VMS Hardware FAQ
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The iTrac II can be purchased from through J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. Please contact us for more information regarding pricing, purchasing, registering, and airtime cost.
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A limited quantity of set and haul switches are available for purchase from J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. Please contact us to inquire about availability and pricing.
If there are no switches available at JOT, they can be purchased from Delcom Products. There are many switch options available at Delcom, but J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. recommends choosing from the two options below:
706562-F-5M, USB HID Programmable Dual Anti-Vandal Switch w/5M Cable and Flange (the part that JOT sells) or,
706502-F-5M, USB HID Programmable Dual Button Switch w/5M Cable and Flange (the part that JOT used to sell)
After placing your order, you should receive an email from a Delcom service representative asking to confirm your button color preferences and their orientation with reference to the cable entry.
Include the details below in your reply.
Red button furthest from the cable, program to type keyboard, action Hold/Repeat, code 62 - keyboard F5, mode LCtrl
Blue button closest to the cable, program to type keyboard, action Hold/Repeat, code 65 - keyboard F8, mode LCtrl
Please note: If you purchase a switch from Delcom, you will need to configure it to the right settings. If you purchase a set/haul switch from J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd., it will be configured for you and have set/haul labels identifying each button’s function.
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Step 1. Mount the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). This should be placed outside and with its top side facing up so that it has a clear view of the sky.
Step 2. Mount the Wheelhouse Unit (WU). This should be placed in a location and orientation where the unit’s LEDs will be visible, and the unit can be reached by the 15m cable coming from the RTU.
Step 3. Connect the power connector cable. This should be connected to a continuous DC power source that is between 9 and 32 volts (supports 12V and 24V battery systems) (red wire to positive and black wire to ground).
Step 4. Connect cables from the RTU to the WU. There are two different types of connector pairs, one 8-pin pair (for data) and one 4 pin pair (for power). Each pair will only fully click together when they are correctly lined up and oriented to each other.
Step 5. Connect the USB cable from the WU to your computer.
Step 6. (optional) If you have a Set/Haul switch, plug the USB cable into one of your computer’s USB ports.
For more information on installing your iTrac II, see the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup and Operating System 2.0
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There is no installation service provided by J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. If you do not wish to install the iTrac II yourself, inquire about installation services with your local marine electrical service center. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
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If you’ve installed the iTrac Hardware (see Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? or The iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2), follow the steps below to send a Set/haul position:
Open the JOT Prawn Trap program. (See Software FAQ 1. How to Install the JOT Prawn Trap Program?)
To send a Set position, hit the function key F5 on your keyboard or click on the Set String (F5 key) button on your computer screen.
Confirm to send the Set or Haul GPS location by clicking the Yes button.
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If you’ve installed the iTrac Hardware (see VMS Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? or The iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup Guide and Operating System 2), follow the steps below to send a manual Set/haul position:
Open the JOT Prawn Trap program. (See Software FAQ 1. How to Install the JOT Prawn Trap Program)
Click on the menu item File.
Click on the menu item Add String to display the Add Set and haul String screen
Enter the date and time.
Enter the latitude.
Enter the longitude, (version 1.0.0.0) requires a negative sign.
Click Add Set String or Add Haul String button.
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As the computer program is an important component of the Vessel Monitoring System, it is recommended that you get one or restore yours to its working condition. If necessary, it is possible to send a Set and Haul position using your iTrac II’s “emergency” button on the front of the wheelhouse unit.
Transmittinga Set position:
1. Push AND HOLD the button until the yellow GPS LED on the top of the iTrac wheelhouse unit turns on (this will take about 5 seconds) then turns off (will be one for about 2 seconds before it turns off).
2. Release the button.
NOTE: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE BUTTON PUSHED IN UNTIL THE GPS LIGHT GOES OUT.
Transmitting a Haul position:
Repeat steps to transmit a Set position from above, twice, for a total of 2 pushes and holds.
Once the emergency button is pushed, the Satellite and Message LEDs will flash or stay on until the position is transmitted. Set and Haul positions sent using the emergency button will not appear on the JOT Prawn Trap Program Set/Haul screens.
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After confirming the season Airtime cost has been paid, J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. will activate the VMS unit. This will occur 3 business days before the start of the fishery – no action is required by the fisher.
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First, make sure your iTrac is properly installed. (See VMS Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? Or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup and Operating System 2.0)
Second, check the status of the iTrac using the JOT Prawn Trap program on your computer. (See VMS Software FAQ 1. How do I install the JOT Prawn Trap Program? Or the How to Install/Uninstall the JOT Prawn Trap Program Instructional guide)
To check the status of the iTrac, follow the steps below.
Open the JOT Prawn Trap program.
Click on the Satellite tab page.
Click on the Status button and check on the status results:
iTrac External Power
ON - Power supplied externally. This is what you want to see.
OFF - Power supplied by battery.
iTrac GPS OK - Acquired GPS position. This is what you want to see.
ACQUIRING - getting GPS position.
NO FIX - Unable to obtain GPS position.
iTrac Satellite
OK - Acquired satellite position. This is what you want to see.
TRANSMITTING - Sending data to satellite.
NO COVERAGE - Unable to obtain satellite position.
COM Port (version 1.2.0.0)
COMxx (where xx is a COM port). This is what you want to see.
Blank – no connection to the COM port.
