Overview#
Gen-Tracker is a remote monitoring system for standby generators — designed for generator service companies that need visibility into their customers' equipment between maintenance visits. Its key strength: universal compatibility via ATS contact monitoring, meaning it works with any generator regardless of brand, model, controller type, or age.
Founded in 2001 by Generator Solutions Inc. (Oakdale, MN), Gen-Tracker is purpose-built for the generator service market rather than general building automation. It answers the fundamental question: "Is my customer's generator ready to run when the power goes out?"
Two product series#
GTU (Universal) — monitors via ATS relay contacts. No controller connection needed. Detects utility loss, transfer events, exercise cycles, faults, and fuel level. Works with any generator.
MBX (Modbus) — connects directly to the generator controller via RS-485 Modbus RTU. Provides full controller register data: voltages, current, frequency, runtime hours, fault codes. Requires a Modbus-capable controller (DSE, ComAp, etc.).
What it tells you#
| Event | Alert sent |
|---|---|
| Utility power loss | Yes — immediate |
| Generator fails to start | Yes — immediate |
| Exercise cycle missed | Yes — within scheduled window |
| Transfer switch failure | Yes — no building power detected |
| Low fuel level | Yes — threshold configurable |
| Generator fault/pre-alarm | Yes — immediate |
| Utility power restored | Yes — confirmation |
Our service experience#
We use Gen-Tracker across our residential and small commercial fleet to monitor exercise cycles between quarterly service visits. The value: if a generator fails its weekly exercise, we get an alert immediately rather than discovering it 3 months later at the next PM. For our commercial accounts with BMS requirements (hospitals, data centers), we use DSE WebNet or OmniMetrix instead — Gen-Tracker doesn't integrate with building automation systems. But for the bread-and-butter residential and small commercial fleet, Gen-Tracker provides exactly the visibility we need at a reasonable cost.