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Asset Gateway Mini 3-wire Cable Installation for Trailers

Updated

This article provides step-by-step instructions for installing an Asset Gateway Mini on a Trailer via a 3-wire cable. 

For alternative configurations: 

Overview 

Fleets can install a cable-powered Asset Gateway Mini with a 3-wire cable on trailers. 

  • Ideal for trailers: Commercial Trailers, Chassis, Agricultural trailers, smaller cargo trailers, RVs, etc. 
  • Tracking capability: Real-time minute-by-minute tracking when tethered to a powered vehicle and falls back to battery-powered scheduled pings when disconnected. 
  • Power source: Constant power from trailer connector junction box

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

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 cable components 

  • Blue connector end: Plugs into Asset Gateway Mini
  • Voltage regulator: Located ~1 foot from the blue end
  • Wire ends:
    •  🔴 Red wire: Power
    •  ⚫ Black wire: Ground
    •  🟢 Green wire: AUX Line 1

Installing an Asset Gateway Mini on a Trailer

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 for the Asset Gateway

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 and 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: If you have a different device available, use that one instead 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.

Electrical junction box connections

Accessing the junction box

  1. Locate and open the electrical junction box on your trailer. 
  2. You should find a panel with 7 connector points in it. 

Preparing the cable

  1. Run the open wire end of the cable into the junction box.
  2. Optional: Trim excess cable if needed.
  • Cut only between the voltage regulator and the bare wire end.
  • Never cut between the red connector and the voltage regulator.
  1. Slice cable insulation ~6 inches from the end.
  2. Peel back to expose individual wires.

Preparing the terminal 

  1. Identify the RED and BLACK wires (primary connections).
  2. Remove 1 inch of insulation from the RED wire and from the BLACK wire. Use wire strippers or wire cutters for clean cuts.
  3. Form a small loop at the stripped end of the RED wire, and another small loop at the stripped end of the BLACK wire.
  4. Insert each loop into a ring terminal.
  5. Crimp each ring terminal securely in place using a wire crimper.

Connecting the BLACK wire to the correct post for GROUND

  1. In nearly all junction boxes, the GROUND connection post is provisioned by a WHITE wire. Ensure you have identified the correct GROUND connection post for your asset, then proceed. 
  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 the correct post for POWER

Connecting the RED wire to the correct source is essential for the proper operation of the Asset Gateway Mini. The RED wire must be connected to a power source that remains active continuously when the tethered vehicle's ignition is on. The correct connection point varies depending on the type of asset, so follow the instructions below carefully. 

  • Asset Gateway Mini performance with correct connections: Real-time, minute-by-minute GPS pings when the asset is tethered to a vehicle with ignition on.

  • Asset Gateway Mini performance with incorrect connections: Less frequent, intermittent GPS pings due to the device operating in battery-only mode.

For commercial trailers, chassis, or agricultural trailers with an SAE S650 heavy-duty 7-way connector

SAE S650 Junction Box – Typical Color Mapping:

  1. Locate the Auxiliary/ABS Power connector pin. 
  • This is typically identified via a BLUE wire coming from the asset itself, and is sometimes labeled “BLU”. 
  • Note: The Aux/ABS Power pin is traditionally called “Pin 7” but it may or may not be located in the 7th position in the junction box. It is often located either in position 4 or position 7 in the junction box. 
  • Note: You may find that other wires, of various colors, may already be attached to the receiving end of the connection post. Disregard the color of those wires and focus on the source wire as shown in the diagram above to identify the correct connection post.
  1. Remove the nut from the Aux/ABS connection post.
  2. Attach the ring terminal from the Asset Gateway Mini's RED wire.
  3. Replace and tighten the nut on the connection post. 

For RV Trailers and Small Cargo Trailers

These assets have different wiring and coloring standards than commercial trailers. Typically, the junction box will provide constant power to the BLACK wire, which is often the “12V Power” supply. 

  1. Consult your owner’s manual and test the power source to ensure that constant power is flowing when the ignition is on.
  2. Once you have identified the correct connection post, connect your Asset Gateway Mini’s RED wire to that post. 
  3. Remove the nut from the connection point.
  4. Attach the ring terminal from the Asset Gateway Mini's RED wire.
  5. Replace and tighten the nut on the connection point.

Optional Power Verification

  1. If you are able to tether a vehicle to the trailer, do so and then turn the vehicle on. 
  2. If your device is behaving correctly, it will update its location in the Motive Fleet App and Fleet Dashboard every 1 minute when cable power is flowing. You can observe this behavior by noting the ‘last updated’ time for the asset. 

Final Assembly

  1. Replace the electrical junction box cover.
  2. Tighten all the electrical junction box screws.
  3. Verify the cable routing is secure and protected.

Operating behavior

  • When tethered to a powered vehicle:
    • Receives constant power from the trailer connector.
    • Provides minute-by-minute real-time tracking.
    • Eligible for automated Travel Groups with moving vehicles that use Motive Vehicle Gateway.
  • When untethered to a powered vehicle, or when tethered to a vehicle that is not powered:
    • Asset Gateway Mini automatically switches to the internal battery.
    • Returns to scheduled GPS ping intervals (e.g., 8h, 12h, or 24h).
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