Dakota GPS-50-2 User manual

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GPS-50-2
GPS Speed and Bus Interface Module
Your new GPS-50-2 includes:
Table of Contents:
Product Overview
Page 2
Installation: Wiring Overview
Page 3
Installation: Wiring using a BIM cable (no BIM-01-2 present)
Page 4
Installation: Wiring standalone (individual gauge, or BIM-01-2 present)
Page 5
Installation Overview
Page 6
Setup / Clock Setup: VFD3 or VFD3X without a BIM-01-2
Page 7
Setup / Clock Setup: VHX without a BIM-01-2
Page 8
Setup / Clock Setup: HDX or RTX without a BIM-01-2
Page 9
Setup: Standalone speed output only
Page 10
Setup: Calibration setups for standalone speed only
Page 11
Cruise Operation
Page 13
Setup: GPS-50-2 Menu Options
Page 14
Troubleshooting / Quick tips
Page 18
Service / Warranty
Page 20
IMPORTANT NOTE!
•When using to operate a cruise control, see the special mounting requirements
on the bottom of page 13.
•The GPS-50-2 cannot connect to a BIM-01-2 series.
oThe two units cannot send similar data at the same time.
GPS module
394192 - BIM-XX-2 interface harness
Optional Remote
antenna, part 600041.
Contact Dakota Digital
Sales to order.

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Product Overview
The GPS-50-2 can be used to provide an accurate speedometer signal with a Dakota Digital instrument system as well as
many factory and aftermarket speedometers.
•Has built in GPS antenna for compact design.
•When coupled with a Dakota Digital system with a BIM cable, the unit can provide speed, compass, clock,
altimeter, and optional air temp functions.
•There are two interface (I/O) ports on the module for use with a Dakota Digital instrument system; either one can
be connected to the control box or a BIM-series module, allowing several units to be daisy chained together.
•The GPS-50-2 cannot be connected to any BIM-01-2 module.
•Additionally, there are two speedometer outputs for standard speedometers plus a dedicated cruise control speed
output.
oThe speed output values cannot be fine-tuned and represent commonly seen vehicle speed
signals.
oFine tuning speeds for non-Dakota Digital gauges will require the SGI-100BT also.
•The optional SEN-15-1 outside air temperature sensor can be connected when a Dakota Digital instrument
system is connected to provide an outside air temperature reading.
•The optional remote antenna 600041, (mounted on top of the dash), can enhance signal reception if the module is
hidden under the dash, and improves cruise control operation.
•Cruise speed output can operate some OEM cruise modules, the CRS-3000 cruise module, and most aftermarket
cruise modules.
The GPS speed signal can be momentarily incorrect due to interference from overpasses, tunnels, and nearby structures.
To avoid this problem, the system stabilizes the speedometer reading by constantly comparing it with an internal
acceleration sensor.
When the key is off, the system goes into a very low power standby mode and only occasionally wakes up to update GPS
readings so that it is ready to start operating as soon as the key is turned on.
If using a BIM-01-2 series with a Dakota Digital dash, the GPS-50-2 must be wired as a
standalone, (page 5) without using the BIM cable.
Display Legend
The dots in the LED display can tell us if the GPS-50-2 is seeking satellites or has acquired connection.
The upper left dot indicates several operations:
▪Slow flashing dot, key off –trying to connect, or stay connected, to satellites.
▪Slow flashing dot, key on –trying to connect to satellites.
▪Solid dot –contact made. Good if used as a standalone GPS unit without a BIM cable
oIf using a BIM cable to a dash system, no communication with dash, (check BIM cable)
▪Steady flashing dot –acquired satellite connection and communicating with dash system with BIM cable
Upper right dot –comes on solid only with key on, indicating at least four satellites are acquired.
Lower right dot –activates when the accelerator takes over when satellite signal is temporally lost

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Installation: Wiring Overview

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Installation: Wiring using BIM cable
Using the BIM cable will be the only way for the VFD/VHX/HDX/RTX dash systems to read: Compass, Altimeter, World
Clock, and optional outside air temp.

