[RE-wrenches] Gen preheat in cold climates

[Kevin Pegg]

We have successfully plumbed in RV-style hot water heaters with tiny tanks in them, and set the thermostat to kick in at -20C (or whatever is required). Locating the hot water heater on the floor beside the generator it thermosiphons. One site has been working like this for 8 years unattended and buried in snow all winter long. 

An improvement on this would be tied to SOC or battery voltage so the heater only kicks in when there is a probability of requiring generator use. That would save some propane. 

Alternative is a similar idea but using Webasto diesel heaters for trucks in a similar manner. 

We've not had long-term success with any manner of using electric block heaters, uses too much power, or takes too long to warm up. 

Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]On
Behalf Of Gary Higbee
Sent: April 2, 2015 6:48 PM
To: RE-wrenches at lists.RE-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Gen preheat in cold climates


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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