Battery
Contents
Function
Introduced in update Update 01.039.010, the battery is a single block that has a similar function to the reactors in that it will power blocks on a grid. It does not require any materials to be powered, however, it must first recharge and collect energy either from Solar panels, Large Reactors, and/or Small Reactors before it can be put to use. It may be placed on all grids (small ship, large ship, and stations).
| Interface Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Max Output | Maximum amount of power the battery can output to the grid |
| Max Required Input | Maximum amount of power the battery can receive when in recharge state |
| Max Stored Power | Maximum amount of power that can be stored on battery |
| Current Input | The amount of power that the battery is currently drawing from the grid |
| Current Output | The amount of power that the battery is currently providing to the grid |
| Stored power | The remaining amount of power that is stored within the battery |
| Fully Depleted in | Time remaining till the battery is depleted of power |
Usage
The battery is a convenient solution to saving/reserving power, and using no material resources that reactors for example would otherwise require. Or in the case of an incident, provide emergency power while repairs are made.
Placement
The battery block may be placed anywhere. It also does not require that it be next to the object(s) that it is powering. Batteries can be used on small ships, large ships, and stations.
- Note
- Batteries on a small ship take up 2x3x3 block space, opposed to 1 block on large ships/stations.
Recharging
Unlike reactors and solar panels, batteries must be recharged beforehand in order to be used as a power source. A ship may also recharge its battery through Connectors by drawing power from the other side while docked. This does not cost extra power.
- Indicators on the battery itself inform the player its status of stored power.
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Recharge Toggle
To charge a battery, the player must go into the battery control interface, then check "recharge". During this state, the battery will draw power from the surrounding grid to store in its reserves. It may not power anything during this state. Un-checking this option will cause the battery to provide power till it runs out. It will not recharge again till the player toggles "recharge" once again.
Semi-Auto Toggle
This mode will enable the battery to automaticaly recharge when at 0%, and then discharge when at 100%. In other words, it will automatically recharge and power the grid without player intervention.
Charging with Reactors
While reactors can recharge batteries, its efficiency is decreased by 80%; In effect, this cases reactors to drain far more power just to charge the battery. Reactors can recharge the battery quickly, however, this is considered very inefficient, and causes reactors to use far more fuel than is necessary.
Charging with Solar panels
Solar panels recharge batteries at 100% efficiency. While a single solar panel does not have the same power output as reactors, it is consider "free" energy since no materials are lost for the energy gained. It should be noted that while solar panels draw power and recharge the battery at no cost, it does so at a much lower rate. A single solar panel will recharge a battery from 0-100% in 9 hours on a large ship; small ship batteries will recharge in 18hrs. To recharge a battery using only solar power (at maximum output), it requires 36 panels, or 54 panels on a small ship.
While 30+ panels appears impractical for a shorter recharge, its more logical to create such things as recharge satellites that your ships can dock with to recharge their batteries.
Power Output
Once charged, the battery can begin to power the grid it is placed on. It has nearly the same output capabilities as a small reactor with an output of 4MW on large ships/stations, and 1.44MW on small ships. The battery life can vary depending on power usage. On a typical small ship can last anywhere from 2-4 hours while in constant use (moving, mining, etc). Large ships will use far more power, and a single battery will only sustain a default red ship for 2 hours while idling, or 15 minutes of constant movement.
