ITRON Mobile Collector Lite User manual

Mobile Collector Lite
Installation Guide
Mobile Collector Lite

Identification
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide
Part number: TDC-0730-000b (FCC copy) 11/06
Copyright
© 2006 Itron, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Trademark Notice
Itron is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc.
All other product names and logos in this documentation are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Disclaimer
RF EXPOSURE
To comply with FCC requirements, maintain a separation distance of at least 40.0 cm between the antenna and all persons.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
Use only approved accessories with this equipment. In general all cables must be high quality, shielded, correctly
terminated, and normally restricted to 2 meters in length. The Mobile Collector employs special provisions to avoid radio
interference and should not be altered or substituted.
Unapproved modifications or operation beyond or in conflict with these instructions for use, may void authorization by the
authorities to operate the equipment.
WARNING! Do not visually monitor or physically adjust the Mobile Collection
system while driving. While driving, rely on the beeps produced when meter data
is collected to indicate proper system operation. Visually monitoring or adjusting
the Mobile Collection system while driving will divert your attention from your
safe driving responsibilities. Attention to driving is your primary responsibility.
Suggestions
If you have comments or suggestions on how we may improve this documentation, send them to
[email protected]
If you have questions or comments about this application, contact Itron Customer Support:
•Mail: Itron, Inc.; Attention: Customer Support; 2111 N. Molter Road; Spokane, WA 99019
•E-mail: [email protected]
•Phone: [phone]

Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
Unpacking the MCLite Hardware................................................................................ 1
RF Unit Features .......................................................................................................... 2
The LED Status Indicator.......................................................................................... 2
MCLite Installation Overview...................................................................................... 3
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide 3

Contents
4 Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide

Introduction
This document contains information to help you install your Mobile
Collector Lite (MCLite, for short) RF unit (radio) and FC200
handheld meter data collector in a vehicle.
See your MV-RS CE Handheld Guide or the MV-RS CE online help
for information on how to run MCLite from the MV-RS software
running on the FC200.
You will also need to consult the following related documents:
•FC200 Getting Started Guide, which contains instructions for
using and maintaining the FC200 handheld meter data collector.
•FC200 Vehicle Dock User’s Guide, which contains instructions
for using and maintaining the FC200 vehicle dock.
Except where it states otherwise, this guide uses the terms
FC200 and handheld interchangeably.
Unpacking the MCLite Hardware
Your MCLite installation package should include these items:
•1 MCLite RF unit
•1 RF unit vehicle mount
•2 bench seat straps
•1 FC200 interface cable
•1 power cable with cigarette lighter adapter
•1 antenna and magnetic mount with attached antenna cable
•1 FC200 handheld meter data collector
•1 FC200 vehicle dock [w/retention bracket?]
•1 FC200 vehicle dock [mounting plate]
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide 1

RF Unit Features
2 Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide
•1 FC200 Getting Started Guide
•1 FC200 Vehicle Dock User's Guide
•1 shipping case
RF Unit Features
The following illustration identifies the main features of the MCLite
RF unit.
List of features
1 Power supply socket 5 Radio status LED
2
3 Coaxial magnetic-mount
antenna connector 6 Bluetooth antenna
FC200 communication/
power port 4 Fuse
The LED Status Indicator
The MCLite RF unit has a light-emitting diode (LED) radio status
indicator that shows when the unit is in stand-by mode and when its
radio is turned on.
LED indication Explanation
Blinking Stand-by mode. The RF unit has power, but the
radio is not turned on.
Steady The radio is turned on. The RF retrieves meter
data from all ERT endpoints within its range.
Off The RF unit is not receiving power. Check power
connections and fuse.

MCLite Installation Overview
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide 3
MCLite Installation Overview
Installing the MCLite hardware in a vehicle involves the following
procedures:
1. Install the FC200 vehicle dock. See the instructions in the FC200
Vehicle Dock User's Guide included with the MCLite installation
package.
2. Set up the FC200 handheld data collector. See the instructions in
the FC200 Getting Started Guide included with the MCLite
installation package.
3. Install the MVR handheld software on the FC200. See
“Installing the MVR Handheld Software” in the MV-RS
Installation Guide.
4. Insert the FC200 into the vehicle dock.
5. Mount the MCLite RF unit on the passenger-side seat back.
6. Connect the RF unit to its power supply through the vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.
7. (Optional) Connect the FC200 handheld to the RF unit, using the
[RS-232] cable provided.
This cable provides power to the handheld, as well as
communications with the RF unit. If you do not use the cable to
connect the handheld to the RF unit, the handheld will draw
power from its internal battery and automatically use Bluetooth
technology to communicate with the unit.
8. Install the RF unit's magnetic-mount antenna, using the antenna's
magnetic roof mount and coaxial antenna cable.
To mount the MCLite RF unit (radio) on the passenger-side
seat back
1. Slide the RF unit into the vehicle mount.

MCLite Installation Overview
4 Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide
You can strap the mount to either the front or the back of the
passenger-side seat back. Position the unit within the mount so
that when it is strapped to the seat back, the unit's connectors
face toward the passenger-side door.
WARNING! Positioning the unit properly is critical for ensuring that the RF
unit's cooling vents will not be blocked.
Secure the RF unit in the mount by buckling the two diagonal
corner straps.
2. Depending on whether the vehicle has a separate passenger-side
bucket seat or a bench seat, do one of the following:

MCLite Installation Overview
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide 5
•Bucket seat – Extending the mounting straps from the side of
the vehicle mount, wrap them around the seat back and
buckle them to the opposite side of the vehicle mount.
•Bench seat – connect the optional bench-seat straps to the
buckles on the bottom of the vehicle mount.

MCLite Installation Overview
6 Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide
Push the free ends of the straps between the seat cushion and
the seat back, and then extend them up and over the top of
the seat back and connect them to the buckles on the top of
the vehicle mount.
3. Tighten the straps until the RF unit is snug against the seat back.
To connect the RF unit to its power supply
1. Plug the the RF unit's power supply cable into the unit's power
connector.
2. Plug the cigarette lighter adapter at the other end of the cable
into the vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.

MCLite Installation Overview
Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide 7
To connect the FC200 to the RF unit
1. Plug the FC200 interface cable provided into the FC200 interface
connector on the RF unit.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into the FC200's RS-232 port.
To install the RF unit's antenna
1. Place the magnetic base of the antenna on the vehicle roof, on
the passenger side.
2. Extend the free end of the antenna cable through the passenger-
side window and connect it to the RF unit's coaxial antenna
connector.

MCLite Installation Overview
8 Mobile Collector Lite Installation Guide