PT-30 ELD Installation Guide (10 Minutes, No Mechanic Needed)
Step-by-step install for the PT-30 OBD-II ELD device with ELD Hub.
This is the same install we walk every ELD Hub driver through. Whether your PT-30 came from ELD Hub, TT ELD, Factor ELD, or another provider, the physical install is identical — the only thing that changes is which app you pair it to. Total time: under 10 minutes per truck.
PT-30 at a glance
| Install time | 5–10 minutes per truck |
| Tools needed | None — plug-in only |
| Mechanic required | No |
| Cable options | OBD-II (light-duty), 6-pin & 9-pin adapters (heavy-duty) included |
| Driver app | ELD Hub for iOS or Android — free download |
- Works on Class 3–8 trucks: Ford, Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, International, Mack.
- Includes the correct diagnostic cable for your truck — tell us your year/make/model at checkout.
- Bluetooth pairing to the ELD Hub driver app in under 60 seconds.
- Automatic HOS status detection once the engine starts.
- US-based phone support: 302-404-1177 if anything doesn't pair on the first try.
PT-30 installation guide
Takes about 10 minutes per truck. No mechanic required.
- 1
Locate the diagnostic port
In light-duty trucks it's under the dash on the driver side (OBD-II). In heavy-duty trucks it's usually near the parking brake or under the steering column (6-pin or 9-pin round connector). ELD Hub ships the correct cable based on your truck year and make.
- 2
Plug in the PT-30
Connect the cable's round end to the diagnostic port and the flat end to the PT-30 device. The device's LED will turn solid green within 30 seconds. Route the cable so it doesn't sit under your foot or pull on the port.
- 3
Turn the ignition on
Set the ignition to ACC or start the engine. This wakes the ECM so the PT-30 can start reading engine data (miles, RPM, speed) required for FMCSA-compliant HOS logging.
- 4
Install the ELD Hub app
On the driver's phone or tablet, download 'ELD Hub' from the App Store or Google Play. Enable Bluetooth and Location permissions when prompted — the FMCSA rule requires location capture with each duty status change.
- 5
Pair the PT-30 to the app
Log in to the ELD Hub app, tap 'Pair Device,' and select the PT-30 serial number from the list. Pairing takes 15–30 seconds. Once paired, the app shows 'Connected — engine data live.'
- 6
Verify HOS is recording
Start driving. After ~5 mph the app should automatically switch you to Driving status. Come to a stop for 5 minutes and it should offer to switch to On Duty. If both work, you're done — the PT-30 is FMCSA-compliant and roadside-inspection ready.
- 7
Download the cab card and manual
The FMCSA rule requires an ELD user manual and a malfunction instruction sheet in the cab at all times. Download both from your ELD Hub /eld-cab-card page and keep them in the glove box for DOT stops.
Frequently asked questions
The PT-30 LED is red or blinking — what's wrong?
Solid green = healthy and paired. Blinking green = healthy but not yet paired to a phone. Red = no engine data. Red usually means the diagnostic port isn't powered (turn the ignition on) or you're using the wrong cable for your truck's connector type (6-pin vs 9-pin vs OBD-II). Call 302-404-1177 with your truck's year, make, and model and we'll get the right cable shipped same-day.
How long does a full PT-30 install take?
Physically plugging in the device is under 2 minutes. Downloading the app, pairing, and verifying HOS recording takes another 5–8 minutes. Budget 10 minutes per truck for a first-time install.
Do I need to install anything on the truck's ECM?
No. The PT-30 is a read-only device — it queries the ECM through the diagnostic port using standard J1939 (heavy-duty) or OBD-II (light-duty) protocols. It doesn't program, modify, or write anything back to the truck's computer.
Can I use the PT-30 across multiple trucks?
Each PT-30 is registered to one vehicle at a time (the VIN is bound to the device in ELD Hub). You can move a PT-30 to a different truck by calling support and re-assigning it, but you can't use one PT-30 across two active trucks simultaneously — that violates the FMCSA rule.
The Bluetooth pairing fails — what do I do?
1) Force-close the ELD Hub app and reopen. 2) Turn Bluetooth off and back on. 3) Make sure Location permission is set to 'Always' for the ELD Hub app (iOS/Android both require this for ELDs). 4) Unplug the PT-30 for 10 seconds and plug it back in. If it still won't pair, call 302-404-1177.
Do I need to install the PT-30 differently for California, Texas, or other states?
No. The FMCSA ELD rule is federal — the physical install is identical in every state. State differences apply to IFTA fuel tax filing, not the ELD device itself.