If the status results are anything other than what is displayed in the image above (note that variations in the COM Port number is normal) please see Hardware FAQ 9. What do I do if my iTrac II is not transmitting GPS locations? or contact us.
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First, make sure your iTrac is properly installed. (See VMS Hardware FAQ 3. How do I install my iTrac II? Or the iTrac II Prawn VMS Setup and Operating System 2.0)
Second, check the status of the iTrac using the JOT Prawn Trap program on your computer. (See Software FAQ 1. How do I install the JOT Prawn Trap Program? Or the How to Install/Uninstall the JOT Prawn Trap Program instructional guide)
To check the status of the iTrac, follow the steps below.
Open the JOT Prawn Trap program.
Click on the Satellite tab page.
Click on the Status button and check on the status results:
iTrac External Power
ON - Power supplied externally. This is what you want to see.
OFF - Power supplied by battery.
iTrac GPS OK - Acquired GPS position. This is what you want to see.
ACQUIRING - getting GPS position.
NO FIX - Unable to obtain GPS position.
iTrac Satellite
OK - Acquired satellite position. This is what you want to see.
TRANSMITTING - Sending data to satellite.
NO COVERAGE - Unable to obtain satellite position.
COM Port (version 1.2.0.0)
COMxx (where xx is a COM port). This is what you want to see.
Blank – no connection to the COM port.
Third, allow time for the unit to acquire satellite signal (check iTrac Satellite results in Status, in steps above).
If you’ve confirmed all of the above, your Sets/Hauls are still not transmitting perform a Hard Reset of your iTrac (Please see the Hard Reset Instructional Guide.). If you’re still having problems after attempting these troubleshooting steps, please contact us. One of our VMS team members should be able to assist and discuss the next steps.
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Repairs are fulfilled by MetOcean Telematics, the iTrac II manufacturer. J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. can assist with troubleshooting over the phone and testing in the Vancouver office, but a full assessment and repair can only be performed by the MetOcean Telematics service technicians.
If you are experiencing problems with your iTrac contact J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. We will attempt troubleshooting over the phone and provide you with VMS options to see you through the fishery. If we’ve identified that your iTrac might be repairable and you would like to pursue a possible repair, we will either:
Ask you to send it to J. O. Thomas and Associates head office for closer inspection and set up a repair case with MetOcean on our end, or
Instruct you to set up a repair case and send it directly to MetOcean Telematics.
To inquire about an assessment/repair directly with MetOcean Telematics service team, contact support@metocean.com
IMPORTANT: Please note that all shipping fees to J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd., and to MetOcean Telematics, are at the client’s expense.
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The iTrac II requires a continuous DC power source that is between 9 and 32 volts (supports 12V and 24V battery systems) (red wire to positive and black wire to ground).
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The battery in the iTrac II wheelhouse unit will last approximately 12 hours. This is just an estimate, as it changes depending on how many scheduled reports the iTrac is configured to send. Your iTrac should be plugged into a continuous DC power source that is between 9 and 32 volts, at all times during the fishery.
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There are 2 internal fuses in the Wheel House Unit. The first fuse is rated for 6 amps to protect the Primary battery to Secondary battery charging. The second fuse is rated for 1.35 amps to protect the internal battery charger and rest of the ITrac II system. There is also an internal voltage regulator feature which controls the charge current to the internal battery.
The internal fuses are re-settable fuses so in the event of a fault, the circuit is disconnected temporarily. The iTrac II would operate from the internal battery during this period provided it has sufficient charge. If it's an extended fault, then the device would stop working eventually. Once the fault is corrected, the fuses should reset and continue to function.
The Wheel House Unit does not require an external fuse; However, an additional external fuse may be advisable if there is a chance of a cable short between the Primary battery and Wheel House Unit which will depend on the nature of the install. In the case that an external fuse is deemed necessary, the value of fuse used will depend on whether or not a secondary battery in connected to the Wheel House Unit. The two fusing options are as follows:
If a secondary battery is connected to the Wheel House Unit, the external fuse should be sized to accommodate the charging current to this secondary battery. This will depend on the battery used but upwards of 6 - 10 amps would be recommended.
If no secondary battery is used on the Wheel House Unit, an external fuse of 3 amps would suffice in addition to the internal fuses of the Wheel House Unit.
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The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique serial number assigned to each iTrac II, labeled on top of the remote terminal unit. The IMEI is required (as the CSP No. and Hardware Serial No.) when registering the vessel to Fisheries and Oceans using the National Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Form.
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If you plan to use a different satellite provider, check with J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. to ensure the provider's system is approved by DFO and meets the prawn vessel data transfer protocols.
Please note that J. O. Thomas and Associates Ltd. will charge a one-time registration fee plus an annual data processing fee for any satellite provider other than MetOcean Telematics.
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MetOcean Telematics warrants products manufactured by MetOcean Telematics to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for twelve (12) months from the date of first activation, unless specified otherwise, subject to the following conditions: MetOcean Telematics obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing (at MetOcean Telematics option) products that have been returned prepaid to MetOcean Telematics. MetOcean Telematics will return warranted equipment by surface carrier, prepaid. This warranty shall not apply to any MetOcean Telematics products that have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents of nature, or shipping. Batteries are not warranted. Under no circumstance will MetOcean Telematics reimburse the claimant for costs incurred in removing and/or reinstalling equipment. This warranty, and MetOcean Telematics obligation there under, is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of suitability and fitness for a particular purpose. MetOcean Telematics is not liable for consequential damages.