLACK wire.
  4. Replace the nut on the connection post. 

Connecting the red wire to power 

It is critical that you are aware of the implications of your choice of power source connection. You have two options. 

Option 1: Connect the red wire to the asset’s battery

Benefits:

  • Minute-by-minute tracking even when the equipment is off.
  • Tracks assets during transport on a flatbed/trailer.
  • Can pair with the Motor Vehicle Gateway on a transport vehicle.
  • Provides 24/7 visibility.

Considerations:

  • Very low current draw, which does not drain a heavy-duty battery on an asset that recharges the battery with an alternator. 

Option 2: Connect the red wire to the asset’s ignition line

Benefits:

  • Only tracks when equipment is operating
  • No power draw when equipment is off.

Limitations:

  • No real-time tracking during transit (if the asset is off, on flatbed for instance). Only scheduled and on-demand pings.
  • Falls back to scheduled pings when off.
  • May miss unauthorized movement.

Once you have made your decision on the choice of power connection point, connect the Asset Gateway Mini’s RED wire to that chosen connection point. 

Connecting the green wire to the asset’s ignition line 

The green wire monitors engine hours whenever ignition is on. 

  1. Locate ignition-switched power source.
  2. Connect the green wire using a butt splice or a ring terminal.
  3. Verify: Power present only when the key is on

Optional wire auxiliary connections (if using 8-wire cable only) 

Future-proof your 8-wire install by optionally connecting the Orange and Brown wires to additional functions that provide a voltage. 

For example: 

  • An asset’s lever arm.
  • An asset’s bucket lift.

In the future, Motive plans to enable additional monitoring and customization based on your configured use of AUX wires.

Optional power verification

  1. If you have connected the Red wire to:
    • The asset’s battery, leave the asset’s ignition OFF, and proceed. 
    • The asset’s ignition line, turn the asset’s ignition ON, and proceed.
  1. If your Asset Gateway Mini is behaving correctly and wired correctly, it will receive cable power and consequently provide location updates every 1 minute when cable power is flowing. 
  2. Observe your asset in the Motive Fleet App and Fleet Dashboard to confirm that updates arrive every 1 minute. You can observe this by noting the ‘last updated’ time for the asset. 

Operating behaviors by power source configuration

Power source connected to the asset’s battery

Engine Off
  • Continuous minute-by-minute tracking
Engine On
  • Real-time minute-by-minute tracking continues 
  • Engine hours tracking

Ignition-connected configuration

Engine Off
  • Device enters low-power mode
  • Scheduled pings only (8-12 hour intervals) and on-demand pings, if Locate My Asset is enabled
Engine On
  • Real-time minute-by-minute tracking
  • Engine hours tracking
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