DIY Generator Monitoring with GENMON
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video, Chris installs a Raspberry Pi running an app called GENMON to monitor and remotely control his Generac standby generator. He used a Raspberry Pi Zero W with Headers and a pHAT board from PintSize.Me.
➤➤GENMON GIT page 👉🏻 github.com/jgy...
➤➤Check Raspberry Pi stock 👉🏻 rpilocator.com
➤➤Find Raspberry Pi on Amazon 👉🏻 handydad.tv/apiz
➤➤Find Raspberry Pi on eBay 👉🏻 handydad.tv/epiz
➤➤Generator HAT board 👉🏻 pintsize.me
➤➤Small enclosure 👉🏻 handydad.tv/senc
DISCLAIMER:
💳 - We purchased these products with our own money
See handydad.tv/di... for details.
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Great video. Congrats. I came here looking for a way to connect to a portable generator. Mine is a Westinghouse Wgen7500DF. It connects to my breaker panel via inlet box/30Amp cord and an interlock kit. So it is a manual change over when the power goes out. In my case, that was over 8 days after Hurricane Beryl blew in to Houston. I kept notes in Excel for run times, fuel usage (propane and gas), oil changes and spark plug changes. AND my Home Assistant ran but only local network. When Xfinity goes down, so does the internet. That took an extra 2 days for them to get us up and going again. I'll keep looking but I think I am out of luck.
I don’t know of any similar solution for a portable generator.
This looks awesome, I have an older B&S 12kw I'm love to implement this
Thanks
It's a circa 2013 so unless I can slap a new controller in it I would totally add a Pi
Excellent write up and added suggestions. Going to fab one up for my 22KW Generac. The biggest disappointment with Generac WIFI app id the exercise time is factory set to 5 minutes run time. My generator oil is really milky from condensation NOT getting burned off from the short run time. Genmon lets yo set the exercise run time or run it under load which is a huge plus in addition to real generator feedback.
Yes, it’s awesome.
Great video, only problem I have is that I don't have a generator in the first place. But I have to tell you that great story. Loved the process anyway.
Thanks 😊
This was a great video im getting a 22kw generac with wifi already. So, from what i have gotten from your video is I need 3 things only. 1) raspberry pi with wifi and the pins 2) the hat which comes with the wire harness that plugs into the pi and the generator 3) a micro sd card for the software. Am I correct
Sounds right
Appreciate your super video!!
My unit is close to the garage where also the ATS is. The climate is pretty hot in Houston and around the generator. I like to see if I can place the PI inside. What are your thoughts>
You can monitor the Pi temperature within Genmon.
Nice video, thanks for posting. One quick question though, could you have just used the second port on the controller and left the original wifi hooked up too?
I don’t know, but I don’t think so. I followed the directions.
Very interesting. I'm going to try to do this myself. Thanks!
Super easy to do
-Will the generator HAT board and all other accessories you suggested work with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W as well or will it required a different work-around?
-Also, the options on the site where to order the HAT board have changed. It's now the PHAT v2.6+ (closest to what you show in your video) and it doesn't specify if it comes with a molex cable. Does it or can you provide another option where I can purchase?
-Thirdly, it added a drop down box titled Generator Controller, which requires a selection. The options are Evolution 1, Evolution 1 Liquid Cooled, Evolution 2, Evolution 2 Liquid Cooled, Sync, Sync 2, Sync 3, PowerPact with Evolution, Nexus, Sync and Other. Which one should I select?
-Lastly, what size hole did you drill in the back of the box (to which to feed through the molex cable) to match that on the generator?
Thanks!
I don’t know. I have no relationship with that site to ask someone.
@@handydadtv I am lost. I downloaded genmon on my sd card. I tried to loin through my terminal using "ssh genmon.local", but nothing follows. It doesn't respond like yours did. What do I do next? Thanks.
