Zebra VC5090 Quick Reference Manual

VC5090 Vehicle Computer

Quick Reference Guide

2 VC5090 Vehicle Computer

© 2015 Symbol Technologies, Inc.

Zebra reserves the right to make changes to any product to improve
reliability, function, or design.

Zebra does not assume any product liability arising out of, or in
connection with, the application or use of any product, circuit, or
application described herein.

No license is granted, either expressly or by implication, estoppel, or
otherwise under any patent right or patent, covering or relating to any

combination, system, apparatus, machine, material, method, or process
in which Zebra products might be used. An implied license exists only for
equipment, circuits, and subsystems contained in Zebra products.

Zebra and the Zebra head graphic are registered trademarks of ZIH
Corp. The Symbol logo is a registered trademark of Symbol
Technologies, Inc., a Zebra Technologies company. Other product
names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies and are hereby acknowledged.

Zebra Technologies Corporation
Lincolnshire, IL U.S.A.

http://www.zebra.com

Warranty

Subject to the terms of Zebra’s hardware warranty statement, the
VC5090 Vehicle Computer products are warranted against defects in
workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of
shipment. For the complete Zebra hardware product warranty statement,
go to: http://www.zebra.com/warranty.

Quick Reference Guide 3

Introduction

The VC5090 Vehicle Computer is a vehicle or fixed-mount computer
consisting of two configurations: a full-screen computer with optional
keyboard and a half screen configuration with a integrated keyboard. You
can enter data using the touch screen, the keyboard, an optional bar
code scanner, or a combination of the three. The data is transmitted
wirelessly to a host computer. The vehicle computer features:

• Ergonomic design with color LCD touch screen

• Internal wide-range power supply (10 - 72 VDC) to accommodate

propane, gasoline, and electric-powered forklifts

• Internal antennas with external antenna port

• Interfaces with scanners, printers, audio devices and other

peripherals

• Continuous operation at -30

• Optional touch screen heater for freezer applications

• Pre-loaded with terminal emulation software.

°C (-22 °F)

About This Guide

This guide contains the following:

• Features on page 4

• Unpacking on page 5

• Optional Accessories on page 5

• Installation on page 6

• Powering the VC5090 On/Off on page 21

• Connecting Accessories on page 24

• Maintenance on page 25

• Troubleshooting on page 25

• Regulatory Information on page 27.

For more information including installation instructions, refer to the
VC5090 Product Reference Guide, p/n 72E-76347-xx available at

http://www.zebra.com/support.

4 VC5090 Vehicle Computer

Optional Keyboard

Power LED

Antenna Port for Optional

External Antenna

Display

Built-In Keyboard

Backlight
Control Button

Main Power Switch

Quick Access

Panel

Power Button

Backlight
Control LED

WLAN COMM LED

Mounting Bracket

Features

Quick Reference Guide 5

Desiccant Door

COM1 Port

Connector

COM2 Port

Connector

USB/ Keyboard

Connector

UPS/Memory Card Door

Audio

Connector

USB Ports

(Client

and Host)

Power
Connector

Unpacking

The following items are contained in the box:

• VC5090 vehicle computer

• mounting bracket with hardware kit

• spare desiccant kit

• power cable with fuse kit

• this guide.

NOTE The hardware kit contains items that might not be used during

installation. Keep the hardware kit in a safe place for future use.

Optional Accessories

• Heated keyboard with bracket assembly

• Scanners and scanner cables

• Headset/Handset

• Vehicle Motion Detector cable

• Printer cables

• Adjustable handles (locking knobs)

• RS-232 and USB ActiveSync cables

• Replacement power cables (straight and right angle)

• AC power supply and power cable

• Uninterruptable power supply (UPS) battery

6 VC5090 Vehicle Computer

Desiccant Bag

Desiccant Door

Desiccant Well

• Replacement desiccant bag kit

• Protective keyboard cover

• Replacement screen protector.

Installation

Installing the Desiccant Door

NOTE Zebra recommends installing the desiccant bag in

environments where extreme temperature changes occur, such
as applications where the device may be continuously moved
between a freezer and a hot/humid area. Temperature changes
would occur more often in the hot/humid months of summer
and less frequently in cold/dry months of winter. If desiccant is
not used, the desiccant door must still be installed and secured.

1. The VC5090 ships with a desiccant bag installed and a replacement

bag in the VC5090 shipping container. The installer may wish to
replace the desiccant in the VC5090 with the new bag prior to
installing the VC5090 on the vehicle, as transit and storage may have
saturated the desiccant.

