Hey everyone, I wanted to share my experience with monitoring my Generac backup generator using Home Assistant. I recently installed the generator, and while it has Wi-Fi capabilities, I wasn’t keen on paying for the monitoring/cloud service. Plus, the generator is located on a side of the house we rarely pass by, making it hard to check the status LED regularly.
After some research, I decided to use a wifi2ir Global Cache (ITach) to monitor the voltage to the gas solenoid, as well as the yellow and red LED status monitors. I had to run an external antenna since the entire setup is enclosed in aluminum, but it worked out!
The outcome is pretty cool—I get a Pushbullet notification whenever the generator starts or stops, and if any status LED other than green detects voltage. It’s been a great way to keep tabs on everything without the extra cost. Home Assistant made this project surprisingly straightforward, and I’d love to hear if anyone else has similar setups or tips!
Here’s a quick breakdown of my setup:
- wifi2ir Global Cache (ITach) for monitoring
- External antenna for signal strength
- Pushbullet for notifications
Would love to hear how others are monitoring their backup generators or any tips to improve my setup!