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Installation: Wiring for Standalone Speed*
Using Speed 1 or Speed 2 outputs
Connecting GPS-50-2 to:
▪Standalone speedometer
▪Dakota Digital dash system without BIM support
▪Dakota Digital dash system while also using a BIM-01-2 series
Two speed outputs are offered to accommodate the type of speedometer you have.
The speed output frequency is selectable to certain fixed standards, default is 8,000 pulse per mile.
➢See page 17 for the speed output options to select from.
All Dakota Digital gauges can use either SPEED 1 or SPEED 2.
Other brands of speedometer may only read one of the two outputs.
•Those brands that normally ship a three-wire speed sensor, will use SPEED 1.
•Those brands the normally ship a two-wire speed sensor, will use SPEED 2.
•OEM speedometers tend to use SPEED 1.
OEM GM cruise controls will like the CRUISE signal when the GPS-50-2 output is set to “4”, while the
CRS-2000/3000 modules from Dakota Digital need to be configured for the correct pulses, a square wave
signal by turning SW 10 on in the cruise module.
➢See page 10 for setup options for different gauges

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Installation and Overview
•Do not connect the I/O port to anything other than a Dakota Digital control box or BIM.
•Do not mount the module in the engine compartment; it should be mounted in the vehicle.
•Do not connect into BIM port of any BIM-01-2 series module.
•Make sure the module is securely mounted and not hanging loose.
oThe GPS-50-2 uses an internal acceleration sensor which cannot accurately track the vehicle
acceleration if the module is not well secured.
•Optional Antenna –mount on top of dash, close to window for best reception.
oMounting on glass “can”work, but is not the preferred choice
oNot designed for exterior use!
The  setup menu will aid in selecting an acceptable mounting location. This should be done in a clear,
outside area and not inside a building. Hold the switch beside the GPS-50-2 display while turning the key on.
The display will show the current revision code while this is held. Release the switch. Press and release the
switch until “” is displayed. Press and hold the switch until “ - ” is displayed. Press and release the switch
until “ ” is displayed. This will show the number of satellites being used. It should be tracking at least 6
satellites. If it is less than this wait a few minutes for it to pick up additional satellites. Press and release the
switch until “ ” is displayed. The maximum signal strength will be displayed in real time. You should try
different locations to obtain a reading of  or higher. When using the optional antenna move the antenna to
different locations to obtain a reading of or higher.
Initial setup
Once the module is mounted securely and wired, there are a few internal tasks the GPS module will complete
on its own.
First, the module needs time to acquire and track the satellites. This typically won’t work inside a steel building,
so have the vehicle outside to speed up the process. There is a dot in the upper right of the display that will be
on steady or on and flashing any time the key is on. The dot in the top center of the display will be on steady
once it has gotten a GPS satellite fix. The unit won’t operate until it gets a fix and this may take 1 –15 minutes
depending on various things. This delay is only for the initial GPS fix. After this it will typically begin operating
within a few seconds of turning the key on.
The second step is to let the internal acceleration sensor learn how it is mounted in the vehicle. You can mount
it securely in any position you want. When you are sitting still it learns which way is up. In order to learn which
way is the front of the vehicle you need to accelerate or decelerate on a straight stretch of road. Accelerate or
decelerate for at least 2.5 seconds and make sure your speed changes by at least 10 mph. This procedure
only needs to be done initially and doesn’t need to be repeated unless you move the module to a different
mounting location.
If you move it to a new mounting location or a different vehicle, enter the setup menu and select the  option
to speed up learning the new mounting position.
Dakota Digital display data usage
The speed outputs can each be used in place of a separate transmission connection to the gauge control unit.
The clock is based on the accurate GPS time and only the hours need to be set to match it to your time zone.
The compass requires no setup or calibration for the vehicle and is accurate any time the vehicle is moving.
The altimeter is calculated from the GPS position data to give your current elevation.
Each of these will be displayed in the message center and can be individually turned on or off.

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Setup Using BIM cable to VFD/VHX/HDX/RTX:
Cannot be connected to BIM-01-2 series
GPS-50-2 BIM speed MUST be enabled. See page 15 for details.
Setup VFD3 / VFD3X
Using speed from the GPS-50-2 without a BIM-01-x connected
➢Connect the GPS-50-2 to the instrument system control box with the supplied BIM power/data cable(s).
•Hold SW1 (I) for the VFD3 control box, and turn key on.
oSpeed will display  and the message display will show SETUP.
•Release SW1. The speed will display  and the message center will display SPEED.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and SPEED are displayed.
•Release SW1. Speed will display  and the message center will display SENDER.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and SENDER are displayed.
•Release SW1 (I). Speed will display  and the message center will display current setting
oDefault setting is NORMAL
•Tap SW1 (I) until  and BUS are displayed
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until speed displays “ –“, and message center displays DONE
•Release SW1 (I). Speed will display  and the message center will display ADJUST
•Tap SW1 until  and DONE are displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until speed displays “ –“ and the message center displays DONE
•You may turn off the key now.
Setting the World Clock Time Zone Hours
➢The time from the GPS is setup through the VFD3 BIM setup.
•Hold SW1 (I) for the VFD3 control box, and turn key on.
oSpeed will display  and the message display will show SETUP.
•Release SW1. Speed will display  and the message center will display SPEED.
•Tap SW1 (I) until  and BIM are displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and SCAN X is displayed.
oX = the number channels. Default is “3”, (Clock, Compass, Altimeter).
•Release SW1 (I).  and SCAN will be displayed.
•Tap SW1 (I) once for  and SETUP to be displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and SETUP are displayed.
•Release SW1 (I). Speed will display “” and the message center will display CLOCK.
o represents the clock is using ID channel 7.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and LABEL are displayed.
•Release SW1 (I).  and CLOCK are displayed.
oThe label for the clock is “CLOCK”, and cannot be changed.
•Hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and CLOCK is displayed.
oIf the system has a second message center, it will also display CLOCK.
•Release SW1 (I),  and the hours will display in the message center.
•Tap SW1 (I) to change the hours in the message center.
oGPS minutes are atomically accurate, only the hours are changed for the time zone
•Press and hold SW1 (I) to save hours, until “ –“ and the hours are displayed
•Release SW1 (I).  and DONE are displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until “ –“ and DONE are displayed.
•Release SW1 (I). The speed will show the software version and message will display INFO.
•You may turn off the key now.

