I am having trouble getting my Venus GX to log and display generator Runtime (hours/minutes) in the VRM portal. I have connected my generator’s run-signal to the built-in Digital Input via the RJ12 port, but it only shows “Input Count” instead of actual hours.
My Setup:
Device: Venus GX.
Connection: Custom RJ12 cable using Pin 1 (Digital Input 1) and Pin 5 (GND).
Physical signal: I have verified that the signal works. When the generator runs, the state changes to “Running” (Active) on the GX and in VRM.
Configuration: Under Settings → I/O → Digital Inputs, Input 1 is set to “Generator”.
AC Input: I have disabled “Detect generator at AC input” because I want to use the dedicated signal wire for more accurate logging.
The Problem:
In the VRM Advanced tab, I do not see a “Generator” category or “Generator Runtime” widget.
The only data I get is “Digital input count,” which just counts status changes (e.g., 1, 2, 3) rather than calculating duration.
Under Settings → Generator start/stop → Conditions, I cannot find an option to link the logic to “Digital Input 1.”
What I’ve tried:
Verified the pinout (Pin 1 and Pin 5 on the RJ12).
Toggled the input type between “Generic” and “Generator”.
Confirmed that the GX recognizes the “Running” state.
Does anyone know how to force the Venus GX to treat this digital input as the primary source for the Generator Runtime counter so I can see the accumulated hours in VRM?
You have defined relay 1 at cerbo GX as a generator?
I use “detect generator at AC input” and it works as you aspected.
What kind of more precession do you expect with the digital input instead of detect generator at AC input?
And the really important thing is that the generator voltage is applied to AC IN regardless of what the digital input says.
Thanks for the input, but “Detect at AC input” doesn’t solve my problem for these reasons:
Engine vs. AC hours: I want to log actual engine runtime, including warm-up and cool-down periods when the AC input isn’t yet connected or qualified.
Maintenance & Service: I need accurate data for service intervals (oil changes, etc.). If the generator runs but the AC breaker trips or the voltage is out of range, “Detect at AC input” logs 0 minutes, while the engine is actually running.
Advanced Reporting: I specifically need the Generator Runtime widget in the VRM Advanced tab for historical reports.
Currently, my Digital Input 1 is set to “Generator” and shows “Running” correctly on the dashboard, but VRM still treats it as a “Generic Input” and won’t show the Runtime/Hours widget in the Advanced module.
How do I get the GX to link this digital signal to the formal Generator Runtime counter?
does your generator not have its own operating hours counter?
If not, i install on in the electrical distribution system. It costs €20.
Regarding your question, the Cerbo GX/VRM counts the warm-up and cool-down times too, so I don’t see any problem or need for a different solution. MP detects voltage before it close the transfer relay. After a round 10 minutes you get an alarm if AC In (generator failure, breaker is of) is not present.
The maintenance records are always kept on paper as well in case the data from the Cerbo/VRM is ever lost.
Thanx for sharing your experience Dirk, perhaps this is not supported as of now. sure my genset has its own internal counter as its fully monitored by an dse2130 monitoring device . i currently run an inmesol AL1200 diesel generator with DSE2130.
It specifically piqued my curiosity when I read that it was possible to use the Digital I/O to track and generate reports on exactly how many hours a genset has run within a specific timeframe. This is exactly the functionality I am looking for, as I want to monitor my generator’s service intervals and usage via VRM reports.
However, since I cannot get the runtime to display, I am starting to wonder if I have been misinformed and if this specific reporting feature is currently not available for the Venus GX via digital inputs?
