Live genset monitoring through the existing telematics platform
How a satellite monitoring company in Central Africa read DSE controller data from 230–330 kVA gensets into the telematics service it already uses — without the controller maker’s gateway.
A fleet-tracking company with a new kind of asset
The company monitors trucks and cars, tractors, road construction equipment and stationary objects. In 2022 it was asked to monitor diesel generator sets — six-cylinder units of 230–330 kVA (380 V / 50 Hz) used as backup power for industrial facilities.
Controller data, but only on the controller
The gensets are run by Deep Sea Electronics controllers (DSE 4510 and DSE 7320), which display voltage, frequency, current, power, coolant temperature, oil pressure, RPM and engine hours. But the sets are in remote areas where nobody can watch them constantly.
Controller makers offer their own remote monitoring — with an expensive gateway and a branded service that can’t show the provider’s other assets. The owner needed online monitoring in the telematics service the provider already runs.
Modbus to CAN, then to the cloud
A MasterCAN RS2CAN data converter connects to the controller’s RS-485 (Modbus RTU) port and reads up to 100 parameters. It passes them to a CANUp telematics gateway, which sends them to the telematics service.
The operator sees alternator parameters (voltage, power, current, frequency, power factor), engine parameters (RPM, coolant temperature, oil pressure) and total running hours, with export to .txt or .xls.
The converter and gateway mount quickly on each genset, and flexible configuration shows whatever alternator and engine data the user needs. The owner monitors generator health remotely and gets notifications about emergency shutdowns and faults — in the same service as all other assets. Adding a DFM CAN flow meter later would add fuel consumption, total and by mode.
Task → Solution → Result
Controller data stuck on site
Remote gensets with DSE controllers; the maker’s gateway would lock data into a separate service.
MasterCAN RS2CAN + CANUp
Up to 100 controller parameters read over Modbus and sent to the existing telematics service.
Remote genset health
Live alternator and engine data with fault alerts, alongside every other monitored asset.
Controller manufacturers offer their own remote data monitoring systems. But for this you need to buy an expensive gateway. In addition, data will be transmitted only to a “branded” telematic service, in which we will not be able to track other monitoring objects.
Development director · Telematics provider, Central Africa
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