Americaloc ST4500 - User Manual

Frequently asked questions
Where to connect your device:
Each color and star shows a common place where the OBD - II port is located. It may vary depending on
the model of your car:
Activate your account and device AMERICALOC ST4500
Go to www.americaloc.com, select
United States and click the
Activate Now button.
https://us.americaloc.com/legal_info.html
Fill in the required information. The IMEI
code can be found below the bar code
that is printed on the back of your device.
Your account will now be ready to use.
Go to www.americaloc.com and
log in with the username and
password established in the
previous step.
Purchase one of our service plans by
clicking on the Click to pay service button.
A window will open to provide you with
payment instructions.
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Welcome to AMERICALOC
IMPORTANT:
please contact us at support@americaloc.com
knowledgeable customer service representatives are standing by to explain our services and to assist
you in getting the most from your GPS tracking service.
Plug the device into the OBD-II port of
your car. On the section “Where to connect
most common locations of the OBD port.
please contact us at support@americaloc.com
in order to assist you.
Your device should be active within 15
minutes of payment. This is the time the
SIM card takes to activate. Your device
already comes with a SIM card installed.
Please do not remove the SIM card.
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LED Device Status
Blink Count
CEL
(blue)
GPS
(red)
Connected
Server Communication Error
LTE-M1 Communication Error
No network
SIM PIN Locked
Can not attach to Network
No SIM
Connected
GPS chip is searching GPS info
GPS Chipset Error or
GPS Antenna Error
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2. How does this technology work?
location to our servers. Your device needs both: mobile network and GPS signals to work.
3. Do I need to purchase or provide a SIM card?
No, we ship the device with the SIM card it needs to transmit data. That SIM card only works with this
device.
Dear Customer. This section contains very important information. Please do not skip it.
1. How long does it take to activate my device after processing a payment?
If you plan to use the unit outside of the U.S. please contact Americaloc support
Appearance and LED behavior

Summary

Activate Your Device and Account

Account Activation Steps

Steps to activate account online, select country, and purchase service plan.

Device Installation and Activation

How to plug in the device into the OBD-II port and what to expect during activation.

Device Appearance and LED Indicators

LED Status and Device Behavior

Explanation of LED colors (CEL, GPS) and blink counts indicating device status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Activation, Technology, and SIM Card

Covers device activation time, working technology, and SIM card provision.

Troubleshooting and Device Performance

Addresses SIM card issues, location visibility, accuracy, weather, payment, and service expiry.

Locating Your Device

Basic Location Instructions

Guide on viewing device location, configuring update intervals, and setting up notifications.

Viewing Historical Data

How to Watch History

Steps to access and view historical location data and device activity logs.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Americaloc ST4500 is a GPS tracking device designed for vehicle monitoring and location services. It offers real-time tracking, historical data, and various notification features to keep users informed about their vehicle's status and movements.

Function Description

The primary function of the Americaloc ST4500 is to provide GPS tracking for vehicles. It connects to the vehicle's OBD-II port, drawing power and potentially reading data from the vehicle's onboard diagnostics system. The device uses satellite data to determine its location and then transmits this information via mobile networks to Americaloc's servers. Users can access this data through a web portal or a dedicated mobile application ("Americaloc Viewer") available on Google Play Store and the App Store.

Key functionalities include:

• Real-time Location Tracking: The device updates its location at predefined intervals, with a default of one minute while moving. Users can configure the location update interval for both moving and stationary states.
• Historical Data: The system stores historical location data, allowing users to review past routes and actions taken by the device over specific date and time ranges. This can be accessed via the "History" tab on the web interface, with options for pre-determined ranges or advanced searches.
• Notifications: Users can set up various email or text message notifications for specific events, such as "Ignition On."
• Internal Memory: In areas with poor mobile network coverage, the device has internal memory to store location data, which is then transmitted once network connectivity is re-established.

Important Technical Specifications

While specific technical specifications like dimensions, weight, or exact power consumption are not detailed, the manual highlights several operational aspects:

• Connectivity: Utilizes GPS for location determination and mobile networks (LTE-M1) for data transmission.
• Power Source: Plugs into the vehicle's OBD-II port, indicating it draws power directly from the vehicle.
• SIM Card: Comes with a pre-installed SIM card that is specific to the device and should not be removed.
• LED Indicators: The device features two LED indicators:
  • CEL (blue) LED: Indicates network and server communication status. Blink counts range from 1 (Connected) to 7 (No SIM), covering errors like server communication, LTE-M1 communication, no network, SIM PIN locked, and inability to attach to the network.
  • GPS (red) LED: Indicates GPS status. Blink counts include 1 (Connected), 2 (searching GPS info), and 4 (GPS Chipset Error or GPS Antenna Error).

Usage Features

The Americaloc ST4500 is designed for ease of use, with a straightforward activation and monitoring process:

• Activation: Users activate their account and device online by visiting www.americaloc.com, selecting "United States," and clicking "Activate Now." This involves providing personal information and the device's IMEI number.
• Installation: The device is designed for simple plug-and-play installation into the vehicle's OBD-II port. The manual provides an image illustrating common OBD-II port locations.
• Account Management: Users log in to their account to manage devices, view locations, and configure settings.
• Service Plans: Users must purchase a service plan for the device to function, which can be done via a "Click to pay service" button on the web portal. The device becomes active within 15 minutes of payment.
• Device Settings: Through the web interface (using a "Settings tool" or wrench icon), users can access and configure device settings, including location update intervals and notification preferences.
• Mobile App: A dedicated mobile application, "Americaloc Viewer," is available for convenient tracking on smartphones.

Maintenance Features

The manual emphasizes several aspects related to the device's maintenance and troubleshooting:

• Self-Contained Unit: The device comes with a pre-installed SIM card, eliminating the need for users to purchase or install one. Users are explicitly instructed not to remove the SIM card.
• Troubleshooting Support: Americaloc provides customer support via email (support@americaloc.com) and phone (8558303390) for any issues or assistance needed. Video tutorials are also available on their YouTube channel.
• Error Indicators: The LED blink codes serve as a diagnostic tool, allowing users to quickly identify the status of network, server, and GPS connections.
• Environmental Considerations: Users are advised against placing the device in very hot or humid environments or exposing it to direct sunlight, as extreme temperatures can damage the device or cause battery explosion (though the ST4500 is OBD-powered, this advice might be generalized from other Americaloc devices or refer to internal components). Atmospheric conditions like rain or snow can weaken signals, affecting accuracy or communication.
• Signal Dependency: The device relies on both mobile network and GPS signals to function correctly. Poor mobile network signal (e.g., in areas with poor data coverage) or poor GPS signal (e.g., when covered by thick surfaces, inside buildings, underground, or near tall buildings) can lead to inaccurate or unavailable location data.
• Payment Reminders: The system provides reminders for service plan renewal, with a "Expires soon. Click to renew" button appearing ten days before expiration. Users must manually process payments, as automatic debits are not used.
• International Use: Users planning to use the unit outside the U.S. are advised to contact Americaloc support for configuration or a different SIM card.

Americaloc ST4500 Specifications

General

Brand	Americaloc
Model	ST4500
Category	GPS
Language	English