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Remote Monitoring for Generator Sets
Worldwide Power Products offers remote monitoring for onsite power generation equipment. Our Service team is able to provide installation of the equipment as well as ongoing monitoring support.
Remote generator monitoring guarantees peace of mind by giving you the ability to audit, control, and troubleshoot any generator set – through easy to use visual tools and control mechanisms – from the palm of your hand, from virtually anywhere in the world.
Avoid the Most Common Generator Failures
Remote generator monitoring helps you avoid the most common generator failures:
- Low batteries
- Battery charger failures
- Block heater failures
- Shut-down alarms due to low coolant levels, leaks, etc.
- Low fuel supply
- Operator error
- Automatic transfer switch failure
Worldwide Power Products advises all our clients to take advantage of this technology and we’re happy to help you get started.
Benefits of Remote Monitoring
Here’s how remote generator monitoring can improve any facilities management program:
Real-Time Updates
Get access anywhere and anytime to equipment with updates of less than 5 seconds.
Minimize Downtime
By keeping your gensets in top working order, you’ll be able to reduce failure incidents during power loss situations when generators are needed most.
Reduce Operational Expenses
The ability to proactively address generator problems helps you diagnose and avoid small generator problems before they turn into huge, costly issues. The system will also allow your generator service company to help troubleshoot problems remotely.. Saving thousands of dollars in unnecessary service call outs.
Universality
The system Worldwide Power Products installs, made by Deep Sea Electronics (DSE), is designed to work with any generator brand, including Cummins, Kohler, Generac, HIPOWER, Doosan, Isuzu, and John Deere, making service much simpler.
Secure User Authentication
If any unauthorized personnel tamper with your generator or change any settings, you’ll know about it.
Location Tracking
Whether built-in to a controller or added on, remote monitoring enables GPS tracking for your generators whenever they’re deployed in the field so you know where they are at all times.
Compliance Testing & Reporting
The software settings can easily be set to generate reports as often as you like, whether monthly, weekly, or daily. A generator run report is provided for all generator runs that supports compliance and documentation requirements such as NFPA 110.
Efficiency
Knowing exactly what’s going on with your generator lets you schedule routine maintenance more efficiently, and receive urgent service calls as soon as an issue arises (if not before).
Customization
With the proper equipment, remote monitoring systems can be tailored to monitor not just generators, but a variety of equipment throughout your facility, such as:
- Pumps and motors
- Pressures and temperatures
- Breakers
- Energy storage systems
- UPS’s
- Electrical distribution equipment
What Information Is Available with Remote Monitoring?
- Location
- Engine hours
- Voltage and frequency
- Amps, kW, and Power Factor
- Battery voltage
- Fuel level
- Oil Pressure
- Coolant Temperature
- Engine on/off
- Diagnostic codes
- Alarms
- ATS Status
- E-Stop
Communication Methods for Remote Monitoring
You have a number of options when it comes to how your system will communicate with you electronically. There are three that are most commonly used: cellular, ethernet, and wifi. As shown below, each has its own advantages and drawbacks that you should consider in configuring your system. LTE cellular (also called GPRS, or internet over GSM) is generally considered the all-around best solution, scoring well for coverage, reliability, longevity, and value.
Satellite communications are helpful in areas where there is no cell coverage or when generators are being used in the field, but they are difficult to install and expensive to operate. Phone lines are being phased out and should not be part of any long-term facilities management plans.
What Equipment Do You Need?
Our remote monitoring equipment works with most manufacturers’ generator sets. Monitoring equipment includes:
1Controller
The generator controller is the “monitor” in remote monitoring. So you do not need to install additional monitoring equipment or controllers when you purchase Generator Sets from Worldwide Power Products. Controllers can be outfitted to monitor a single generator, or multiple generators.
Learn more about the DSE7310 control module.
2Modem
The modem is what connects you to the genset remotely, pushing notifications to you via email, text, and/or app notifications. The modem Worldwide Power Products installs is the DSE890/891, which uses open-source DSEWebnet software and is a universal solution that can be added to any brand of generator. Each DSE890/891 gateway can pass on information from up to five connected DSE controllers at once.
3SIM Card
Although your controller may be able to support 2G, you should purchase a 3G- or 4G- capable SIM card to use with your modem. If you are concerned about overage charges, a prepaid data plan may work, but most systems will use only a small amount of data per month and can be covered with an inexpensive cellular plan.
4Add-ons: GPS, Expansion Module, and Antenna
GPS – Although some models (such as the DSE890) include GPS functionality, standalone GPS antennas need to be added to utilize the function.
Expansion Modules – If you wanting to monitor additional equipment at your location outside of the generator set, you are able to add on multiple expansion modules with digital and analog inputs (4-20mA, 0-5V, 0-10V) and outputs. The additional I/O flexibility with the expansion modules is what allows you to read anything from real time pressure and temperature readings on your equipment to something as simple as an activated high level water switch and everything in between.
See all the capabilities of the DSE2131 expansion module.
How It Works
Your monitoring system should be installed by a qualified technician, as improper wiring or grounding could be detrimental. Your tech should also help you edit the control parameters and customize to exactly what you are looking for, and notifications and alarms that are important to you. If you’ve purchased an expansion module, all other sensors and equipment will need to be wired to the controller, as well.
Once the controller is up and running and connected to the network, you’ll be able to access your genset via a computer or mobile device. With the DSE equipment Worldwide Power Products uses, generator operators can access their system via PC software and/or mobile app.
Inside the app, you’ll be able to control all your equipment across all your facilities (that are equipped with controllers), reset alarms, run tests, receive reports and notifications (such as the events log shown below), and more. You’ll still be able to control the generator on-site by using the display screen.
You can adjust your app settings to have the notifications go to your generator service company, such as Worldwide Power Products, if you wish, so that they can help you monitor your generators and alert you to any issues you may have missed
Start Monitoring
Contact us to learn about installing remote monitoring on your generators today.
Other Generator Services from Worldwide Power Products
Worldwide Power Products offers turnkey power solutions and service, including preventive maintenance and maintenance plans, repairs and emergency field support, fuel polishing, installation, and decommissioning.
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