Stupid question: portable generator with electric motor instead of gas?

[Catharpin]

Hmm. Interesting, but not an electric motor generator that recharges itself. That's what I meant by not advancing as far as I'd thought.

This would violate the fundamental laws of physics. We (humans) were/had advanced enough to understand what you are proposing is absolutely impossible impossible quite some time ago.

[Newc]

The "Laws" of Physics is a collection of excuses mankind developed to explain why we can't do something. The math is reverse-engineered.

Internal combustion engines can already power a fuel pump inside itself, which is not needed in an electric motor. If a gas motor could refill its own tank, it would run infinitely.

At the very least, an electric-motor generator that ran off of at least one battery could be recharged externally. However, if I can achieve the results I'm looking for with a battery and inverter, then what stops the same battery from powering a battery charger?

[xenophobe]

The "Laws" of Physics is a collection of excuses mankind developed to explain why we can't do something. The math is reverse-engineered.

While it's true that it's a set of man made equations to explain what is observed, things like General Relativity continue to prove to be accurate.

At the very least, an electric-motor generator that ran off of at least one battery could be recharged externally. However, if I can achieve the results I'm looking for with a battery and inverter, then what stops the same battery from powering a battery charger?

Why on earth would you want to power a generator off a battery? You realize how inefficient that is?

You can charge a battery with another battery. It's just not efficient because transferring and storing energy doesn't come at 100% efficiency. Each stage... from the wiring to the battery, there is some loss. It's not avoidable.

[Newc]

True, just as there's loss in a gas engine. I know it's not like a siphon hose draining one tank of water into an empty tank of equal capacity, and each moving part requires a given amount of energy to move. If the battery is putting out more power than is required to move those parts, there is energy to spare for other tasks. If a generator requires 1000 amps and you can get a battery that puts out 2000 amps, you'd really have to be a retard to only use the 1000 amp battery. Yes, you can limit your power source to only what you think you need at the moment, or you can get multiple batteries that are dedicated to a given purpose.

However, that assumes you have either unlimited storage space or unlimited mobility.

I'm looking at having to carry about 100 pounds, including a 50 pound collapsible event tent, portable power, a folding table, merchandise containers, a cooler for the day's needs, and items that can fit inside a guitar-sized case, several hundred feet in one trip by myself, back and forth every day for about a week. Since I'm relatively unfamiliar with the area I'll be setting up in, I'm not sure if roadie carts or dollies are permitted (I'm sure they are as they'll be out of the way when setup is complete). It's near a body of water, so I may also need a few ankle weights heavy enough to sink a body quickly.
The area is closed to vehicular traffic by bollards. I most likely will not have help with the carrying.

I can probably get by without the 50 pound tent, but an 8 foot diameter umbrella is at least that long when folded and/or broken down for transport. If the pole cannot be broken down, then it's 12 feet or more.
As well, even though it's an outdoor space, it's a high-traffic tourist area, so a gas generator is a noise and environmental pollutant. Plus, storing the gas on-site will be an issue.

[Jayster]

What size body?