NERO 6600 Series Beacon Family Instruction Manual

: June 16, 2024
: Nero

Table of Contents

Vehicle Productivity, Security, and ELD Compliance
Antenna Configuration
External Antenna Installation (6600 and 6650 only)
Beacon Installation
Wiring Optional Add-ons
LED Indicators
Warning and Known Issues
Addendum A – Power/Data Cable Options
Addendum B – J1939 Type-2 (Green) Cable Adapter
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

installation guide
Nero 66xx Beacon Family

Vehicle Productivity, Security, and ELD Compliance

The 66xx family of beacons includes the following models:

6600 – 3G with external antenna
6601 – 3G with internal antenna
6650 – 4G (LTE) with external antenna
6651 – 4G (LTE) with internal antenna
6681 – 4G (LTE) with internal antenna

These versatile GPS tracking beacons are designed for fleet management needs in all commercial vehicles. The 66xx connects directly to the vehicle’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) through the engine diagnostics port.
The beacon forms the on-board recording portion of Nero’s compliant Electronic Logging Device (ELD) solution for Hours of Service (HOS) and Driver-Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) logging, by supplying all required data via Bluetooth to the ELD display.
Combined with our commercial mobile monitoring portal, subscribers can manage and view the location of any or all vehicles in a fleet, run a variety of valuable reports, and manage vehicle maintenance alerts.

Antenna Configuration

The 66xx beacons have a combined GPS/cell network antenna module. The 6600 and 6650 models use an external antenna attached with FAKRA connectors, while the 6601, 6651 and 6681 are equipped with an internal antenna housed within the beacon.
For either configuration, the antenna must be positioned in the vehicle so that it has a clear signal path to as much of the sky as possible, without metal obstruction. For internal antennas, the beacon itself must be positioned properly for good signal reception.

External Antenna Installation (6600 and 6650 only)

The following antenna models are supported:
Standard Antenna

Part Number: 6xx0-ANT-STD
Black plastic housing; approx. 2.5 in (64 mm) diameter; 0.4 in (10 mm) depth
Mounted with peel-and-stick adhesive patch

Weatherproof Drill-through Antenna

Part Number: 6xx0-ANT-WPA-DT
Black plastic housing with rubber weather-seal; approx. 2.5 in (64 mm) diameter; 0.7 in (18 mm) depth (excluding screw post)
Screw post mount for drill-through applications

For best performance, the top of the antenna should face the sky through the area of least signal blockage.

If the installation is not required to be covert, an ideal location is underneath the front windshield glass. For covert installations, an ideal location is under the dashboard, as close to the front windshield as possible.
In a car, the antenna can be mounted under the rear window or in a trunk, under the rear deck, as close to the rear window as possible.

Antenna Installation Notes

Signals will penetrate upholstery, carpet, plastic dashboards, etc., but not metal panels or brackets.
Signals will penetrate window glass but not metallic tinted windows or painted edges of windows.
Radio antenna or defrost wires embedded in glass may degrade signals.

Beacon Installation

The Nero 66xx is supplied with a cable to connect the device to the vehicle data port. Different vehicles support different types of data ports. The 66xx supports the following port configurations:

J1939 Deutsch Type-1 (9-pin – black)
J1939 Deutsch Type-2 (9-pin – green)
J1708 Deutsch (6-pin)
OBDII with CAN support
RP 1226 (14-pin)

Most vehicles support the J1939 Type-1 connector. The images in this section of the document as well as in the wiring charts represent this cable choice.
If your vehicle requires a different connector cable, please refer to the Addendum A – Power/Data Cable Options included at the end of this document.
Begin the installation by firmly pressing the 20 pin Molex connector onto the 66xx, as shown in the picture.

Next, locate the diagnostics port on the vehicle, and with the vehicle ignition turned off, connect the cable. The cable connector has a locking ring. To lock the cable in place turn the dial clockwise until it clicks.
Once the vehicle ignition is turned on, the LED indicators will show the state of the device. Please refer to the LED Indicators section below.

