Substitute a gas motor with electric motor

AI Thread Summary
Substituting a gas motor with a 48-volt electric motor in a 12kW Generac home backup generator raises concerns about efficiency and practicality. The proposed setup suggests running the electric motor from the grid to power the generator, but this approach is flawed as it would not yield the expected energy savings. Experts point out that connecting a smaller motor to a larger generator results in reduced output and efficiency. The discussion highlights the misconception of achieving perpetual motion, which is not feasible. Ultimately, the thread was locked due to the reiteration of this common misunderstanding.
Charles Doyle
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I'm sure that this has been posted before but...
I want to substitute a gas motor in my 12kw Generac home backup generator with an electric motor 48-volt 4hp@4000 rpm series.. I would run this electric motor from the grid and power my home from this newly design generator.
 
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Why would you want to do that? Did you lose a bet?
 
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Correct me but the power consumption for a 48v motor that can propel a 12kw generator consume less power, I would thing 375 kwh/mo in turn costing me about 75.00 per/mo.
This would be a big savings
 
So, I'm going to guess this is an attempt at a perpetual motion machine, but leave the thread up until confirmed. Trouble is, if you connect a 3kW motor to a 12kW generator, it'll just output about 3kW, and at a lower efficiency (say, 3.5kW input) than if you just used the mains electricity directly.

But yes, we do get this question disappointingly often.

[Edit: suspicion confirmed. Sorry, but the question is answered and we don't discuss perpetual motion here, even for debunking. Thread locked.]
 
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