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Setup VHX
Using speed from the GPS-50-2 without a BIM-01-x connected
GPS-50-2 BIM speed MUST be enabled. See page 15 for details.
➢Connect the GPS-50-2 to the instrument system control box with the supplied BIM power/data cable(s).
•Hold SW1 (I) for the VHX control box, and turn key on.
oThe VHX LCD display should show SETUP SPEED.
•Release SW1. The message display should show SPEED.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until the LCD will display SPEED SENDER
•Release SW1 (I), the LCD will still display SPEED SENDER
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until only SENDER is displayed.
•Release SW1 (I). The display will read SENDER and the sender type.
oThe default reading is SENDER NORMAL
•Tap SW1 (I) until SENDER BUS is displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 until a large DONE is displayed
•Release SW1 (I), and the LCD should display SPEED ADJUST.
•Tap SW1 (I) until SPEED DONE is displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until a large DONE is displayed.
•You may turn the key off now.
Setting the World Clock Time Zone Hours
➢The time from the GPS clock is setup through the VHX BIM setup.
➢The VHX clock is still done at the clock screen on the display, and not in setup.
•Hold SW1 (I) for the VHX control box, and turn key on.
oThe VHX LCD display should show SETUP SPEED.
•Release SW1 (I). The message display should show SPEED.
•Press and release SW1 until SETUP BIM is displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I). The LCD will display SCANNING with CH and counting numbers.
•Release SW1 when the LCD displays FOUND XX and XX ERRORS.
oThe XX represent the number of channels found or that have conflicts
oWith only the GPS-50-2 the LCD should display FOUND 03 and 00 ERRORS
oIf the display reads FOUND 00, check connections and constant power to GPS-50-2
•Tap SW1 (I) to display BUS SCAN.
•Tap SW1 (I) once to display BUS SETUP.
•Press and hold SW1 (I), until the message changes.
oIf only using the GPS-50-2 it will read BIM CH 07 and CLOCK.
oIf another BIM is in the chain and uses a lower channel, tap SW1 (I) to display BIM CH 07
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until the LCD displays CH 07 CLOCK LABEL.
•Release SW1 (I) and the LCD will continue to display CH 07 CLOCK LABEL.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until the LCD displays BIM CLOCK and 00:XX
oThe XX represents the GPS minutes –the highlighted hours may be different.
•Tap SW1 (I) to change the hours to match your current (or any) time zone.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) the screen may flash.
•Release SW1 (I) when SET AS MAIN CLOCK? Nis displayed.
oThis option could replace the onboard clock with the GPS clock.
oIf saved as “No” Nthe VHX will display two different clocks in the LCD.
•It is up to you if you want two clocks with two different times, or one clock.
•Tap SW1 (I) once to change the Nto a Ymaking the main clock the GPS clock.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) if either option is chosen.
•Release SW1 (I) when the LCD displays BIM CH 08 COMPASS
•Tap SW! (I) until the LCD displays BIM SETUP DONE
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until the LCD displays a large DONE
•Release SW1 (I). BIM DONE will be displayed.
•Press and hold SW1 (I) until the LCD displays a large DONE
•Release SW1 (I)
•You may turn the key off now.

