How do I install the product?
To install the product, you must first connect the wiring in the package to the GPS tracker itself. To do this, connect the wiring to the GPS tracker through the quick connector to the GPS tracker. Then connect the black cable to a negative terminal in your vehicle, and the red cable to a positive terminal.
Where can the product be installed?
We sometimes receive questions about where and how the product can be installed, such as:
- Does the device need to be on the roof of the vehicle or can I put it in the engine bay?
First off, it's not necessary to install the device in an open spot. The single most common location for installing the device is inside the engine bay of a car. Reasonable amounts of metal do not generally cause noticeable reductions in signal strength (i.e. data quality), but large amounts of metal - such as when the device is placed inside a thick metal pipe - can have negative effects on signal strength, which may cause the device to not work properly. If possible, try to place the side with the text Lite and the pin-logo so that it is facing the sky.
Wiring guidelines
Please ensure that the product is properly connected to power and that the wires are properly secured. Use wiring and cable management accessories as required. We strongly advise that you shield/isolate the cables to avoid shorting any wires. Also, please keep in mind that the product supports a maximum voltage of 9-90 - please avoid installing the device in a way that may expose it to power surges (e.g. a starter engine) as this may render the product permanently unusable.
Customers sometimes ask us if the device can be used with a small 9 volt battery, much like the kind of battery that's used in a smoke detector. This is possible in theory, but keep in mind that the device consumes upwards of 40-50 mA while active and connected to a 9 volt battery which would result in a very short battery lifespan. The device is designed for permanent use in motor vehicles with a reasonable battery capacity; we do not recommend attempting to use it as a portable device.
When you unpack the product, you will see a small fuse attached to the wiring harness - please do not remove this fuse. If the fuse needs replacing, it must be replaced with an identical 2A fuse which can be purchased from any number of utility stores.
A few final words of caution: while in most cases installing the device by yourself is both safe and easy, we strongly advise you seek the help of a car mechanic or electrician if you are even the least bit uncertain about how to connect the product to your vehicle's electrical system. Keep in mind that an incorrect installation can cause damage to yourself, your vehicle, the product or other people and animals. SweTrack cannot be held liable for any damage to people, animals or property that is the result of an improper installation. Once again: please enlist professional help if you do not feel you are capable of installing the device on your own.
Important information about signal strength
Please be advised that all materials and objects that are placed directly between the device and the GPS satellites will, to some extent, reduce the GPS signal strength thus also reducing data quality. In some cases, you may see that the device is sending location updates but that they are very incorrect compared to the device's real-life location (e.g. a deviation of 100 metres) - this means that the signal strength is very weak but still sufficient enough to obtain at least some degree of positioning. This issue is easily fixed by adjusting the device's placement so that it is able to obtain a better signal.