1. Motive Help Center
  2. Hardware
  3. Vehicle Gateway

Enable PTO/AUX Input for Vehicles

Updated

Enable PTO/AUX Input for Vehicles lets fleets capture accurate activity data from auxiliary equipment. Once configured, these AUX inputs feed directly into Motive’s platform, powering usage reporting, idling classification, and safety or operations workflows.

Overview

  • Per‑vehicle PTO/AUX input control: Fleet Admins can selectively enable AUX inputs (such as PTO or other auxiliary equipment) for individual vehicles, so only relevant assets are tracked.
  • Built‑in signal validation: The feature automatically surfaces detected AUX activity and flags configurations that need confirmation, helping verify wiring and ensure the right input is mapped before data is used.
  • Reliable PTO/AUX data for reporting and alerts: Once confirmed, AUX inputs stream accurate equipment‑usage signals to Motive, powering AUX activity reports, idling classification, and safety or operations alerts.

Installing PTO (Power Take-Off) AUX Cable-5005

Installation Requirements

Note: Some additional parts and tools may be required depending on the installation.

Estimated Installation Time

  • 1-2 hours

Tools

  • Motive Hardware
    • Motive Vehicle Gateway
    • Any existing cable for Vehicle Gateway (Cable-3XXX)
    • PTO AUX Cable (Cable-5005)
  • Tools & Materials Needed (case by case)
    • Voltmeter
    • Solder iron or splicing tool
    • Wire stripper
    • Wire cutters
    • 22AWG – 18AWG wire
    • Electrical tape or heat shrink
    • Ring terminals or other bare wire connection methods
    • Zip-ties

Steps: Installing the PTO AUX Cable-5005

STEP A: Locate the PTO input source

  1. Find the input signal on the vehicle that is used to monitor the on/off status of the PTO equipment. This is a voltage source that needs to be between 2.2V and 48V (steady-state) in the ON position, and 0V in the OFF position in order to be compatible with the Motive device.
  2. Depending on the PTO type, the input voltage source we splice into to monitor the on/off state of the equipment varies. A common voltage source is the PTO Engaged LED switch on the dashboard.

STEP B: Connect the PTO input source to Cable-5005

  1. Remove the protective cap on the PTO connection of Cable-5005, uncovering the AUX and GND wires.

Installation_Guide_How_to_Install_the_PTO__power_take-off__AUX_Cable-5005-01.jpg

  1. Connect the AUX input of Cable-5005 to the chosen voltage source from Step A. The diagram below shows a common case where the input voltage is taken between a switch and a PTO Engaged LED. This varies from vehicle to vehicle.

Installation_Guide_How_to_Install_the_PTO__power_take-off__AUX_Cable-5005-02.jpg

Note: The Cable-5005 GROUND wire should only be connected when the PTO equipment ground is separate from the vehicle ground. In most in-cab installations you only need to connect the AUX wire and leave the GROUND wire disconnected.

STEP C: Connect Cable-5005 to the Vehicle Gateway

  1. Connect the Cable-5005 in-line between the Vehicle Gateway and an existing Motive 3k series vehicle cable.
  2. The diagram below shows the connection configuration. Motive’s Bendix cable is another vehicle-specific system that you can connect to and is optional in this case (view Bendix support article here).

Installation_Guide_How_to_Install_the_PTO__power_take-off__AUX_Cable-5005-03.jpg

STEP D: Turn on PTO equipment and verify connection using the Vehicle Gateway’s LEDs

  1. Once Cable-5005 is connected and plugged into the Vehicle Gateway and the existing vehicle cable (cable-3XXX), turn on the PTO equipment and watch the Vehicle Gateway LEDs for the following light patterns to confirm that the PTO input is detected.

Installation_Guide_How_to_Install_the_PTO__power_take-off__AUX_Cable-5005-04.jpg

Viewing PTO 

  1. Log in to the Fleet Dashboard > click Live tab > More dropdown > select All PTO vehicles or PTO engaged as required.
  2.  

Enabling PTO/AUX input

1. Log in to the Fleet Dashboard > click Admin.

2. Click Organization > Vehicles. 

2. Click three dots > View vehicle details. 

3. Click Add in the Add / Assign Devices section for Auxiliary / PTO Cabled. 

4. Add the Input number and Equipment type. 

5. Click the Report this equipment as dropdown and select the required option. 

6. Click to add Fleet Manager or External Recipients. 

7. Add details > click Save. 

8. Click Save in the Auxiliary / PTO Cabled section.

AUX Activity Detail Report

1. Click Reports > PTO / AUX Activity Detail. 

2. Create a customized view of the report by using filters like Date, Group, Vehicle, All Inputs, All Signals, and All Equipment Types.

Requesting videos on AUX Activity

1. Click Request Video to get a video on AUX activity > click Request Video.

A toggle message appears at the top of the screen that confirms the video request has been sent.

 

 

Was this article helpful?

Share this with others