Install and On-board DM-G70 Device

The following article explains how to on-board and install a Digital Matter G70 device.

A Digital Matter G70 device is a robust and compact GPS tracking device with a variety of inputs and outputs to cater for demanding applications.  G70 devices can be mounted on machines and used in conjunction with the SafeSite mobile application and the Virtual Superintendent (Virtual Super) software to give accurate information about the movement of your fleet and materials on site.

A detailed G70 datasheet can be downloaded here.

Before a G70 device can be installed on a machine it needs to be on-boarded so that it can correctly transmit data to the Virtual Super.  On-boarding links the G70 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 G70 device.

If you do not have the SafeSite app installed on your mobile device, you must do so in order to complete the G70 on-boarding process.

Installing the SafeSite app

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

On-boarding a G70 Device

A G70 device needs to be on-boarded before it is installed on a machine so that it is able to transmit data to the Virtual Super.  The process of on-boarding links each G70 device to a specific machine.

On-board G70 device with SafeSite

Follow these steps to on-board a G70 device before it is installed on the machine:

1
In the SafeSite Menu, select the On-board option
2
Select the Plant option
3
Enter the machine details, including taking a photo.
4
In the Tracking Method(s) section, select the Digital Matter option
5
You need to record the G70 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 G70 device. Alternatively, you can manually key in the serial number
NOTE: Take care not to enter the IMEI number instead of the serial number. The serial number is the 6 character number represented with the bar code on the device - see image below.
6
Confirm that the details are correct then press the On-board Asset button

Installing a G70 device on a Machine

Once the G70 device has been on-boarded it is ready to be installed on a machine.

  • G70 devices are configured to run whenever a machine is running
  • G70 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
  • G70 devices take power from 12v or 24v machines

Please visit the G70 Install page for detailed install instructions.

NOTE: These instructions are important as they explain how to insert the SIM card and  connect the internal battery of the G70 device before the device can be installed on a machine.

Insert SIM Card and Connect Battery

Before a G70 device can be installed on a machine, a SIM card needs to be inserted and the battery needs to be connected. 

  • Each G70 device comes without the top cover attached so the SIM card can be installed and the battery connected
  • The SIM card holder is found on top of the green circuit board
  • The G70 takes a 3FF Micro SIM card and should be installed when the battery is not connected
SIM card needs to be inserted
Battery in the G70 needs to be connected

The G70 device will not work if the SIM card is not installed and the battery is not connected.  Once the SIM is inserted and the battery connected, the G70 can be closed using the 4 housing screws (provided).  Please ensure the device is sealed adequately to limit any exposure to water.

NOTE: The G70 has an internal backup battery in case of loss of power or tampering.

The G70 Wire Definition

The G70 has a 10 wire harness. The installation typically uses the following 3 wires:

  • Power (Voltage In) - red, Pin 1
  • Ignition - white, Pin 3
  • Ground - black, Pin 2

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 then connect both the power wire (PIN 1) and ignition wire (PIN 3) together and 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 that machine will not know to sign-on and will not be detected by the Virtual Super.

See the graphic below for details:

Click image for larger view

Connecting a G70 Device to a Load or Dump Switch in a Machine:

For hauling machines it is extremely beneficial to get the G70 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 G70 device. These events give valuable insights into where material is being loaded and/or dumped.

Wire the G70 device to record Load events:

Connect PIN 5 (Digital Input 2, pink or orange) 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 5 will allow the detection of Load events.

Wire the G70 device to record Dump events:

Connect PIN 4 (Digital Input 1, blue wire) 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 4 will allow the detection of Dump events.

OEM Installer Device Check

Once the G70 device is installed in a machine, the installer can enter the serial number into the Digital Matter Device Check page to ensure that it is communicating data correctly.

This link will take you to the Digital Matter OEM 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 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 1) need to be activated?

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

Click image for larger view

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 G70 has an internal self-resetting thermal fuse - meaning external fuses are not required. 
  • There are no external GPS or cellular antennas to fit (they are internal) so the install is straight forward.
  • G70 devices will perform when installed under the dash, under a trailer, etc - and you generally don't need to take special care to orient them in the correct way. In most cases, the most convenient install location is the best, however a location where the device is able to get a clear 180-degree view of the sky is best.  It is recommended that the device is concealed as much as possible to protect it from damage.

See the Digital Matter knowledge base for more G70 support articles.

Once the G70 device has been 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 Super as soon as power is supplied, e.g. the machine is turned on.  No additional configuration is needed.