Securing the 66xx

Use zip-ties to secure the beacon in place. There are convenient slots in the case to assist with this. The 66xx should be located where it will receive a good GPS signal, ideally underneath the front windshield glass or beneath the dashboard.
For model 6601 and 6651 (internal antenna) beacons, it is important that the top face of the beacon (the side with the large label) is facing the sky with no metallic obstruction.
Ensure any extra wire is secured and is not obstructing any vehicle controls.
Visibility of the indicator LEDs will be useful for testing and troubleshooting.

Wiring Optional Add-ons

Depending on the type of add-ons to be supported for the installation, colored connector wires may be required in addition to the base J1939 cable. These wires will be attached directly to the 20-pin Molex connector, outside of the J1939 wire bundle, as shown in the diagram below.
To ensure that the correct connections are in place, please refer to the appropriate Feature Installation Guide from Nero when wiring add-ons.

20-pin Molex Connector – Pin Descriptions

Pin	Wire Color	Description	Pin	Wire Color	Description
1	Black	GND	11	White	Switch 2 input (+)
2	Yellow	Relay 2 output (-) [ Buzzer Control]	12	Yellow (J1939 cable)

This pin is not used for the Type-1 cable, but may be used on other cables as an identifier for the cable/ port type: +12v indicates BD, GND indicates J1939 500 kHz, and OPEN indicates J1939 250 kHz.

LED Indicators

The 66xx has two LEDs on the top of the device which provide feedback about the current state.

When the ignition is first turned on the Green indicator will show solid for about 30 seconds. After this initial setup period, the Green LED will blink slowly (8 times in 10 seconds) when the Ignition is turned off, and rapidly (25 times in 10 seconds) when the Ignition is turned on.
The Red LED is used to indicate error conditions by flashing a 2-digit code. The first digit indicates the general error type (1=hardware, 2=modem, 3=GPS, 4=end-to-end service) and the second digit indicates a more specific error described in the table below. Note that if multiple error conditions exist, the Red LED will cycle through all current error conditions.

RED LED Error Codes

1st Digit	2nd Digit	Error Condition
1	1	License key has expired. Please contact Nero Support
1	2	Low supply voltage. Ensure that the vehicle battery is supplying

adequate voltage.

Contact Nero Support if the error persists.

1| 3| Data usage exceeded. Please contact Nero Support.
2| 1| Modem module fault. Please contact Nero Support.
2| 2| No SIM inserted. Please contact Nero Support.
2| 3| No cellular signal.
2| 4| Network not found. Please contact Nero Support to verify the SIM activation.
2| 5| Last data session failed.
2| 6| GPRS not attached. Please verify beacon activation.
3| 1| GPS module fault. Please contact Nero Support.
3| 2| GPS antenna fault.
3| 3| GPS not tracking any satellites.
3| 4| GPS no fix (< 3 satellites).
3| 5| GPS has no time.
4| 2| Data transfer failed. *

These issues may be caused by an incorrectly positioned beacon.
If the device is connected properly and has an unobstructed view of the sky, and the error persists, please contact Nero Support at support@neroglobal.com

Warning and Known Issues

It is important that the cable is installed fully onto the diagnostics port, and that the device is firmly attached to the vehicle. Excessive vibrations from a loose installation can cause incorrect results.
The 66xx beacons are not waterproof or sealed devices. Care must be taken to ensure the device is kept away from water or any other liquids, as well as excessive dust.
The 66xx beacons may be incompatible with certain models of vehicles. For more information please contact your Nero dealer.
The older external antennas that were previously shipped with the 3G beacons are not compatible with the newer 4G devices. If you are upgrading a 3G beacon to a 6650 (4G) model, then the external antenna must also be upgraded to one of the models described in this document.
The 6681 beacon model does not support Bluetooth, and therefore cannot be used for ELD configurations.
The 6681 beacon model does not support the J1708 protocol, and therefore will not function in vehicles that have the J1708 Deutsch (6-pin) diagnostics port. Please refer to Addendum A – Power/Data Cable Options.

Addendum A – Power/Data Cable Options

The Nero 66xx is supplied with a cable to connect the device to the vehicle data port. Different vehicles support different types of data ports. Please be sure to specify the appropriate cable that matches your vehicle port. The following chart describes the port configurations that are supported.

