The Benefits of Remote Generator Monitoring

Do you want to be able to check on your generator while away from the house? Learn about the benefits of remote generator monitoring.

It was a dark and stormy night. So stormy, in fact, your power went out. You kept calm and your generator kicked on.

But while you’re gone with no way to monitor things, your power goes out again.  You can save yourself a lot of money and energy if you know what's going on at home when you're not there.

What is Remote Generator Monitoring?

You already know your generator runs on the electrical power grid. When that grid goes out, either for rough sailing weather or maintenance, backup generators pick up the slack.

So where does remote generator monitoring fit in?

“Basically, this software lets you interface with your generator to remotely manage the generator’s settings,” said Tobias Sommer, owner of Generators For Sale in Omaha.

You can do this from several devices, depending on your preference:

• Phone
• Internet
• Dial-in via RS485
• Cellular

These days, of course, monitoring information is all password protected. So you can do things like check your generator’s fuel levels and battery conditions without concern.

There are several different remote generator monitoring systems on the market. While they operate on the same premise, they all have slightly different requirements.

Benefits of Remote Generator Monitoring

So what good does remote monitoring do for you? After all, if you're going to invest in some fancy software, it better be useful.

If nothing else, remote monitoring prevents that nasty surprise when you come home from work to find half the food in your refrigerator and freezer spoiled because the power shut off an hour after you left.

Of course, there are other benefits to remote generator monitoring too.

(If you're not actually prepared for when the power goes out? Don't scramble for mood lighting. Read this to get prepared .)

Technological Benefits

The last thing you want to do when there's biblical flood weather is pop outside to change your generator settings. That's where remote generator monitoring can help you.

Status Indicators

Your generator won't be shy about asking you to fix something. With remote monitoring, it can ask directly.

“Your monitor comes with indicator lights and audible cues for when your generator needs care,” Tobias said. “And the status indicators operate wirelessly.”

This way, you can quickly and easily respond to generator issues – often before the generator shuts down. Most monitors can cover generators up to 60kW, which will suit you just fine for a residential generator.

Fully Simulated Control Panel

You not only monitor your generator remotely – you monitor it instantly.

Basically, remote generator monitoring lets you do everything you could do when standing directly over your generator. These include:

• Run a complete engine test
• Run a complete transfer switch test
• Monitor the readiness status
• Check for system errors and correct them
• Change the exercise time
• Change the date and time
• Check your generator history to see if the scheduled exercise was on time

The best part? It's raining down cats and frogs, and you don't have to go out there.

Or you can sit at work confident your power is running safe and sound for when you get there.

Permanent Power

The beauty of a wireless remote generator monitor is it's battery powered. It's not like your phone, where you have to eyeball power levels and pray a friend has a working outlet.

Got batteries? You're good, and so is your generator.

“Your remote monitor isn't shy about letting you know when it needs something,” Tobias said. “When the power goes out, the batteries kick in. And if the unit battery needs to be replaced, it gives a friendly chirp.”

No tools. No fuss. Just a quick change and you're back in business.

Easily Mountable

Remote generator monitors tend towards low fuss. This includes installation.

You don't want to go over a river and through the woods just to find your monitor. You also don't want it to disappear into that “black hole” drawer in your desk.

Typically, these devices come with either a cradle for wall or desk installation or a magnetic backing so it hangs on the fridge. Usually, they’re the size of a credit card.

Benefits to You

Of course, the benefits of remote generator monitoring don't end with the technological, though those are pretty great.

It also offers you some lovely benefits on the fly. All of which make your life a few miles easier.

Better Efficiency

Picture this. The power flickers and goes out. You hunt down a working flashlight and hike out to wherever you've got the generator, in the dark and not terribly pleased.

This process takes several minutes, assuming no generator problems greet you when you get there.

Instead of hoping your generator works, you can monitor the state of affairs from the moment the storm starts. You use your monitor to fix problems as they crop up – or stop them altogether.

All in a few seconds.

Proactive Maintenance

It’s a royal pain to do generator maintenance after problems have cut into its performance.

“Remote monitoring doesn't just give you freedom of movement,” Tobias noted, “it helps you spot needed repairs before they cost you big bucks during a storm.”

With remote monitoring, your generator sends you updates and alerts in real time. So when that build-an-ark storm comes, you don’t have to fix a problem you could have handled a month earlier.

Insights on the Go

“It's not just the amount of information you remotely get – it's the quality of that information,” Tobias said.

The beauty of remote monitoring is you can consider information and re-configure your system to send updates that concern you the most, all with the push of a button.

Minimize Disruptions

Fixing your generator is a big annoyance. Not only does it cost you time and money, it's often related to problems easily fixed if you know about them before the generator went out.

Round-the-clock remote monitoring lets you deal with problems as they arise and before they cost you a few days of downed power.

Let There Be Light You Can Monitor

Don't be that guy or gal scrambling for candles and matches in the dark. And don't be that guy or gal that comes home to a dark house either.

Save the candles for date night. Invest in remote generator monitoring.

Get the Right Generator for You

“Your generator is your lifeline. It keeps your home up and running,” Tobias said. “So it's important it stays up and running.”

Let's say you need replacement parts, like control boards, governors or speed sensors. Look no further. Or maybe you need maintenance. No worries. You're covered.

Generators For Sale is your answer to all your generator projects, whatever they may be. Send over details in the contact form or call to schedule a free in-home assessment at (402) 298-5355.