Here is my question. Please tell me if it can be done, or if I am just insane. I am a disc
jockey with a large light show, and a lot of power. I also run a fog machine and several
high amperage effects. I often run into trouble at places that do not provide adequate
power. It is not always practical for me to carry around a gas powered generator. I can't
run it indoors and I do not always have access for cables to be run in from outside. So
here is my idea. Take a generator that provides me with a 220 volt outlet and several
separate 20 amp 120 volt circuits. Remove the gas engine and replace it with an electric
motor. What's the point, you may ask?? Here it is. Every place I work in has at least one
good circuit that can run an electric motor. With that motor, I can produce (with the
generator) all the power I need for my show without overtaxing the one decent circuit
available to me. The generator can be small in size and lightweight because it would not
have a gas powered engine on it. It has no emissions, so it can be used indoors and it
would be quiet. It wouldn't help me if the power went out, but that is not my concern with
this project. I am assuming that I am not breaking any laws of physics by attempting this.
Please advise me as to whether or not this is possible, if it could be done at a reasonable
price, or if I could purchase only the generator part without the motor, then buy an
electric motor with the proper specs and put it together myself. Where should I look for
info on this? I know this is not a typical question, but I need something like this. Just last
night the power went out (blew the breaker) in a function hall where I was working even
though I ran extension cords to two different rooms, and one to an outdoor outlet.
Apparently, they were all run off one breaker!
My friend tells me this can not be done because you can not create more energy from a
power source than was actually there to begin with. I don't see it that way. I see that I
will be using one outlet to power one system, an electric motor. That motor, in turn, will
provide the mechanical energy to operate the other system, the generator, and give me
the power it is designed to give. I told him that you are not creating more power from
that one outlet, you are creating power from the rotation of the motor. I think it is a
different thing. I appreciate any help or insight anyone may have on this matter. You may
email me at entertainerdj@hotmail.com.
Please help!
