Install and On-board DM-G120 Device

The following article explains how to on-board and install a Digital Matter G120 device.

A Digital Matter G120 device is a compact 4G GPS tracking device with a variety of inputs and outputs to cater for demanding applications.

A detailed G120 data-sheet can be downloaded from here.

Before a G120 device is installed in a machine it needs to be on-boarded so it can correctly transmit data to the Virtual Superintendent (Virtual Super).  The on-boarding process links the G120 device to a specific machine. On-boarding is completed using the SafeSite mobile app, which is configured for this purpose. Only SafeSite users with special permissions (SafeSite Superuser) are able to on-board a G120 device.

If you do not have SafeSite app installed on your mobile device, you must do so before you can complete the G120 on-boarding process.

Installing the SafeSite app

This graphic demonstrates the steps required to install and register the SafeSite mobile app.

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Once the SafeSite app is installed on your device you need to have the SafeSite Superuser permission set. Talk to the the Virtual Superintendent administrator for your project to have this setting applied to the SafeSite app on your phone.

On-boarding a G120 Device

A G120 device needs to be on-boarded so that it can transmit data to the Virtual Super. The process of on-boarding links each device to a specific machine.  On-boarding is completed using the SafeSite app.

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1
In the SafeSite app, select the On-board option from the Menu button
2
Select the Plant button
3
Enter the machine details, including taking a photo
4
In the Tracking Method(s) section, select the Digital Matter device   
5
You need to record the G120 device Serial Number. To do this you can either press the Scan button then point the phone's camera at the serial number bar code on the back of the G120 device to scan it. Alternatively, you can  manually key in the serial number
NOTE: Take care not to scan the IMEI number instead of the serial number. The serial number is the 6 character number represented by the top bar code on the device (see image above).
6
Confirm the details are correct then press the On-board Asset button

,Installing a G120 device on a Machine

  • G120 devices are configured to run whenever a machine is running
  • G120 devices typically mount under the dashboard of the machine - but you should avoid mounting them in areas surrounded by metal as this can affect the GPS signal
  • G120 devices take power from 12V or 24V machines

Please visit the Digital Matter G120 Support page for detailed install instructions.


Insert SIM Card and Connect Battery

These instructions are important as they explain how to connect the internal battery of the G120 device and insert the SIM card before the device is installed in a machine.

  • Each G120 device comes without the top cover being attached so the SIM card can be installed and the battery attached.
  • The G120 device will not work if the the SIM card is not installed and the battery is not connected.

For more details please visit the Digital Matter support site, located here.

Battery in the G120 needs to be connected

SIM card needs to be inserted

The G120 Wire Definition

The G120 has a 24 wire harness. Typically the install only uses the following 3 wires:

  • Power (Power IN) - Red, Pin 24
  • Ignition - White, Pin 23
  • Ground - Black, Pin 12

IMPORTANT: You must ensure that no power is present on the ignition wire when the machine is turned off.  If power is always present, the machine will not know to sign-on and therefore will not be detected by the Virtual Super.


NOTE: If the machine has no dedicated ignition wire, connect both the power wire (pin 24) and ignition wire (pin 23) together then connect them to the power supply on the machine.  As per the previous important note, you must ensure that the power supply is not live when the machine is turned off / isolated, or the machine will not know to sign-on and will not be detected by the Virtual Super.

Connecting the G120 to a Load or Dump Switch in a Machine

For hauling machines, it is extremely beneficial to get the G120 device to record load events (typically Scrapers) or more commonly dump events (Trucks and Scrapers). It is possible to record both Load and Dump events on the one machine using the G120 device. These events give valuable insights into where material is being loaded and/or dumped.

To record Load events: Connect Pin 19 (Brown wire - Digital Input 4) to a loading switch or wire that has an increased voltage when the machine is loading. A change in voltage from less than 2 volts to greater than 2 volts on Pin 19 will allow the detection of Load events.

To record Dump events: Connect Pin 16 (Pink wire - Digital Input 1) to a dumping switch or wire that has an increased voltage when the machine is dumping. A change in voltage from less than 2 volts to greater than 2 volts on Pin 16 will allow the detection of Dump events.

OEM Installer Device Check

Once the G120 device has been installed, the installer can enter the serial number into the Digital Matter Installer Device Check to ensure that the device is correctly communicating data.

This link will take you to the Digital Matter Installer Device Check.

The Installer needs to check the following:

  • Does the Last Communication say - Now?
  • Does the Last Commit report say - Now?
  • Does the battery level have a green tick?

  • Is the External Power is at the expected level?

    Note: If you have a 12V supply, the installer device check should also say 12V

  • Do any Digital Inputs (e.g. Digital Input 4) need to be activated?

    Toggle the inputs to ensure that what is displayed (on or off) is what is physically occurring



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Process/Things to Check on the OEM Installer Page

On the OEM Installer page, enter the device serial number, click Find

  1. Check the device has connected recently
  2. Check the Last Commit Time is the same as the Last Communication time (or within a couple of minutes) - if the device has not committed recently, all following data will be out of date (commit = successful data upload)
  3. Check the device has got a recent GPS fix
  4. Check the internal battery is OK
  5. Check the power is what you expect - with the ignition on, and ignition off (make sure to refresh after toggling) - this confirms the power source is constant.
  6. Check the Ignition toggles correctly when you turn ignition off/on in vehicle.

Using a Relay for Alternator Power

When sourcing power directly from an alternator, and the DM device does not detect this power, using a relay is is an effective way to solve this issue. The relay is triggered by the alternator power and will route a separate voltage to the DM device that it will detect when the relay is closed.

Click here to view a circuit diagram using a relay.

Important Information

  • The G120 has an internal self-resetting thermal fuse - meaning external fuses aren't needed. There are no external GPS or cellular antennas to fit so the install is straight forward.
  • G120 devices will perform when installed under the dash, under a trailer, etc and you generally don't really need to take special care to orient them in the correct way. In most cases, the most convenient install location is the best. However, there are some rules of thumb for the best results. A good installation seeks to strike a balance between providing the best signal reception device for performance, but also takes into account concealing the device so it is protected.

For more information including where to mount devices in machines - click here and navigate to Instructions for Mounting.

Once the G120 device is on-boarded using the SafeSite app, and installed in the machine with the internal battery connected and a SIM card inserted, it will automatically start reporting into the Virtual Superintendent as soon as power is supplied e.g. the machine is turned on. No additional configuration is needed.  

IMPORTANT: Please take care when inserting the wiring harness connector into the G120 device. See details below. 

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