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Setup HDX/RTX
Using speed from the GPS-50-2 without a BIM-01-x connected
GPS-50-2 BIM speed MUST be enabled. See page 15 for details.
**HDX/RTX systems can be configured with the Dakota Digital app for Apple and Android devices**
•Connect the GPS-50-2 to the instrument system control box with the supplied BIM power/data cables.
•Entering setup:
oHDX –Key on –Press and hold both switches on speed display.
▪The LCD will show “ENTER SETUP” with a scrolling bar.
▪Once “SETUP” “RELEASE” is shown, release both switches.
oRTX –Hold SW2 (II) and turn on key on.
▪System will say “SETUP” –release the switch to show the menu
•Tap the right switch, or SW2 (II), until “SPEED”is highlighted in the center.
•Hold either switch to enter submenu. Release when instructed.
•Tap switch until “INPUT” is highlighted, then hold switch. Release when instructed.
•“SIGNAL” is highlighted, hold switch. Release when instructed.
•Tap switch until “BIM” is highlighted
•Press and hold switch to save. Release when instructed.
•Tap switch until “BACK” is shown, then hold switch. Release when instructed.
•Tap to “BACK” and hold the switch. Release when instructed.
•Tap until “EXIT SETUP”is highlighted, then hold the switch. Release when instructed.
•This will make the final save, and exit the setup menu, returning to normal operation.
•You may turn the key off.
Setting the clock hours
➢The GPS-based time is automatically used by the HDX/RTX system and can be adjusted through the HDX/RTX
programming switches.
➢You can change the hours (time zone) by following the steps below.
➢NOTE: Adjusting the minutes will override the GPS-based time.
•Turn the key on.
•Tap the left switch (or SW1) until the focus arrow is beside the clock.
oIf the clock is not displayed, tap the right switch until the home screen is displayed with clock.
oHDX: 62T-FJ, 65F-MUS, 67F-PU. RTX : 47C-PU and 57C. –Clock must be set in a group screen.
oOnce the clock is in a group screen follow the same process of accessing.
•Hold either switch to enter clock setup.
•The display will show “HOLD TO SET”. Release when instructed.
•The hours will begin flashing. Tap the right switch to increase the hours, tap the left switch to decrease.
•Press and hold either switch to save the hours. The minutes will flash.
•Press and hold either switch to skip past minutes.
oMinutes could be changed, BUT: adjusting the minutes will override the GPS-based time.
oTap the right switch to increase the minutes, tap the left switch to decrease the minutes.
•Press and hold either switch to return to normal operation.

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Setup for Standalone Speed
Using Speed 1 or Speed 2 wired to control box or gauge:
•When using a standalone speedometer.
•When a system control box is connected to BIM-01-2 series.
•When using an early model control box with no BIM support.
The speedometer’s signal input should be connected to either SPEED 1 or SPEED 2 depending on the
speedometer requirements.
SPEED 1 is a square wave signal for some OEM and aftermarket speedometers.
SPEED 2 is a sine wave signal for most older speedometers.
Dakota Digital speedometers, and dash systems, can use either output.
CRUISE is a square wave output for most cruise controls.
If you are unsure of which to use, start with SPEED 1 and then switch to SPEED 2 if 1 doesn’t work.
You can also test the speedometer connection by entering the Speedometer Output Setup / Test described on
page 17.
When the correct signal is obtained, most speedometers should read 60 mph.
All three outputs generate the same speed frequency.
Connecting to stand alone speedometer
Dakota Digital ODY or ODYR/SLX speedometer = Gray VSS wire
Connect either SPEED 1 or SPEED 2 to the speed input to the control box
Early VFD3 or STR control box = SPEED terminal
VFD3/VHX = SPD SND terminal
HDX/RTX = “Speed Input”SIG terminal
Normally no changes are required to the system control box.
Default settings on all control boxes with a “I/O AUX”or “BIM I/O”input are:
VFD3/VHX = SPEED SENDER = NORMAL
HDX/RTX = SPEED > INPUT > SIGNAL = SENSOR
You may refer to the previous setup screens, to verify settings.
However, do not change the setting to BUS or BIM.
Speed Calibrations:
The following speed calibrations can be done without the need to drive the car.
ODY, ODYR/SLX, STR and early metal box VFD3 systems are defaulted to read 8,000 pulses per mile.
VHX/HDX/RTX and black plastic cased VFD3 system are defaulted to 16,000 pulse per mile.
Follow the Speedometer Output/Test setup on the next pages to generate a 60 MPH speed signal
For 8,000 PPM devices set the output to (*default)
For 16,000 PPM devices, set the output to .
To eliminate the “PLEASE SET SPEED” messages, the speed calibration can usually be done with the adjust mode
without even driving the car.
When the GPS-50-2 is sending out the correct test signal, the speedometer should be reading 60 MPH (96
km/h) or be adjusted to 60 MPH (96 km/h).