Support for Kohler APM303 & APM403 as well as Deepsee DSE6020KII & DSE8610

[AKSHAYGENMON]

I did read that in the "The following generator controllers are supported:" section that Kohlers APM604 as well as Deepsee's [7320MKII] is supported. But I was also wondering if the solution file will also work with Kohlers APM303 and APM403 control as well as Deep Sees DSE6020KII & DSE8610 range

[jgyates]

I will answer this separately for the Kohler and Deep Sea controllers.

The the Deep See, the existing support will likely work although I am guessing that some minor changes would be needed. The support for Deep Sea controllers was created with input from a Deep Sea PDF that appears to support the 6xxx and 8xxx models, but some modification may be needed once it is tested with these controllers. I can make the changes with feedback from someone how actually is testing on one of these controllers.

For the Kohler models. It is likely I can add support for this however I do not have documentation for the APM303 and APM403. To add support, these steps would need to be followed. I can make the modfications to the JSON file but I would need modbus registers dumps and the PDF files with the modbus register definitions.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[AKSHAYGENMON]

Hi jgyates! Thanks for your prompt and detailed reply. Honestly I am such a newbie to all of this. Watched HandyTVDads tutorial on Generator monitoring which made it seem so easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0DvUAiXSmU&t=1s. Having said that I am not a newbie to ESP32s many-to-one communication, and interfacing arduino to RS485 digital inputs from sensors using MAX485 modules over long distance. So I feel quite confident to procure a Pi and a Hat as well as Molex connector to give it a go. Being able to sync my generator(s) to the user interface with gauges you designed is definitely spurring me on.

I am with you on installing the [modbusdump.py] program to my raspberry pi. At the moment I am still trying to figure out what Pi and Hat I need from Pintsizes help feature https://cloud.pintsize.me/whattobuy.html. I believe I have answered all the two dropdown questions that pertain to a Kohler APM303 and 403 series as they are not Generac units. Based on my selection "No" on https://cloud.pintsize.me/whattobuy.html I get the response below: We may not have a product that meets your need, please contact us through facebook or our contact form to discuss your situation.

I have attached the PDF files for a Kolher APM303 and 403 controller but as described above just stuck on what hardware to procure to sync up to the generator. any help to specific links for the items i would need to order would be greatly appreciated. Once procured I will install the [modbusdump.py] to push for modbus registers dumps. Quite confidant I should be able to figure that part out.

Also your point about the Deep See is well noted. I hope to attempt that next after getting the hardware ordered.

AMP303 User Manual.pdf

APM403 User Manual_EN.pdf

[jgyates]

Unfortunatly these PDFs are user manuals, not documents that describe the modbus registers that are unique to the AMP303 an AMP403 controllers. I would need the modbus register definitions to add support for these controllers. Typically this is something that a Kohler sales rep can give you or you can download if you have access to more technical specs than a user manual.

Regarding what to buy, you have several options. If you are using RS-422 or RS-485 then I would sugest looking at a few of the project wiki entries:

https://github.com/jgyates/genmon/wiki/Appendix-R---MEBAY-Controller-with-RS-485

https://github.com/jgyates/genmon/wiki/Appendix-P-Briggs-and-Stratton-Controller-Information

If your controller uses RS-232 then the pintze.me HAT will work nicely. A lot of people who use this project use it.

Regarding setting up, this wiki page:

https://github.com/jgyates/genmon/wiki/3.3--Setup-genmon-software

describes how to setup the software. It should be followed regardless of the serial interface. Once you install the project software as described in the link you can run both genmon and modbusdump.

[skipfire]

@AKSHAYGENMON I'm the guy behind PintSize, none of our products will work with RS485, but there are USB and HAT options on Amazon and at a lot of IoT/maker retailers for RS485 that will work fine. I'd recommend something in the Pi 3 family as those have full size USB port (the 3A+ has one and the 3B & 3B+ both have 4). If you have Ethernet at the generator definately go with the 3B or 3B+. If you are running a cable extension into a climate controlled environment the Pi 4 and Pi 5 are both good options, though potentially overkill - I don't recommend them at the generator because of heat management issues.

Depending on what connections the generators have for the data output your setup may be quite simple. If it has a DB9 port then a USB to serial cable will likely be all you would need or a RS485 HAT with a cable. If it has screw terminals then you can buy a DB9 screwdown adapter (the genmon make a cable section has a reference to one) and that can plug into the RS485 HAT or serial cable. Generac is a bit more of a special case because they are using Molex which is typically power cabling for a PC or used in cars so there aren't data accessories for it.

I'm happy to answer whatever questions I can, but I've never had access to a non-Generac generator so I don't know a whole lot there.

[AKSHAYGENMON]

Hi jgyates! Thanks again for your response. All points are well noted. I appreciate your feedback and I see feedback from @skipfire which also gives me some additional info to get going on the hardware side. In the meantime I was able to find a modbus pdf for the APM303 specifically. Would this attachment be what you are looking for? If not I am going to be meeting with a tech representative who is an authorized distrubutor of Kohler gensets in this region of subsaharan africa as that is where I am located. I am confident I should be able to get what youre looking for from him. I greatly appreciate your support on this.

417060119-APM303.pdf

[AKSHAYGENMON]

Thanks for your response @skipfire. Your feedback is well noted. Going to review the connector types on the APM303 APM403 and DEEP SEE units. I appreciate your support too. Will likely be picking your brains one last time before i finalize my cart and move forward with my hardware order.