@@handydadtv it seems to function, but I've run into another roadblock. I installed genmon on my sd card, but when I transfer the sd card to the raspberrypi and try to login onto my terminal using "ssh genmon.local", as you did, mine does not respond in the same manner. It doesn't do anything. Would you please advise? Thanks!
@@handydadtv it seems to function, but I've run into another roadblock. I installed genmon on my sd card, but when I transfer the sd card to the raspberrypi and try to login onto my terminal using "ssh genmon.local", as you did, mine does not respond in the same manner. It doesn't do anything. Would you please advise? Thanks!
How well is the Pi Zero W holding up? Thinking about doing this but does this Pi still have enough performance for genmon? This is all I would do with it.
It’s been working great all this time. No concern about processing power. It’s a lightweight app.
It would occasionally lose WiFi so I added a weekly reboot and that fixed it.
Thanks, glad to hear. Just got mine set up and working on an older 8kW Nexus unit.
@johnw4067 Good job! Enjoy that. See if you have any WiFi issues and I might be able to remember how to do the weekly reboot.
I am getting -65dbm so not too bad. No connection issues and can ssh/remote desktop into it. I did add the wifi and weekly reboot scripts in though. Pi Zero W runs this app great.@handydadtv
There is one part that I don't intuitively know how to do: I have the genmon on the Raspberry Pi and I have it connected to my generator and, to my understanding, it is working. how to i access it to see what information it is providing. you didn't mention that in your video. (i have never used a Raspberry Pi before so I suspect those who have didn't need this explained.)
Try going to genmon.local:8000. If that doesn’t work, you need to determine the IP address by looking in your router’s DHCP table.
mac does not recognize 'Apt -Get' command to download the GenMon software. is there another way to install Genmon from Apple Mac?
Those commands need to be run on the Pi OS, not your Mac. That’s where you’ll install it.
So I take it this does kill the ability to use Mobile Link at the same time right, since you unplugged the built in Wifi? I have an active ML subscription but may do this once it runs out later this year...
Correct. But you can always test it out and reconnect ML if you want to go back. Genmon is such a better solution that I doubt you would want to go back.
Great video. Looks like there is no specific app for IOS or Android. You can only access the gauges through a browser on a PC. Is that correct? How do you access it on your phone? Through the phone browser? Thanks.
It works with Chrome on a phone too.
@@handydadtv That is correct. To access the system from outside of your wifi system, there are multiple options. The best ones are cloud-based. I am researching that area and will report back.
@u12play007 Ah, I never connected it outside of my firewall. It shouldn’t be hard to setup port forwarding if you wanted to, but I’d put it on a different subnet for security reasons.
Did you cover this step? The first step is to setup your Raspberry Pi to enable the serial port.
I didn’t need to. Maybe it was enabled my default, or it was done by one of the scripts.
i got stuck with my Pi zero 2w. No Java runtime present, requesting install. I thought it came with the OS?
I don’t think Java is installed with the OS. But I didn’t install it so the Genmon installer must have done it for me.
@@handydadtv when I start from the beginning with command:
sudo apt get update
Password:
No Java runtime present, requesting install.
I got stuck immediately. So I am not even at Genmon
Maybe I should ommit those and immediately go to see if I can install Genmon somehow
Where did you get your water proof box? I like the fact it matches the generator.
handydad.tv/senc
Thanks for the video. I have it setup but can not get the email notifications working with gmail. When I run a test email, I get an error.
It took me a while to figure it out but it does work. If I remember correctly, I think you need an app password. support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?hl=en
Thanks, that was it! Email is now working.@@handydadtv
I’ve been looking at ways to get any data at all from my Generac.
Is this monitor only for a Generac?
Does it only work on newer Generacs with that same controller wiring harness?
My model is maybe 18 years old and has analog meters and switches only.
Read the GIT page. It says what it works with. It’s more about the controller than the brand itself.
Followed your video and all works great except email notifications. Did you have to do anything special to get it working. Iv added my email to the notification page, but not sure about the optional outgoing email settings, what they should be or can that option be turned off.
