Mobile Collection Hardware Installation Guide
Identification Mobile Collection Hardware Installation Guide 04/28/2008 TDC-0770-001 Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Itron, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademark Notice Itron is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc. All other product names and logos in this documentation are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Contents Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System................................................................................1 About the MC3 System .......................................................................................................................1 Mobile Collection Hardware Kit.................................................................................................1 Installing the MC3 System...............................................................................................
Contents Remove the Flash Card................................................................................................43 Removing the Mobile Collection 2.x System.....................................................................................44 Unlock and Remove the GoBook............................................................................................44 Disconnect the Cables ............................................................................................................
CHAPTER 1 Using the MC3 System This chapter introduces you to the features, functions, and components of Mobile Collection 3.0 (MC3) system. About the MC3 System The MC3 is Itron's powerful, next-generation mobile collection system for electric, gas and water providers. It offers advanced radio technology for unsurpassed performance, along with a sophisticated mapping application utilizing GPS technology that provides a visual indication of endpoint location.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System ID 1 Item MC3 radio Description Includes a mounting harness and straps for installing the system in your vehicle. 2 USB cable Comes attached to the dock and attaches to the GoBook. Provides communication between GoBook and MC3 radio. 3 GoBook XR-1 Runs the Mobile Collection software to collect reads. The MC3 radio is also compatible with the GoBook III laptop. 4 GoBook dock The GoBook, power cables, and communication cables attach to the dock.
Installing the MC3 System About the Sled The Mobile Collector sled is used to securely fasten the GoBook in the vehicle. It is placed on the passenger seat and secured with a seat belt and pretensioner. Watch the Mobile Collector Safety Video and read the Mobile Collector Sled and Pretensioner Installation Guide (TDC-0708-xxx) to learn how to correctly install the sled in your vehicle. These materials are located in a plastic sleeve on the underside of the sled.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System About the Seat Belt Pretensioner The seat belt pretensioner makes the modern three-point safety harness in your vehicle function similarly to an old-fashioned lap seat belt. By using the pretensioner mechanism to cinch the mounting hardware very firmly into the junction of the seat back and the seat pad, the pretensioner and radio mount restricts potentially hazardous equipment movement during impact.
Installing the MC3 System Installing the Junction Box The junction box takes power from the vehicle and distributes it to the MC3 radio, GoBook, and an optional EkaNet radio (when installed). Before you can install the MC3 system for the first time, the junction box must be installed on either the sled or a pedestal mount. Once installed, the junction box should remain attached to the sled or pedestal. To install the junction box 1. Remove the junction box from the MC3 kit. 2.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System 5. Insert the other bracket (the one you removed) into the junction box, making sure that both screw holes are visible through the bracket. 6. Insert and tighten both screws to secure the junction box to the sled or pedestal. About the Dock The Mobile Collector dock is used to secure the GoBook to either the sled or a pedestal mount in your vehicle. It has connections for power and communications between the GoBook and Mobile Collector radio.
Installing the MC3 System 2. Angle the front of the GoBook down, toward the front of the dock (where the key and locking mechanism are). Notice the connectors and guide posts (1) near the back of the sled base. These help ensure proper placement of the GoBook. 3. Push the back of the laptop down on to the connectors. 4. When the laptop is in place, engage the dock locking mechanism to secure the connectors to the laptop and prevent it from moving. 5.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System ID 2 Description PCMCIA slot 3 CD drive The compact flash card should come installed from the factory. If it is not installed or you wish to replace cards, use the following procedures. To insert the flash card adapter 1. Slide the flash card into the PCMCIA adapter. 2. Open the CD drive / PCMCIA slot compartment on the right-hand side of the GoBook. 3. Slide the adapter into the PCMCIA slot on the GoBook until it clicks into place. To remove the flash card adapter 1.
Installing the MC3 System 2. Push the button in until the adapter pops out of the slot. 3. Pull the adapter the rest of the way out. 4. Remove the compact flash card from the adapter. Mounting the MC3 The MC3 is mounted in a harness that can be attached to either a bucket- or bench-seat in a vehicle. The harness contains clips on the top for mounting it on a bucket seat, and clips on the side for bench seat mounting. The MC3 is shipped in its vehicle mount, with the straps set up for a bucket seat.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System • Secure it in place by buckling the two diagonal corner straps (1). 2. Strap the mount to either the front or the back of the passenger-side seat back. Position the unit within the mount so that when it is strapped to the seat back, the unit's connectors face toward the passenger-side door. • Sled Systems If you will be installing a sled, be sure to mount the MC3 high enough on the seat back so that the sled and laptop will fit beneath the radio on the seat.
Installing the MC3 System • Bucket Seat Extend the mounting straps from the driver-facing side of the vehicle mount (1), and then wrap them around the seat back and buckle them to the opposite side of the vehicle mount (2). • Bench Seat Connect the optional bench-seat straps to the buckles on the bottom of the vehicle mount.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System Connecting the GoBook XR-1 to the MC3 The MC3 rides in a harness that attaches to bucket- or bench-style passenger seat. The sled for the GoBook XR-1 is equipped with a dock for the computer and a junction box for power connectors (the junction box must be attached to the sled prior to use). The sled should be mounted on the seat before the MC3 radio is attached.
Installing the MC3 System MC3 Connectors The top of the MC3 radio contains the power and communications connectors, as well as a fabric and rubber handle used to carry the radio. The connections on the MC3 are described in the following table. ID 1 Connector Vehicle power Description Input that receives the connector running to the vehicle power source to provide power to the MC3.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System Connecting the Power Cables Power to the Mobile Collection components is distributed through the junction box on the side of the sled. There are three power cables that must be connected: • Vehicle power to the junction box • Junction box to the GoBook dock • Junction box to the MC3 There is a fourth outlet on the junction box called AUX. It is for powering the EkaNet radio, an optional device for mobile demand reset functionality.
