Understanding The Inputs & Outputs Of a GPS Tracker
5 Sep 2016
Standard GPS Tracker Wiring
A standard hardwired gps tracker typically requires just three wires to work; constant power, ground, and ignition.
Inputs & Outputs Purpose
Most hardwired vehicle gps trackers, are also equipped with input and output connection wires. This article will help you to understand what these wires mean, and how they are typically used in real world gps tracking applications.
Inputs and outputs increase the functionality of a gps tracker by allowing it to do such things such as unlock a door, enable/disable a vehicle’s starter, remotely engage or disengage a motor, as well as monitor when some electric component is on or off.
What is an Output?
Let’s begin in simple terms, what an output is. An output wire on a gps device, allows a signal to be sent from the device to an endpoint. Think of it as you being able to “energize” the output wire – and its like the wire saying – “Hey! I am sending a Signal Here, I’m On”.
Types Of Output Signals
Two types of signals that you can send when you engage an output wire are latched or pulsed.
A latched output signal means the line will hold its state, until it receives another command telling it to change states. i.e. if we send the command to turn on – it will stay energized, until we send it a command to turn off.
Real World Output Applications
A real world application would be using this output line on conjunction with an automotive relay to disable or enable a starter on a vehicle. The relay acts as a middle-man who gets the signal from the output wire, and opens or closes the circuit. If the line was energized, the connection disables the starter, if turned off – the vehicle returns to normal operation.
A pulsed output command acts in an entirely different way. A pulsed output will energize a line for a fraction of a second and then stop. Think of it – as just sending a short burst of energy through the line.
A real world application for using a pulsed output command, would be to unlock an electric door on a vehicle. Since we just need to energize the door lock for a fraction of a second to open, we would send a pulse command to the door lock in essence saying – “Please Open”.
So now that we have a basic understanding of what an output is, let’s move on to what an Input does.
What Is An Input
As the name implies, think – in, when you think about inputs. An input wire is used to detect a change of state (on/off) for an external component. For example, when the no seatbelt light of a car goes on, connecting an input wire to the light would let you know the seatbelt was not being used. Or, if a PTO was turned on, or off – you would know what is going on.
True Story – Customer Using Input Feature Catches Employee Stealing
One of the fondest memories that I have involving inputs on a gps tracker, was a customer who caught one of their employees stealing propane from their propane trucks. Propane delivery trucks can quickly dispense a lot of fuel. Some trucks can even deliver from 63 to 121 gallons per minute of propane. At $2.36 per gallon, a few minutes here – and a few minutes there, can really add up for a shady employee stealing from their company.
With the gps tracker input connected to the pump motor, our customer was able to see exact locations of where the pump was on and for how long. It didn’t take long for him to identify unauthorized locations along the shady employees route where propane was being stolen. The employee was subsequently confronted and terminated.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at LiveviewGPS.
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