I use gmail and needed to generate an app password. It doesn’t use my login password.
Thanks email now working
Oh good. That’s what I rely on to let me know that the self test is successful every week.
How long is the cable that comes with the HAT?
As you can see at 1:50, it’s sufficiently long. At least 2 feet if not 3.
I tried this as well but I guess the molex doesn't provide enough power for a rpi3b+. Now to figure out a way of tapping into the battery
It should work. Maybe there’s something wrong with the HAT.
@@handydadtv not sure. Everything works fine if I provide power to the pi via usb.
Contact the company. Maybe they can help you troubleshoot. The product page says it should power the Pi for you.
@@handydadtv I figured it out, saw somewhere else that the gen1 evolution does not provide power through the molex. Pintsize did include the extra power cable that connects to the battery terminals. I just needed to put in a bit more elbow grease than just plugging in the molex. My nerd hands had to get a little dirty. Now on to getting a junction box for the outside. Wifi signal goes deep red with everything closed. What size box did you use?
Small enclosure - handydad.tv/senc
Did you take power from the controller in the generator? I may have missed it, did you document the pin out?
Just re-watched the video - gonna have to order the hat!
Yeah it’s awesome.
@@handydadtv is there a direct link to the hat..I looked on their site and a little confused. I see nothing that says it comes with cable..thanks
Wouldn’t that invalidate the warranty on the generator?
I can’t see why. I didn’t modify the generator. I plugged an accessory into the accessory port.
@@handydadtv I know. Just sometimes these companies can be jerks about the smallest of things. Lol. Love you videos. I learn a lot. Thanks
It's not a permanent install swap it back.
I've had my system up and running for a few years. Recently unable to see it on my PC Chrome Browser. I reloaded all the software on a new SD card and now my router can see the Raspberry Pi address. Can't connect to it using the usual 192.168.2.XX:8000. Any ideas? Maybe a security setting issue?
How do you know the IP address didn’t change? That can happen with DHCP.
I have a UniFi router and I let it assign the address initially, but then I flagged it as fixed so it never changed.
@@handydadtv I have a Bell modem and the IP has been set to reserved. I have rechecked this a few times now and it still shows connected to the address I'm inputting (Raspberry Pi, only one in the house). I can ping it from my computer. I know Firefox never worked but I'm using Windows 10 and Chrome as an explorer. I now have a monitor connected directly to the Pi and can surf using Goduck. I just connected a LAN cable to it also. I can also see it via this connection. Also, what's it mean when the address ends in 192.XXX.X.XX/XX?
@waynebinky You’ve exceeded my knowledge. Sorry.
@@handydadtv Damn. Strike one. I hate bothering Mr Yates with these issues as he's done and excellent job with all the programming.
@waynebinky You can try Reddit /r/linux since I doubt it’s a Genmon issue.
Very timely info! I hate the Mobile Link app! Thanks, Chris!
Glad it was helpful 👍🏻
Link for Molex connector and cable you used ?
pintsize.me/store/ols/products/generator-hats-and-phat/v/PGI-PHAT
Does the HAT come with the cable?
Missing it in the options.
@jkh62 Yes.
Thx for the quick reply, got my HAT & pi ordered.
Got my pi zero and having a battle logging into the pi. I see it's connected to my wifi and it's IP address. Using terminal it's asking for my password (set up in images flash) but I am getting accessed denied. Tried by keyboard and onscreen keyboard so it's not an input issue. My login should be what I plugged into the image flash set up, correct? Can not connect using the IP Addy in web browser either. My HAT arrived today also. Just gotta get in and run the set up scripts. Pi is new to me and using Win11 pro.
Fantastic video. Did you realize you leaked your email address though?
Yeah it’s not hard to guess anyway. 😆
Just that simple, eh?
It wasn’t hard. The installation script did all the hard work.