Installing the MC3 System ID 5 Connection (Label) Power out to laptop dock (LAPTOP DOCK) Description Connection from junction box to the laptop dock. The laptop dock secures the GoBook in place while you drive a route, and provides power and communication connections for the laptop. The dock is attached to either a sled or pedestal mount in the vehicle (a sled is pictured in this example).
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System To connect power to the GoBook dock 1. Plug the red and blue end of the cable into the LAPTOP DOCK receptacle on junction box. Pull the silver tab on the power cable back, insert the connector into the junction box, twist the connector so the silver tab lines up with the labeling on the junction box, and release the tab to lock it into place. 2. Plug the pigtail end into the dock connector.
Installing the MC3 System To connect power to the MC3 1. Plug one end of the cable into the RF UNIT receptacle on the junction box. Pull the silver tab on the power cable back, insert the connector into the junction box, twist the connector so the silver tab lines up with the labeling on the junction box, and release the tab to lock it into place. 2. Plug the other end into the POWER IN receptacle on the MC3. Connecting the Antenna Next, connect the omni-mount RF antenna to the radio.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System To connect the antenna • Connect the omni-mount RF antenna cable to the MAIN ANTENNA connector on the MC3. Be sure to properly tighten the connector; a loose connection can lead to poor radio and read performance. When using older antenna cables with type N connectors along with the MC3 radio, a type N to TNC adapter is required; this adapter is included in the MC3 kit. Attach the adapter securely to both the antenna cable and MC3 to ensure optimal radio performance.
Installing the MC3 System Side-looker antennas attach to the top of the vehicle with several strong magnets. If your vehicle has a fiberglass top, the antennas may not bond securely to the vehicle; Itron does not recommend the use of side-looker antennas with fiberglass-topped vehicles. To connect the side-looker antennas 1. Mount the side-looker antennas (2) on top of the vehicle, two feet in front of or behind the primary RF omni-mount antenna (1). 2. Route the antenna cables into the vehicle.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System 3. Remove the caps covering the side-looker antenna ports, identified by R and L on the MC3 radio in the vehicle. 4. Connect the side-looker antenna cables to the R and L antenna inputs on the MC3 radio.
Installing the MC3 System The following picture shows a Mobile Collection system with all the data cables connected. ID 1 2 Connection Description (Label) RF radio antenna RF radio antenna connection on MC3 radio. Receives (MAIN ANTENNA) endpoint signals. GPS antenna (GPS) 3 USB data cable (USB) 4 USB data cable ( 5 ) GPS antenna connection to MC3 radio. Receives GPS signal for vehicle location and tracking. USB data output from MC3 radio.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System The USB cable is connected to the dock at the factory and is secured with a cable tie. DO NOT remove this cable tie or unplug the USB cable from the dock. The cable tie helps ensure a secure connection and should never be disconnected. The cable tie also ensures that the correct COMM port is used for GPS communications with the Mobile Interface software. Using a different USB port will prevent the MC3 radio from communicating properly with the software. 2.
Installing the MC3 System The Itronix documentation refers to the laptop receptacle as a cradle; Itron uses the term dock to identify this piece of equipment. The term dock is used repeatedly throughout this manual; however, dock and cradle are interchangeable. To attach the GoBook III to the vehicle dock 1. Ensure that the vehicle dock is in the unlocked position. When locked, a steel pin (1) is visible on the top of the vehicle dock; this pin helps secure the GoBook III in place.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System 3. Once the GoBook is properly aligned on the vehicle dock, push the locking mechanism in (1) to secure it. This locks the pin in place on the underside of the GoBook and also engages the mounting guides. 4. One end of the USB data cable comes attached to the vehicle dock; attach the other end to the USB port on the MC3. The USB cable is connected to the dock at the factory and is secured with a cable tie. DO NOT remove this cable tie or unplug the USB cable from the dock.
Removing the MC3 System Removing the MC3 System At some point, you may need to remove the Mobile Collection system from the vehicle. Before removing any Mobile Collection system components, be sure to stop the Mobile Interface software, shut down the GoBook, and turn off the vehicle power. See the Mobile Collection User's Guide (TDC-0380xxx) for more information. To remove the GoBook from the vehicle dock 1. Stop processing reads. 2. Complete routes. 3. Export routes. 4.
Chapter 1 Using the MC3 System • GoBook III Push in underneath the locking mechanism (1) and then pull the handle out (2) as shown. 9. Gently lift the GoBook up and away from the cradle. Disconnecting the Cables Disconnect the cables from the MC3 and leave them in the vehicle for the next installation of the system. To disconnect the cables 1. Complete the procedure To remove the GoBook from the vehicle dock on page 25. 2. Unplug the cables from the MC3 radio. 3.
CHAPTER 2 Using the Mobile Collection 2.x System This chapter describes how to install and use legacy versions of the Mobile Collector radio. If your vehicle has a passenger-side airbag, Itron strongly recommends disabling it when the Mobile collection system is installed. The force of the airbag deploying could damage the laptop, radio, or other components of the system. About the Mobile Collection 2.x System The Mobile Collector 2.
Chapter 2 Using the Mobile Collection 2.x System ID 2 Component Mounting guides Description Hold the GoBook in place, and assist you in placing the GoBook on the radio in the proper location. 3 Flash card reader Provides data backups when configured through the Mobile Administration function. 4 LEDs Indicate system power, operation, and flash card status. 5 Locking mechanism Secures the GoBook to the top of the radio. 6 Screen rests Provide support for the GoBook III screen.
