Adding Modbus Device Fails (Generac PM-SC)

[DCIM_Support]

Im trying to add our generator panel to Struxureware for monitoring. I see the DDF file in struxureware and when adding the device I select the Generac PM-SC device. When the device is added it changes to failed after about 10-15 seconds and only shows a Communication link failure, no other metrics. 

I have used a Modbus TCP client to poll the device registers and successfully get the correct values back so I know my gateway is working properly. Is there any way I can see why the failure is happening or any advice when adding this device?

Thanks!

(CID:124527201)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Joey,

          can you verify the slave address it should be same on both side device and DCE.

BR,

Rana

(CID:124527327)

[DCIM_Support · Accepted solution]

Hi Joey Harris,

If, as Rana Ajmal said, all communication settings are correct, it is very possible that your DDF-file is not suitable for your device. It's best to share the exact information about the version of the DCE-server, the version of your DDF-file and the model/type/modification of your device.

As a very good option, I suggest trying a suitable DDF-file for your device, which can be found by searching for the keyword "generac" on page DEVICE SUPPORT, for example as in the screenshot:

Always glad to answer your questions.

(CID:124527418)

[DCIM_Support]

Using Struxureware 7.4.3 with the Generac PM-SC DDF that I requested from this site. It is version 5. My slave address is 1 which can be confirmed by using that address in my Modbus TCP client I'm running on my laptop. I am able to successfully poll a register that contains the first generators fuel level.

The generator panel is type G and is a Generac Power Manager System Controller wired up to two generators in our utility yard. 

(CID:124527738)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Joey Harris,

An interesting problem... Can you share three or four commands and their output to the registers of your generator so that you can see what registers and their values are? Also, can you share your DDF-file that you mentioned? Having this information I can compare and tell you whether your DDF-file matches your generator or not.

Always glad to answer your questions.

(CID:124527891)

[DCIM_Support]

Ive put screenshots below of my modbus utility returning values from the gateway. Its a bit hard to return anything useful when the generators are not running. Please note that these have an offset of -1 from the documentation I am referencing which I will link below

135 = coolant temp

78 = fuel level %

2583 = battery voltage

(CID:124527899)

[DCIM_Support]

New file link

(CID:124527912)

[DCIM_Support]

The generac DDF I recieved from this site

(CID:124527916)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Joey Harris,

Sorry for the delay in the answer: I'm still just studying your information. But I can already say that your DDF-file and your generator are incompatible, that's why it does not work. Why it happened, I do not know yet: at the beginning of next week I will write in more detail.

Always glad to answer your questions.

(CID:124528374)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Joey Harris,

As I wrote above - your DDF-file is not compatible with your generator.

For your generator, you need to use the Generac MPS Digital Control Panel (v.3) DDF-file, which you can request here on DCIM Support (see my screenshot above).

That you did not lose time, I send you this DDF-file: generac_generator_gpanel - 2 Gens_v2.7z

Always glad to answer your questions.

(CID:125208521)

[DCIM_Support]

Awesome! I had to manually edit the file to account for the offset of -1 on all the registers but now Struxureware is reading properly!

For readings like battery voltage, the value returned by the panel should be divided by 100 to get the proper decimal place. Is there any way this can be accomplished?

Ex. 2556 / 100 = 25.56 V

(CID:125208768)

[DCIM_Support]

Well, I corrected this error, here's the new file: generac_generator_gpanel - 2 Gens_v3.zip. Check, please, and report the result.

Always glad to answer your questions.

(CID:125208784)

[DCIM_Support]

The slave address is the same as Im using in my Modbus TCP client (1). I requested the latest DDF which seems to be the same version as whats currently installed in our DCE server.

(CID:124527702)

[DCIM_Support]

spezialist helped me out and got me the correct DDF for my device. I did find some errors with the offical DDF file such as a typo for phase A currents, values not multiplied properly (battery voltage, current, coolant readings), and all modbus registers have an offset of -1 (at least in our generator panel). Also there was an active alarm for both gen switches being set to Auto so I removed these alarm definitions. Here is what works for me in case it can help anyone else!

https://anonfile.com/e1w821ccb4/generac_generator_gpanel_-_2_Gens_v3.xml

(CID:125208818)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Joey Harris,

Congratulations, wonderful work 😀.

Therefore, in order for everything to be correct, I suggest you create a Request modification for your generator so that the corrected and working DDF-file is officially available to all customers:

I hope that you will do this and always glad to answer your questions 😀.

(CID:125208856)

[DCIM_Support]

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