Install and On-board DM-Dart3 Device

The following article explains how to on-board and install a Digital Matter Dart3 device.

A Digital Matter Dart3 device is a robust vehicle tracking device with a variety of inputs and outputs to cater for demanding applications.

A detailed Dart3 datasheet can be downloaded here.

Before a Dart3 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 Dart3 device to a specific machine and 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 Dart3 device.

If you do not have the SafeSite app installed on your mobile device, you must do so in order to complete the Dart3 on-boarding process.

Installing the SafeSite app

Click image for larger view

Once the SafeSite app is installed on your device you need to have the SafeSite Superuser 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 Dart3 Device

A Dart3 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 Dart3 device to a specific machine.

Click image for larger view

Follow these steps to on-board a Dart3 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 Dart3 device Serial Number.

    To do this, you can either press the Scan button and then point the phone's camera at the serial number bar code on the back of the Dart3 device.  Alternatively, you can manually key in the Serial Number.

  6. Confirm that the details are correct then press the On-board Asset button

NOTE: Take care not to enter the IMEI number instead of the serial number.  The serial number is the 6 character number on the device - see image below.

Installing a Dart3 Device on a Machine

Once the Dart3 is on-boarded it is ready to be installed on a machine.

  • Dart3 devices can be configured to run whenever a machine is running
  • Dart3 devices are wired into a machine using a 8-36V power source
  • Dart3 devices come with a 12 wire harness

Please visit the Digital Matter Dart3 support 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 Dart3 device before it is installed on a machine.

Insert SIM card and Connect Battery

Before a Dart3 can be installed on a machine, a SIM card needs to be inserted and the battery needs to be connected.

  • Each Dart3 is packaged with the back up battery and the 12 wire harness.
  • Each device comes without the top cover attached so that the SIM card can be installed and the battery can be connected.
  • Each Dart3 uses a Micro (3FF) SIM card.

Insert the SIM

Slide the SIM holder to the right and position the holder upright.  Place the SIM card down to make contact with SIM contacts on the PCB.

Click image for larger view

Connect the Battery

Connect the battery to the white coloured battery connector on the PCB (see above image).

Once the SIM card is inserted and the battery is connected an internal LED will come on and flash, showing that the device will now:

  • Connect to the server
  • Get a GPS fix
  • Reconnect to the server

See the Digital Matter Getting Started page for more detailed user instruction.

The Dart3 Wire Definition

Each Dart3 device comes with a 12 wire harness which needs to be connected to the Dart3 device.

Click image for larger view

IMPORTANT: Please take care when connecting the wire harness to the Dart3.  If it is not connected properly or the lug is damaged, the wire definition may not be securely held in place.

Typically the install uses the following 3 wires:

  • Voltage In - Red, Pin 1, connect to the vehicle battery (8-36V)
  • Ground - Black, Pin 3 (or any black wire), connect to chassis ground
  • Ignition Input - White, Pin 8, connect to ignition source

Click image for larger view

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 Voltage In wire (PIN 1) and the ignition wire (PIN 8) 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 the machine will not know to sign-on and will not be detected by the Virtual Super.

See the Install Page for a more detailed description.

Dart3 Device Wire Definition

Click image for larger view

Connecting the Dart3 to a Load or Dump Switch on a Machine

For hauling machines, it is extremely beneficial to get the Dart3 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 Dart3 device.  These events give valuable insights into where material is being loaded and/or dumped.

To Record Load Events

Connect PIN 11 (Digital Input 2, blue wire) 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 11 will allow the detection of Load events.

To Record Dump Events

Connect PIN 5 (Digital Input 1, pink 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 5 will allow the detection of Dump events.

OEM Installer Device Check

Once the Dart3 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.

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 Dart3 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.