# Generator auto start from some distance away **URL:** \ **Category:** Q&A and troubleshooting\ **Tags:** generator\_auto\_start, gx\_device, cerbo\_gx, professional\ **Created:** [24 August 2025 09:01 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238 "2025-08-24T09:01:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mister\_nui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@mister\_nui](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mister_nui)\ **Post date:** [24 August 2025 09:01 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/1 "2025-08-24T09:01:12Z")
I would like to auto-start a generator that is located approx 50 metres from the Cerbo. Is there a way to do this with VE CAN or similar? Rather than running control wires from the relay, that may be susceptible to voltage drop, over tis distance. ---
**Author:** ![MikeD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/miked/32/1522_2.png) [@MikeD](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/MikeD)\ **Post date:** [24 August 2025 20:14 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/2 "2025-08-24T20:14:19Z")
Generally there should be no issue, provided that a suitable wire size is used. If the Gen start requires a high current, then a slave relay that only takes a few 100mA can be used adjacent to the generator to facilitate this. I have one system where the cerbo is ~160m from the gen, with no issues. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_nui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@mister\_nui](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/mister_nui)\ **Post date:** [25 August 2025 08:28 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/3 "2025-08-25T08:28:40Z")
Yeah, it’s not so much that, but the bollocks of running the cable. Can’t go overhead and need to go underground. There is existing ethernet cables between the two, including spare, so thought there might be a way to do this over ethernet. ---
**Author:** ![iand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@iand](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/iand)\ **Post date:** [25 August 2025 11:14 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/4 "2025-08-25T11:14:03Z")
You can get Ethernet relays. Don’t know how you’d integrate controlling them with your system though… ---
**Author:** ![MikeD](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/miked/32/1522_2.png) [@MikeD](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/MikeD)\ **Post date:** [25 August 2025 18:37 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/5 "2025-08-25T18:37:10Z")
Ethernet has 2 spare pairs, so you can user one of those & a slave relay. Can do this over ethernet protocol, but more complex solution. ---
**Author:** ![OGPS](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/ogps/32/4120_2.png) [@OGPS](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/OGPS)\ **Post date:** [25 August 2025 19:06 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/6 "2025-08-25T19:06:15Z")
If you have extra strands in existing Ethernet cables already run to the generator then you can most likely using the wires within the existing cables. Ethernet standards support up to 100m distance between devices. You can always double up the conductors if you have extra to reduce the voltage drop. I’m with @MikeD . I don’t think 50m is all that far, especially if you can double up the conductors. ---
**Author:** ![Dean\_Commodore](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/victron/user_avatar/community.victronenergy.com/dean_commodore/32/1723_2.png) [@Dean\_Commodore](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Dean_Commodore)\ **Post date:** [26 August 2025 05:39 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/7 "2025-08-26T05:39:30Z")
If your generator has a supported controller (Deep Sea, ComApp etc), maybe you can use a modbus connection and the new style “connected genset integration” : [https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Cerbo\_GX/en/gx—generator-auto-start-stop.html](https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Cerbo_GX/en/gx---generator-auto-start-stop.html) ---
**Author:** ![Yachtbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Yachtbird](https://community.victronenergy.com/u/Yachtbird)\ **Post date:** [27 August 2025 10:44 UTC](https://community.victronenergy.com/t/generator-auto-start-from-some-distance-away/44238/8 "2025-08-27T10:44:26Z")
@mister_nui Depends upon the generator but this may help…… [Victron CerboGx Generator Interface - Sieltec](https://sieltec.com.au/generator-interface-ags-1)