Common Alarm Contact Use, Generac 20 kW 5887

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

richwaskowitz

Senior Member
Location
Shelby Twp. MI, near Detroit
I have a 20 kW Generac 5887 and the supplied documentation is not so good. There is a "common alarm" contact available with terminals labeled 209 and 210. I cannot find anywhere in the manuals where it indicates just when this contact changes states or what "common alarm" conditions are included. I don't want to assume any of the conditions which would constitute an alarm but it would sure be nice to know what is covered. I'm sure you folks who do these all the time have used this and can tell me what those conditions are.

I am designing a monitoring system using Arduino powered from a UPS to send emails and texts to the IT department people in our company to let them know if the unit needs something (with or without utility power) but more important, if the utility is out and it is supposed to be keeping the servers running and it is not.

For example:

1 Will the contacts close on and alarm or open on an alarm?
2 If the unit cranks but fails to start, is that an alarm condition?
3 If utility power is lost and the unit fails to start, or stops while the utility is off, is that an alarm condition?
 
Still can't find list of alarms

Still can't find list of alarms

Well, Googling helped me find a statement that indicated that the contact close upon an alarm condition. I just can't find a list of alarms. Not in the installation manual, the diagnostic repair manual or the operator's manual.
 
richwaskowitz said:
I have a 20 kW Generac 5887 and the supplied documentation is not so good. There is a "common alarm" contact available with terminals labeled 209 and 210. I cannot find anywhere in the manuals where it indicates just when this contact changes states or what "common alarm" conditions are included. I don't want to assume any of the conditions which would constitute an alarm but it would sure be nice to know what is covered. I'm sure you folks who do these all the time have used this and can tell me what those conditions are.

I am designing a monitoring system using Arduino powered from a UPS to send emails and texts to the IT department people in our company to let them know if the unit needs something (with or without utility power) but more important, if the utility is out and it is supposed to be keeping the servers running and it is not.

For example:

1 Will the contacts close on and alarm or open on an alarm?
2 If the unit cranks but fails to start, is that an alarm condition?
3 If utility power is lost and the unit fails to start, or stops while the utility is off, is that an alarm condition?
Click to expand...

1. They close on alarm in my experience with them.
2.Yes after so many crank cycles the unit will lock out on overcrank.
3. Yes, if it tries to start and won't that's overcrank or no fuel or dead battery or switch not in auto or low oil pressure or high engine temperature or overspeed.
what you are seeing in the common alarm is any shutdown trips it, all that really tells you is it is shutdown and locked out and you need to get there to see what's wrong.
 
Have you looked into the mobile link rather than spending time to reinvent the wheel? $100 a year and will text and email you specific issues to multiple people. Will also send maintenance alerts as well, and any change in status. I have one on my personal one and one on my grandfathers an hour away from me. You must have decent Verizon coverage at the unit though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top