Skip to main content
RACELOGIC Support Centre

03 - Installing your VBOX Speed Sensor

flag-de.png

Mounting

The VBOX Speed Sensor should be securely mounted inside the vehicle, level with the ground. There are holes in the ground plate that can be used to fasten the Speed Sensor to a suitable location in the vehicle. Make sure that the surface with the LEDs and pin information is up. 

Interfacing with the VBOX Speed Sensor

You can use the VBOX Speed Sensor in several different ways, and it is common for the end-user to integrate the speed sensor connector into their own wiring harness. You can purchase a mating connector, Deutsch ASDD606-09PN, from Racelogic for this purpose.

You should connect the GNSS antenna before you connect power to the Speed Sensor. This is because the Speed Sensor will look for a connected GNSS antenna and automatically adjust its gain for optimum performance from the connected antenna. 

The GNSS antenna supplied with the Speed Sensor is a 5 V active antenna. For the best possible signal quality, it is important to maintain a clean connection between the antenna and the Speed Sensor. Before you fix the antenna to the Speed Sensor, make sure that there are no dust particles in either connector. Replacement antennas are available from your Racelogic distributor.

The antenna is a magnetic mounting type for quick and simple mounting to the vehicle roof. For optimum GNSS signal reception, make sure that the antenna is fitted to the highest point of the vehicle, away from any obstructions that may block satellite reception. The GNSS antenna works best with a metal ground plane underneath (a metallic vehicle roof is perfect for this).

Note that it is important to have a clear sky view when you are using any GNSS equipment. Objects in the surrounding area, such as tall buildings or trees, can block the GNSS signal and lead to a reduction in the number of satellites that are being tracked and could introduce reflected signals that can decrease the accuracy of the system. Clouds and other atmospheric conditions do not affect the performance.

GPS_contact.jpg
 

GNSS antennas require a ground plane to operate correctly. This helps reduce unwanted reflections of the GNSS signal caused by nearby objects. Usually, the metal roof of a vehicle will perform this function, however, if a test requires the antenna to be placed either off the vehicle or on a vehicle that does not have a metallic roof, you must use a special ground plane antenna. This has an internal ground plane and can operate perfectly without the need to be mounted on a metal surface. Ground plane antennas are available from your Racelogic distributor.

 

 

 

Power

The VBOX Speed Sensor can be powered from a wide range of voltage sources including a Vehicle Cigar adapter, a Racelogic Li-ion battery pack or other sources provided by the user. The maximum operating voltage input must not exceed 30 V DC. Failure to observe this limit could result in damage to the speed sensor.

Note: There is no power cable supplied with the VBOX Speed Sensor, but this is available to purchase separately.

Note: During extended use, the Speed Sensor's case may become hot. This is normal, however, it is good practice to mount the VBOX Speed Sensor in a position where it has sufficient airflow around the case.

Hardware 

Connect the serial plug to the computer's serial port with an RLCAB093 loom – you can also do this via a serial > USB converter if required.

Note: The RLCAB093 loom is not supplied with the VBOX Speed Sensor, but is available to purchase separately.

Dimensions

VBSS25 VBOX Speed Sensor 25 Hz

L 102.6 mm* x W 89 mm x H 32 mm

*Including connectors 

VBSS25+VBSS100.png
VBSS100-V4G VBOX Speed Sensor 100 Hz

L 127.6 mm* x W 92 mm x H 28.1 mm

*Including connectors 

Outputs

There are 4 different types of outputs from the VBOX Speed Sensor:

  • Analogue
  • Digital
  • CAN
  • RS232

GPS Coldstart

You may need to perform a GPS Coldstart when:

  • The GPS/GNSS engine has locked up.
  • The Speed Sensor is struggling to acquire satellite lock
     

A GPS coldstart forces the GPS engine to reset its downloaded almanac of current satellite positions. This can be useful if the Speed Sensor is having trouble locking onto satellites, which typically occurs if the unit has not been used for several weeks or if it was last used a long distance (over one thousand miles) away from the current location.
 

After performing a GPS coldstart, leave the Speed Sensor powered up in a static location where the antenna has an unobstructed view of the skies until the ‘GPS’ LED becomes solid green.

 

How to perform a coldstart

There are two ways to perform a coldstart on the Speed Sensor.
 
  • Software 
    1. Open the VBOX Setup Software.
    2. Select the Speed Sensor from the drop-down connection menu and connect to the unit.
    3. Press the GPS Coldstart button on the General tab to activate the procedure.
    4. The LED's on the Speed Sensor will all turn red, and return to normal function when the coldstart procedure has been completed.
  • Digital Input
    1. Connect the Speed Sensor to a PC using the RS232 connector of the RLCAB093 loom.
    2. If the Speed Sensor's Digital Input is configured to Lap Pulse mode, you can perform a coldstart by grounding the input while connecting the Speed Sensor to power.
    3. When this is done correctly, the LEDs on the Speed Sensor will all turn red before returning to normal function when the coldstart procedure has been completed.
  • Was this article helpful?