Battery Considerations - US Fleet Tracking PT-X5 User Manual

The PT-X5: Battery Considerations
The single biggest dilemma confronting a battery-
operated product of this nature is managing the
delicate balance between battery life and update
performance. Everyone wants the fastest update
possible so they can see the device as it moves in
real-time. The problem is that faster updates burn
more battery... and packing additional battery
into a device increases cost, weight, and size.
Other products on the market are comparatively
primitive, solving the battery dilemma by
providing 2-minute, 5-minute, or even 15-minute
updates. Some are even "ping" based, updating
their location only when you specifically ask for it.
The problem with such slow updates is that they
cannot provide an historical playback to enable
you to see (with any degree of accuracy) where
the GPS tracking device has been.
Conversely, the PT-X5 provides real-time 10-
second updates, recording history for later
playback so that you can see everywhere the
device has been – even if you weren't watching at
the time. We balance the need for long battery
life by embedding an on-board motion sensor,
enabling the device to power off and conserve
power after 120 seconds of no movement. The
instant the device moves, it powers back up,
reconnects, and resumes transmission.
Using this method, the PT-X5 doesn't last X
number of hours after a charge. Rather, it lasts 10
to 18 hours of actual movement time. If a device
on a vehicle only moves 1 hour per day, the
battery will last approximately 18 days on a single
battery charge. If it moves 2 hours per day, the
battery will last roughly 7 days. If it moves
nonstop, it will last between 8 and 10 hours.
Bearing this in mind, we must also mention that
the motion sensor is incredibly sensitive to
vibration – even a passing vehicle may vibrate the
vehicle on which the PT-X5 is installed enough to
wake it.
Under normal circumstances this isn't a problem,
as the PT-X5 will go back to sleep after 120
seconds of no movement, but if the vehicle is
parked on a busy street it can lead to a
dramatically reduced operating period for that
specific battery
beforehand that this may be the case, it might be
wise to purchase an extended battery kit to
enable your PT-X5 to operate for a longer period
of time between charges.
Live Tracking with the PT-X5
In order to access the live tracking features of the
PT-X5, simply load your web browser on your PC
(or Apple) and go to www.usfleettracking.com. If
you do not already have login credentials, contact
US Fleet Tracking at 405.749.1105 to arrange for
service.
With the login ID and password assigned to you
by US Fleet Tracking registration, go to
www.usfleettracking.com
US Fleet Tracking Corp. | PT-X5 User's Guide
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