Vehicle Port	Available Power Cable

J1939 Deutsch Type-1 (9-pin – black)
This is the most commonly available J1939 port at present.| J1939 Type-1 Y-Cable
A Y-cable is available for vehicles with a Type-1 J1939 port. The Y-cable splits the J1939 connector into two parts, as shown in the image below. A typical installation involves the removal of the port from the vehicle dashboard, replacing it with the port-end of the Y-cable, and plugging the J1939 connector end of the Y-cable into the original vehical port behind the dashboard.
In this manner the 66xx and all cabling may be installed behind the dashboard, leaving the visible J1939 port free for use with other diagnostic equipment as required.
J1939 Deutsch Type-2 (9-pin – green)| J1939 Type-2 Y-Cable
This port supports the higher bus speed found on certain modern vehicles (model year 2014 or later).| A Y-cable is available for connecting the 66xx to vehicles supporting this port type. Type-2 (green) connectors are designed to be backwards compatible and may be used in vehicles with a Type-1 (black) port.
Once installed, the dashboard port will be changed to green, but the vehicle bus will still be Type-1. To avoid confusion, please use the warning label included with the cable.There are four connector variants for the Type-2 Y-cable that allow for easy attachment to the dashboard. Select the connector that matches your vehicles (e.g., threads behind dash or in front of dash. Unscrew the base of the connector to remove the socket, slide the desired connector option into place, and then reattach the socket to the cable.
| Video for additional reference on our YouTube Channel : https://youtu.be/LjldWwfZ5SU
J1708 Deutsch (6-pin)| J1708 Y-CableA Y-cable is available for connecting the 66xx to vehicles supporting this port type. Please note that this cable is incompatible with beacon model 6681.
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OBDII with CAN Support

Found in certain models of Volvo and Mack vehicles, this port supports the CAN bus connectivity through a 16-pin OBDII port.

| OBDII Single Wire or Y-Cable

The OBDII power/data connector is available as a single wire or Y-cable.

The Y-cable includes various connectors for attaching the cable to the OBDII port on the dashboard. Choose the connector that matches your vehicle.

Warning: Some electric vehicles are equipped with two OBDII-style ports. One is the EV port used by the manufacturer for firmware updates, and the other is the OBDII diagnostic port used for the 66xx. Connecting the 66xx to the EV port may damage the vehicle. Check your vehicle documentation to correctly identify the ports.

RP 1226 (14-pin)

The RP 1226 is a newer connector designed specifically for ELD use. It may be found in trucks with model year 2018 and later.

| RP 1226 Single Wire Cable
The RP 1226 power/data connector is only available as a single wire. *Please note that this cable has not been fully tested with beacon model 6681 and may be incompatible.
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Cable Part Numbers

When ordering a Nero 66xx device, please specify the power/data cable option using the following part numbers.

Part Number	66xx Power/Data Cable Description
6601-PC-TYPE1-Y	20-pin Molex to 9-Pin Deutsch Type-1 (black) connector.

Y-cable.
6601-PC-TYPE2-Y| 20-pin Molex to 9-Pin Deutsch Type-2 (green) connector. Y-cable.
6601-PC-TYPE2-Y-ADAPTER| 20-pin Molex adapter for 9-Pin Deutsch Type-2 (green) connector. (see Addendum B)
6601-PC-J1708-Y| 20-pin Molex to 6-Pin Deutsch connector. Y-cable.
6601-PC-OBD| 20-pin Molex to OBDII connector with CAN support. Single wire.
66xx-PC-OBD-Y-M| 20-pin Molex to OBDII connector with CAN support. Y-cable.
66xx-PC-1226| 20-pin Molex to 14-pin RP 1226 connector. Single wire.

Addendum B – J1939 Type-2 (Green) Cable Adapter

Some heavy-duty vehicles with J1939 Deutsch Type-2 (9-pin – green) connectors may require the use of an adaptor (part number 6601-PC-TYPE2-Y-ADAPTER) to connect the cable to the 66xx device. If needed, this adapter is connected to the Molex end of the J1939 cable, and plugs directly into the 66xx device.

Important

Not using an adaptor when one is required will result in limited engine data being reported (e.g. odometer will typically not be reported).
Using an adaptor when not required will result in no engine data being reported.

