Hello,
I have a Briggs & Stratton generator (Model 040381) and I am looking for a way to monitor it through Hubitat. I don't want to use vibration sensors - looking for more information than that.
I know about Genmon and that it has an option to connect to Briggs & Stratton generators via RS-485. My generator seems to be one generation too old to have that RS-485 port, unless I am mistaken.
What it does have is a wireless monitor unit that blinks LEDs to tell you about trouble codes, standby status, or generator running status. I did some research and found that the wireless link utilizes XBee. Specifically, the chip in the receiver is a XB24CZ7PIS-004. As far as I could tell, this is Zigbee, but when I put the generator in pairing mode my hubitat does not see it. I imagine there is something proprietary about it.
The best idea I could come up with so far is to have a camera monitoring the wireless monitor unit, counting LED blinks and translating that into status for the hubitat to act on (for example, if the fault LED lights up it would send me a push notification). This seems like a really dirty way to do it.
I had my electrician install a relay that closed when my generator runs. That activates a light on an annunciator. Hubitat is not involved, but it works.
This Zwave sensor / relay combo would do it. It's hard to get so better grab the refurb on the web link. it has a current sensing input, tie it to low voltage (LED light power would work) and Hubitat can see it. I use them to detect if mains voltage drops. I power the device with a 12vdc wall wort on a battery backup and connect a relay across the sensor input that is held open if mains power is good. Mains power drops, the relay closes and the Hubitat rule sees it and you are good to go. hope this helps, again hard to find part, better snag it. I have several, pairs easy, very reliable. j
