[RE-wrenches] Gen preheat in cold climates

[dana at solarwork.com]

At our high elevation installs the generator gets installed indoors with the balance of the offgrid system we utilize the heat for the room  

Dana Orzel 208.721.7003
Encourage Free Thinking Self Responsible Free Range Children

On Apr 2, 2015, at 8:47 PM, Gary Higbee <gary at windstreamsolar.com> wrote:

Wrenches,

I'm curious what strategies you use to preheat a propane gen in cold climates. This is a large off-grid design in a sub-zero winter climate and ideal would be to turn on a block heater an hour or two in advance, then run the gen cycle. We plan to use either a Schneider XW or Outback Radian configuration (still very interested in which you'd use and why). We could set up a logic/relay system to first send the gen request to the heater for a while and then turn off and initiate a gen cycle but that would eliminate the ability for autostart on short notice. I've read of heat lamps on a thermostat, just wondering if you have seen other solutions.

Thanks!

Gary
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