How to determine if the adapter is required
To determine whether or not the adapter may be required, use a voltmeter to calculate the voltage between Pin F on the vehicle port and Battery Negative (Chassis ground), and Pin G on the vehicle port and Battery Negative.

The adapter is not required if:

voltage between Pin F – Batt Neg measures approximately 5V
voltage between Pin G – Batt Neg measures approximately 1V

The adapter is required if:

voltage between Pin F – Batt Neg measures between 2V~3V
voltage between Pin G – Batt Neg measures between 2V~3V

Please note

Vehicles with a J1939 Deutsch Type-1 (9-pin – black) connector do not require the adapter.
2017 or later Peterbilt models with a Paccar engine typically require the adapter.
Some 2019 Peterbilt models with a Paccar engine may not require the adapter regardless of the result of the voltage test described above.

Addendum C – OBDII Cable Modification for Hardwired Ignition Sense
For certain vehicles with OBDII data connectors, the Ignition Sense provided by the OBDII connection may be inconsistent, typically resulting in missing trips reported in the Nero portal. To alleviate the problem, the Ignition Sense may be hardwired to a vehicle ignition source rather than the OBDII connector.
This addendum describes the necessary modification to the OBDII connector cable to provide hardwired Ignition Sense to the 66xx device.
Below is an image of the unmodified 20-pin Molex connector on the OBDII cable.

Steps to Modify the Cable

Important note: please complete all cable modifications prior to connecting the cable to either the 66xx device or the OBDII port.

The white “loop” that connects pins 7 and 15 is the ignition sense wire. Snip this loop in half, creating separate connections to pins 7 and 15.
Extend the white wire connected to pin 15. During installation, this extension is hard-wired to an available ignition source within the vehicle. It is recommended that a 3A fuse be connected to this extension.
Connect the white wire on pin 7 to the power source on pin 8 by splicing the white wire onto the red power wire.
The final result will look like the picture to the right.

Addendum D – NET Vehicle Collector Installation

The Nero Equipment Tracking Vehicle Collector is a separate device installed in the vehicle which connects to the Nero beacon in the 10-pin Molex Mfg/Data Connector port indicated in the wiring diagram. The model VI-320 Vehicle Collector (part number Collector-V-3.2) is supplied with a 12-inch interface cable that has an RS232 connector and a 10-pin Molex connector.

Please follow these steps carefully to install and test the Vehicle Collector.

Make note of both the Vehicle Collector Serial Number and the Beacon IMEI. Have at least two equipment tags on hand for testing the device.
Install the Nero 66xx beacon as per this installation guide.
Make sure the vehicle ignition is OFF.
Connect the RS232 end of the interface cable to the Vehicle Collector’s RS232 port.
There are two screws on each side of the RS232 port which are turned clockwise to secure the Vehicle Collector to the cable.
The 10-pin Molex connector on the interface cable can be inserted directly into the 66xx port, or an extension cable may be used if the Vehicle Collector needs to be installed further away from the beacon.
The Vehicle Collector must be installed in a location where the signal to the asset tags will not be blocked. An ideal location is on the ceiling or beside a door, close to where the tracked equipment will be loaded. Ensure there is air flow around the device and the location is free of moisture and excessive dust.
The Vehicle Collector case has flanges which may be used to secure it in place with screws. If this is not possible, cable ties, Velcro, or heavy-duty double-sided tape may be used. Once the Vehicle Collector is securely installed and connected to the beacon, it is ready to be tested.
Turn ON the vehicle ignition.
One of the Red LED lights on the Vehicle Collector will remain on. This is the power indicator. The other Red LED light will blink when the Vehicle Collector is scanning asset tags.
While the ignition remains ON, call Nero Technical Support (1-866-514-7653) to verify the installation. You will need to provide the Vehicle Collector Serial Number and the Beacon IMEI noted earlier.
Wait several minutes before you turn OFF the ignition to ensure all tags are scanned.
After the vehicle ignition is turned OFF, the Green LED of the Vehicle Collector will turn ON for 10 seconds to indicate the Ignition Off event has been received by the Vehicle Collector.

Warnings

Important Configuration Note: In order for the Nero portal to reliably receive tag data from the Vehicle Collector, the Nero Beacon must have a 24×7 Ignition Sense scenario configured in the portal.

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