keeping generator engine warm

[Jo-Ski]

Hi, folks--

A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage for our coach.
For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in colder climes, do you have
any way to keep the generator motor warm so that it starts in cold weather
without having to open the generator tray to push the glow-plug? E.g., is there
a block heater available for a Perkins diesel?

We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator to power a
small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're going through a
cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew has noticed that he has to
start up the engine and let it run for at least 45 seconds before he can get the
generator going. He's concerned about the amount of diesel smoke that belches
out because of the cold--especially if it's going toward our neighbor's house.
If the generator engine was preheated, he thinks this would not be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA

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