Guide
Remote Monitoring for Hire, Temporary and Hybrid Generators
Updated 29 September 2026 · 6 min read
A generator monitoring system lets a hire desk or temporary power team see how each set is running without driving to site. This guide covers what is worth tracking, how the data gets from the generator controller to your screen, how to write alert rules people will act on, and what to consider when your fleet includes several makes of generator.
What a generator monitoring system should track
The aim is to answer three questions for every set: is it running as expected, is anything about to stop it, and is it where it should be. The readings below cover most hire and temporary power situations.
| Reading | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Running status and hours | Confirms the set is running when required and supports service planning |
| Start battery voltage | A weak start battery is a common reason for a failed start |
| Fuel level, where the controller exposes it | Allows refuelling to be planned rather than reactive |
| Controller alarms and shutdowns | Shows the cause of a stop, such as low oil pressure or high temperature |
| Electrical output and load | Shows whether the set is overloaded or running lightly loaded |
| Connectivity | Distinguishes a communications drop from a genuine fault |
| Location | Confirms the set is on the right site and flags unexpected movement |
Hybrid sets and battery systems
Hybrid temporary power combines a generator with a battery storage system, so the generator only runs when the battery needs charging or the load is high. Monitoring needs to cover both halves: the generator's running status and alarms, and the battery's state of charge, charge and discharge power, and inverter status.
Watching the two together shows whether the system is working as designed. A generator that runs far more than expected may point to a battery problem, a charging setting that needs changing or a load that has grown since the system was sized.
How the monitoring connects
Most generator controllers can share data over a serial connection, typically RS485 using the Modbus protocol. Some also offer CAN bus or Ethernet. A monitoring gateway connects to one of these ports, reads the registers the controller makes available, and sends the data over a cellular or wired connection to a monitoring platform.
What you can see depends on the controller. Registers vary by manufacturer and model, and some controllers do not expose fuel level or detailed alarms at all. Check what each controller publishes before promising a customer a particular reading.
- Controller: the generator's own control module, which remains in charge of starting, stopping and protecting the set.
- Gateway: reads data from the controller over RS485/Modbus, CAN bus or Ethernet, and adds GPS location.
- Connectivity: cellular (LTE, LTE-M or NB-IoT) on most temporary sites, or Ethernet where a site network exists.
- Platform: stores the data, shows it on a map and dashboard, and raises alerts.
Setting alert rules that get acted on
Too many alerts and people stop reading them; too few and problems are missed. Start with a short list tied to actions, and give each a severity so the most urgent issues stand out.
| Alert | Suggested level | Typical action |
|---|---|---|
| Controller shutdown alarm | Critical | Call site contact, dispatch if not recoverable |
| Set not reporting | Warning | Check connectivity before assuming a fault |
| Low fuel, where available | Warning | Schedule a delivery |
| Low start battery voltage | Warning | Plan a check on the next visit |
| Set moved outside its site | Critical | Contact customer and confirm location |
| Service hours reached | Information | Book the service |
Monitoring mixed-brand fleets
Few hire fleets are one make. Different controller brands use different register maps, alarm codes and naming, which makes a single view difficult if each brand's own software is used separately.
A practical approach is to standardise on the gateway and platform, then map each controller type's data into common fields such as running status, battery voltage and active alarms. Keep a record of which models expose which readings so the hire desk knows what to expect from each unit. Test a representative unit of each controller type before rolling out across the fleet.
How TrackSyte fits in
TrackSyte's Neo 2 gateway has RS485, Modbus, CAN bus and Ethernet interfaces, cellular connectivity across LTE, LTE-M and NB-IoT, and GPS as standard. It reads the data a controller makes available and sends it securely to the TrackSyte Portal. It does not replace the generator controller, which keeps full control of the set.
In the portal, generators sit alongside battery systems, fuel cells and other assets on one fleet map, with global and device-specific alert rules, resolve and snooze options, and notifications by email, webhook or Slack. Energy reports give indicative fuel, cost and CO2 figures for hybrid systems.
FAQs
Can a monitoring system read fuel level from any generator?
Only if the controller measures fuel and makes it available over its data port. Some controllers do, some do not, and a few need a separate sender fitted.
Does remote monitoring replace the generator controller?
No. The controller still starts, stops and protects the set. The monitoring gateway reads data from it and reports it remotely.
What is the difference between RS485 and Modbus?
RS485 is the physical wiring standard; Modbus is the protocol that defines how data is requested and returned over it. Many generator controllers use Modbus over RS485.
How do I monitor generators on sites with no network?
Use a gateway with cellular connectivity. LTE-M and NB-IoT can help where signal is weak, depending on local coverage.
Should hybrid battery systems be monitored separately?
They are best monitored together with the generator, so you can see how often it runs to charge the battery and whether the system is performing as sized.
Bring your generators into one view
See running status, alarms, battery data and location for mixed generator and hybrid fleets in the TrackSyte Portal. Book a demo to talk through your controllers.