What DSE Genset controller are Installers recommending for Remote monitoring and Ekrano Interface

Q&A and troubleshooting
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1

Hi all,

We are currently building several generator units based around Perkins engines, and each system will be fitted with a DSE generator controller.

We are keen to harvest as much useful data as possible from both the engine and the power system, including engine parameters, electrical output, alarms, runtime data, fuel-related data, and remote monitoring where possible.

For those using DSE controllers in 2026, what models are you currently using or recommending?

We are particularly interested in finding the simplest but most flexible DSE controller option for this type of application — something that gives strong data access and integration capability without unnecessary complexity. Remote starting and state of charge starting will be a mandatory requirement. System is realtime connected via starlink.

Any real-world feedback, recommendations, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

2

Add digital read-out as well start/stop control of DSE generator controllers. Connection is over Ethernet, using the Modbus-TCP protocol. Supported DSE models: 4510 MKII, 4620, 6110 MKII, 7310 MKII, 7410 MKII, 7420 MKII, 8610 MKII, 8660 MKII.

From the article on it on victron professional

The cerbo manual covers alot of the requirements and set up as well.

Not sure how far you had dug into it yourself. But there are a few threads on it around.

3

Hi,

You dont say exactly what sort of generator control you are planning (Parralleling, Load Share and Sync, Automatic Mains Failure -AMF etc.)

Have you seen this documentation?

I’m curious to see what you choose and how well it works, as I would like to move my 2 DSE 8610 controllers (not MKII) to the Cerbo, as these dont have AMF and I would like the cerbo to do the Mains Fail detection and give start signal.

The DSE 8610 via ethernet has been great with our other Modbus monitoring and control stuff.

lxonline posted faster than I did, so some duplication.

Alex

PS Sorry I have not quite answered your question.

4

Thank you for your responses,

To answer the questions. the Generator is purely a back up generator to a PV / 48V 15Kva Multiplus / BYD Battery solution. We find the generator runs every other day at the moment which is fine, we just want to have all these metrics saved via VRM.

While I respect there is subjects in the manual, and I appreciate these being highlighted to me. I was looking for a bit more of a user success story, that might be along the lines off.. " We use this xxxxx part number as its been the most successful " As most of the forum posts are 2024, we have had many new evolutions of GX firmware since then, so current feedback is appreciated.

Thank you again for your time and knowledge.

5

Im not able to comment with a part number as your use case is not clear.

Below image shows the various groups of controllers. Are you doing paralleling, synchronizing? Automatic mains failure? Do you want to change how the genset is currently controlled or keep it as it is?

Your comment of “the Generator is purely a back up generator to a PV / 48V 15Kva Multiplus / BYD Battery solution” doest explain its exact role in control terms within your system. Do you start it manually and then manualy move the changeover switches to load the genset, or is this automatic?

Your answers to this are required in order to suggest a unit.

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6

Hello James, wish I had come across this thread earlier to help you. How have you got on?

We come from a background of legacy diesel products, but import a range of hybrid generators from Italy and have done a lot of work on improving/developing these products, mainly to do with DSE controllers and Victron integration.

They are very simple and follow the same basic architecture regardless of size
DSE Controller
Victron Cerbo + GX Touch
Victron Quattro Inverters
MG BMS and Batteries
Victron MPPT Solar

The original version from factory used a DSE3110 basic controller often found on small rental generators or lighting towers. Very primitive but reliable.
This simply started and stopped the engine using the traditional dry contact/2 wire start function on the DSE.

You could obviously get all the telemetry in terms of power, remote start/stop - basically all the good things about VRM but there was a huge layer of invisibility from the generator side, and made any form of remote troubleshoot etc near impossible.

Things like fuel level in VRM would have required an additional tank sensor, you cant change the main buttons from stop>auto>start (huge flaw was customers manually starting generator in for example after it ran out of fuel, and not switching it back to auto) nor can you even see basic engine telemetry.

When victron went to 3.50 or 3.60 venus OS (cant remember which) we changed one unit to the DSE4520MKII with DSE855 ethernet adapter. Immediately fixed all of the above issues and unlocked a heap of visibility. Only con was it was a pain to integrate, no biggy just a hassle and labour time. Same applies to a DSE6120MKIII, no improvement but requires far more panel space.
We then recyled an older DSE7310 we had lying around, slightly easier but we now go to DSE7410/20 (you dont actually need the AMF function)

The DSE74xx series are way easier to integrate, from scratch (an absolute nightmare going from an existing DSE3110 to 7420) however if panel space is a premium I would go back to the 4520 with a DSE855. I hope this helps or maybe youve found an even easier way in the meantime, let me know!

The next evolution from here is looking into Comap and DEIF controllers talking direct to Cerbo GX (no GX touch required) and having everything all in one externally facing controller but still getting all the nice data on VRM.