Electric generator powerd by an electric motor?

Question

I've always wondered if this has ever been tried. If I only had the money to get the parts needed I think it would be a fun to try although I bet you folks will tell me right off the bat that it's a matter of watts output or something I'm overlooking. My idea is to jump start a generator with a gas powered motor or battery pack and use an electric motor to turn a generator motor. I would like to know if anyone has actually tried this... I know if it is possible it should be out there already but hey sometimes its the simple ideas that get overlooked... but in general I know this is wishful thinking.

the point is to create a self powering generator.. if at all to maybe create enough extra power to trickle charge a set of batteries like those used in photovoltaic systems. Also first answer.. if you lose energy right off the bat the system would not keep running. Think about what you said.

Answer 1

"a self powering generator"....

OK your last name is Kramer and you never set foot outside your appartment. Am I right?

Answer 2

Using the gas-powered driver to 'kick-start' the system means you're going to input a certain amount of energy, in the form of mechanical torque.

Normally, this would start the entire set turning. (Make sure you have enough of a kick to turn the entire inertia of the set, AND accelerate it up to the generator speed!)

Once you've reached generator speed, drop the generator into the circuit so that you have terminal volts ... but essentially zero current draw. It's not a completely 'lossless' system - the electrical generator efficiency is only about 98 percent at the best of times, and a better approximation would be on the order of 96.5 percent.

You then engage the field of the electric motor, so that there will be something there when you start using it to drive the electrical generator portion. Again, the machien is not 'lossless' ... it's probably a good bet to approximate it at 95 percent efficiency (or slightly less, if it's a DC machine).

This means you're chewing up about 9 percent of your generator output in accounting for the electrical losses of the system.

And recall that a generator is simply a means of transforming energy (from mechanical to electrical). This means you have to PUT IN that extra 9 percent from somewhere as well ... just to keep the loop cycling.

Motor-Generator sets are quite common; the large dragline shovels, for instance, use a synchronous motor to power several direct current generators, which in turn supply power to the direct current motors actually operating the various portions of the shovel. Older process lines used the same idea to power their process; a back-room full of motor-generator sets connnected to buses to transfer electrical power to the machines operating the various stands.

Even when testing two machines, there has to be an extra source of power to cover the system losses (both electrical in each machine, plus mechanical in the drivetrain). This is done all the time in facilities which manufacture electrical motors and generators ... and have to 'load test' them.

Basically, there's no 'free lunch'.

Answer 3

What you are referring to is called a Motor-Generator or Dynamotor

Please see the attached reference

Interesting Question

I am an Electrical Engineer with alot of Experience

Answer 4

I have to ask what is the point you would loose power in the generation so it would be better just to use the first set of power, and not bother to use it to make it into something that is already is

Answer 5

Come on! You're taking the piss! Not even remotely humorous!
If you can't say anything sensible- don't say anything at all!