First, try putting in some lighter-weight oil for winter use. I switched to an AMSOIL synthetic product that's specifically formulated for natural gas generator engines that see infrequent use. Go to http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ang.aspx for details. The bad thing is that it comes in 5 gallon minimum quantities, which would be rough for your 10hp engine that uses less than a quart. However, I bought the entire container since my 12kw Onan unit uses more oil. I could sell you one quart!
Google for "magnetic block heater". I found www.padheater.com as one place that has a variety of stick-on heaters. You might need a thermostat in or near the block to control the heater, as you don't really want the engine sitting at 160F year-round, and some of these heaters are capable of that much heat, or more. Just make sure the engine block is magnetic; not all are. The stick-on variety makes more sense to me. I'm tempted to get one myself. The light bulb idea seems to be reasonably inexpensive. Even a drugstore heating pad might help. If you can keep the cold wind off the engine, the hundred or so watts of heat should keep it warm enough to ease starting. I haven't had a problem with my Tecumseh 10hp snowblower engine, but that uses ordinary gasoline and has a priming button. Very easy to pull-start, but then it IS a snow-king engine that's designed for winter use. My Onan generator had cold start problems too. Turned out to be a combination of a bad pressure regulator and mixer adjustment. In fact, Onan doesn't sell or even offer an engine block heater for this unit; they do sell and recommend a battery warming pad, but I've never experienced a cranking problem with mine, and it's 4 years old now. The battery will need replacing in a year anyway. Bob M. ====== --- Chuck Kelsey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Guys, > > I have a 5KW natural gas generator at my house to > serve as backup power > to not only the house, but it keeps a repeater and > my ham shack up and > running. > > During cold weather, it doesn't like to start > (manual start, pull > cord). I fund that if I place a halogen work light > pointed at it for > about 10 minutes, it warms it up enough so it will > start OK. > > My question is -- does anyone know of a small engine > block heater out > there? I've done Google searches and don't really > find anything > worthwhile. No, I don't what to use a light bulb. I > want something > that's safe, economical to operate and UL approved. > > Chuck __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
