When a Teltonika tracker doesn't read the CAN bus natively — or you need more than reading, such as remote control over the vehicle — an external CAN adapter comes into play. Teltonika has four: LV-CAN200, ALL-CAN300, CAN-CONTROL and ECAN02. They're not interchangeable: each one solves a different problem. Here's the technical difference between the four and which one to order depending on your case.
Before choosing an adapter: do you really need it?
If your fleet is made up of modern cars or vans and your tracker is the FMC150, you already have native CAN built in — you don't need any external adapter. The need for an adapter arises when you use a tracker without its own CAN (like the FMC130) and want the same OEM data: real fuel consumption, mileage, AdBlue, doors, seatbelts. We go over that difference between native CAN and CAN via adapter in more detail in our article on CAN bus in fleets. This article goes one step further: it assumes you already need an adapter and helps you choose which of the four.
How a CAN adapter works
A CAN adapter connects directly to the vehicle's CAN bus wires (not to the OBD-II port, which on trucks and machinery isn't always accessible or standardized). It decodes the CAN frames according to a vehicle database preloaded in its firmware, and delivers the already-clean data to the tracker over an RS232 serial interface. The tracker simply forwards that data to your platform, without having to decode CAN itself.
LV-CAN200: reading for light vehicles
The LV-CAN200 is the entry-level adapter. It reads the CAN bus on modern cars and light vans — its database covers around 600 models, similar in scope to the FMC150's native CAN. It's read-only: it doesn't control anything on the vehicle, it only extracts OEM parameters (mileage, fuel, doors, RPM) and passes them to the tracker.
It's the right choice if your fleet is homogeneous — cars and vans of European brands from the last 10-12 years — and you don't need to cover trucks or machinery.
ALL-CAN300: extended coverage, including heavy vehicles and machinery
The ALL-CAN300 does the same as the LV-CAN200 — read-only, RS232 output — but with a much broader vehicle database: around 1,500 models, including trucks (Volvo FH, Scania, MAN TGM, DAF), buses and agricultural or construction machinery (John Deere, Case IH, Caterpillar, Volvo CE). It's the "all-terrain" adapter when your fleet mixes brands, ages or different vehicle types.
If you're hesitating between LV-CAN200 and ALL-CAN300 and your fleet isn't 100% homogeneous, order the ALL-CAN300: the price difference is offset by not having to manage two different adapter references in your warehouse.
CAN-CONTROL: reading and remote control
Here's the real difference compared to the previous two. The CAN-CONTROL not only reads the CAN bus — it adds relay outputs to act on the vehicle from the platform: remote door lock/unlock, engine cut-off (immobilization), or activation of other circuits depending on the wiring. It's the adapter used by car-sharing, rent-a-car and keyless vehicle rental companies, where the operator needs to be able to immobilize a vehicle remotely if it isn't returned or if unauthorized use is detected.
If your only need is to see vehicle data, the CAN-CONTROL is more than you need and more expensive than the LV-CAN200/ALL-CAN300. It only makes sense when the use case includes remote control, not just reading.
ECAN02: extended CAN data for heavy machinery
The ECAN02 is geared toward agricultural and construction machinery where the standard FMS/J1939 parameters fall short. It adds extended parameters specific to equipment such as excavators, tractors or harvesters: engine hours with greater granularity, fuel level with more precision, and other manufacturer-specific data that isn't part of the generic FMS set. It's the option to consider when the ALL-CAN300 gives you the basic data but you need more depth for specific machinery.
Comparison table
| Adapter | Function | Target vehicles | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| LV-CAN200 | Read-only | Cars and light vans (~600 models) | Homogeneous fleet of modern light vehicles |
| ALL-CAN300 | Read-only | Light + heavy + machinery (~1,500 models) | Mixed fleet or with trucks/machinery |
| CAN-CONTROL | Reading + control (relay) | Vehicles with accessible lock/immobilizer | Car-sharing, rent-a-car, remote immobilization |
| ECAN02 | Extended reading | Agricultural and construction machinery | Equipment-specific parameters beyond standard FMS |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a CAN adapter if my tracker already has native CAN?
No. The FMC150, for example, decodes CAN internally. The external adapters (LV-CAN200, ALL-CAN300, CAN-CONTROL, ECAN02) are needed when the tracker you use doesn't read CAN by itself, like the FMC130.
Can the CAN-CONTROL immobilize a vehicle remotely?
Yes, that's its difference compared to the LV-CAN200 and ALL-CAN300: besides reading data, it includes relay outputs to lock doors or cut the engine from the platform. It's used mostly in car-sharing and rental fleets.
Which adapter do I need for a tractor or an excavator?
It depends on the depth of data you need. The ALL-CAN300 covers basic parameters of agricultural and construction machinery; if you need manufacturer-specific data beyond that, the ECAN02 is designed exactly for that case.
Which trackers are these adapters compatible with?
Typically with Teltonika models that have a free RS232 serial port, like the FMC130. Before ordering, confirm compatibility with your exact tracker model.
How much do CAN adapters cost?
The price including VAT is on each product's page. All ship from stock in Spain within 3-5 business days.
Already know which one you need? The ALL-CAN300 covers most mixed fleets; for car-sharing or remote immobilization, the CAN-CONTROL. Price including VAT on each product's page and shipping from stock in Spain.