2. Open the desiccant package and remove the desiccant bag.

3. Fold the four corners of the bag under to form a pillow.

4. Place the desiccant bag in the desiccant well.

5. Ensure that the door seal is in place.

6. Carefully place the desiccant door onto the back housing. Ensure that

the desiccant bag does not interfere with door seal.

CAUTION Be sure to torque the screws to seal the device properly.

Otherwise, sealing can be compromised.

Quick Reference Guide 7

Connector on PCB

UPS

7. Secure the door to the back housing using the four screws. Torque to

9 ± 0.5 kgf.cm (7.8 ± 0.4 in-lbs).

Installing the Optional UPS

NOTE The use of the optional UPS battery is recommended in every

case the power to the VC5090 can be unintentionally
interrupted during operation.

It is strongly recommended when AC power source susceptible
to power failures is used to power the VC5090.

To install the optional UPS:

CAUTION Use ESD precautions when installing the UPS.

1. Place the Main Power switch on top of the vehicle computer to the off

position.

2. Remove and discard the eight screws securing the UPS/Memory Card

door on the back of the vehicle computer.

3. Connect the UPS cable connectors to the connector on the printed

circuit board (PCB) and on the UPS.

4. Place the UPS into the well.

5. Place the UPS/Memory Card door over the UPS and secure using the

eight new screws supplied with the UPS kit.

CAUTION Be sure to torque the screws to seal the device properly.

Otherwise, sealing can be compromised.

8 VC5090 Vehicle Computer

6. Torque the screws to 9 +/- 0.5 kgf.cm (7.8 ± 0.4 in-lbs).

7. Place the Main Power switch to the on position.

It takes four hours to fully charge the UPS.

Installing a Memory Card

A memory card (Secure Digital) provides secondary non-volatile storage.
The card holder is located on the back of the VC5090 under the
UPS/Memory Card door.

To install the memory card:

1. Place the Main Power switch on the top of the vehicle computer to the

off position.

2. Remove and discard the eight screws securing the UPS/Memory Card

door.

3. Lift the card holder retaining door.

4. Position the memory card, with the contacts down, into the card

holder. The memory card corner notch fits into the holder only one
way.

5. Snap the retaining door closed.

6. Replace the UPS/Memory Card door and secure using eight new

screws.

CAUTION Ensure to torque the screws to seal the device properly.

Otherwise, sealing can be compromised.

7. Torque the screws to 9 +/- 0.5 kgf.cm (7.8 ± 0.4 in-lbs).

8. Place the Main Power switch to the on position.

Quick Reference Guide 9

Mounting Bracket

Lock Washer

Flat Washer

Friction Pad

Cap Screw (optional
locking knobs are also
available)

Friction Pad
Mounting Area

Mounting Bracket Installation

NOTE The vehicle computer and bracket must be firmly secured to a

surface that can support the vehicle computer’s weight.

CAUTION Zebra requires that the supplied mounting bracket be used

when mounting the vehicle computer. An alternate RAM
Mount mounting bracket is also available.

Assemble the mounting bracket onto the vehicle computer as shown
below.

Torque cap screws to 276 ± 8.7 kgf.cm (239.6 ± 7.6 in-lbs).

Installing the VC5090 in a Forklift

CAUTION A qualified engineer must perform the installation in a

vehicle. Improper installation can injure the operator or
damage the vehicle and/or VC5090.

Follow the instructions below to properly install the VC5090 in a forklift.

• Determine the best location for mounting the vehicle computer taking

into consideration the driver’s field of view and ease of accessing the
vehicle computer.

10 VC5090 Vehicle Computer

• Install the appropriate mounting hardware. The VC5090 ships with

four cap screws (3/8” - 16 - 2”) for securing the mounting bracket. If
the supplied cap screws are not long enough, use 3/8” - 16 - X
stainless steel cap screws where X represents the length in inches of
the required cap screws.

• Connect the vehicle computer to the vehicle’s wiring system.

Positioning the Vehicle Computer

• Position the vehicle computer to ensure proper ventilation around the

device.

• Determine the best position for the vehicle computer and all the

associated components. If a similar vehicle computer was previously
installed, check to see if the position it used is suitable for the
VC5090.

• Test the installation for at least 30 minutes before installing on another

vehicle:

- Check that the position of the

vehicle computer does not
adversely obstruct vehicle
controls.

- Check that the vehicle

computer does not adversely
obstruct the driver's view.

- Check the position of the

vehicle computer for user
comfort over long periods.

- Check positioning to avoid

extreme wrist angles that may
cause injury.

Quick Reference Guide 11

Avoid Extreme Wrist Angles

Optimum Wrist Position