A step-by-step guide for activating your new tracker and navigating the platform. The recommended web browser for activating your device and using the platform is Google Chrome.
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Activate your tracker
The first step to take with any Hapn OBD is to make sure it is activated. This ensures the tracker SIM is active, and the device can communicate with our platform. A detailed guide to activation is located here. This process must be followed before getting going with the OBD.
Tracker Basics
Let's take a look at the physical features of your OBD tracker. The OBD is a very simple tracker. It has two LED status lights, a SIM card slot, and a J1962 OBD plug on the bottom. There is no power button on this tracker; it draws power directly from the vehicle's OBD port, so it does not need to be turned on or off.
The LEDs
The OBD has two LED lights along the edge opposite the plug end.
The blue LED indicates the GPS connection of the device. While acquiring a signal, the light will flash. When it has a good connection to the GPS network, the light will turn solid. When the device is not actively transmitting, such as when the vehicle is stopped, the blue LED may turn off.
The green LED indicates the cellular connection of the device. The cellular connection is needed to communicate with and send location data back to the Hapn platform. The cellular LED will flash rapidly when attempting to connect to the network. Once a connection has been established, the LED will flash at a regular three-second interval.
SIM Card Slot
The SIM card slot is located on the left side of the tracker, under a removable cover. Our devices use smart SIMs that allow for use with multiple carriers without requiring a SIM swap. Even if you travel internationally and want to use the OBD tracker, a SIM swap is not necessary. This can be done in the applications via the tracker settings. In the very rare case that anything needs to be done with the SIM card, an agent will advise exactly what to do. In 99.99% of cases, the SIM can and should be ignored.
Also under the cover is a mini USB port. This is a debugging port that will not need to be used at all and can be ignored.
OBD Plug
The OBD tracker comes with a J1962 OBD port, which it uses for power and connection to the tracked vehicle. It has 16 pins in two rows of 8 and corresponds with the OBD port on any consumer vehicle made after 1994. We will discuss this OBD port further in the tracker placement section below.
Tracker Placement
Determining where to place the OBD tracker is not as challenging as with most GPS devices. This is because the OBD must be plugged into an OBD port in a vehicle. OBD stands for On-Board Diagnostic port, which is used to check engine codes when a car is having issues. The OBD tracker leverages this port for continual power. This makes the tracker easier to use and perfect for longer-term usage as battery life is not an issue.
Typically, the OBD port is located to the left of the car steering wheel, near the hood release.
If your vehicle does not have an OBD port located here, then you will need to consult the manufacturer's manual to locate the OBD port.
Note that cars made prior to 1994 will likely not have an OBD port and therefore will not be compatible with the OBD tracker.
Once you have located the port, all you need to do is plug the tracker into it. It will only fit one way due to the shape of the port and plug. Make sure the tracker is aligned with the port, and it will fit with no issues. When plugged in, the LEDs will turn on and behave as described above in the LEDs section of this article.
Start using the Hapn apps
Once the tracker is charged and placed, it's time to start using the apps. Our guide for getting started with the apps, RIGHT HERE, is a great place to find the information you need. That article will guide you through downloading the mobile app, creating boundaries, making sure your alerts are set up and more.
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