Questions about Batteries

[SIDEKICK]

whenever i build a small rover it sometimes bothers me that the battery(small grid ) is too big and too bulky. id like to use the small battery (small grid ) ....
but i was wondering,
is 6x small battery ( small grid ) = 1x battery ( small grid ) ?
how many small batteries is equal to 1 battery ?
and is there a disadvantage in using small batteries ?

thanks

[dragonsphotoworks]

Id have to look at the blocks to know capacity. But batteries are limited in output. Its possible 6small dont hold as much as larger one. But output more power. Place a small battery and look at its capacity. Then do same with larger one. Look at output and max storage. Then do the math :-) Im shutting game down for the night so i cant check now.

[frag2k4]

No, small small grid don't equal a larger version in any metric. While you can fit 12 small in the same space.

8 small is about the same weight as the larger one.
You need 20 small for the same capacity, and 20 for output

200kw vs 4mw output
50kwh vs 1mwh capacity

Small to large ratios are above both can at full charge and max output provide 15 minutes run time.

The only real use of those small batteries is creating power chairs to charge yourself in an emergency or for small satellites and poi beacons with solar panels

[SIDEKICK]

alright thanks guys. i have design issues with the large battery. im trying to create a start miner vehicle

[frag2k4]

Well the small batteries are not the way unless going via a hydrogen thrusters route as they only need the bare minimum of power to function, but you sacrifice cargo capacity for fuel capacity with that route but might be able to get away with only a few batteries.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Batteries are your only real choice if you're not sporting the nuclear option yet. You just need a station-based charging system to keep those puppies topped-off.

[Buzzard]

Small batteries are viable for stuffing little holes in a build with just a little more power capacity. For larger spaces, use the regular battery.
Small batteries are also good for getting a projector running long enough for a printer/construction ship to make things happen.

And oddly enough, batteries provide more wattage for a given space than reactors do. (until they run out of power, that is)

[Spaceman Spiff]

Originally posted by Buzzard:

And oddly enough, batteries provide more wattage for a given space than reactors do. (until they run out of power, that is)

This is absolutely true, so that's why I use batteries for most of my smaller miners...power density. But I often install a few small reactors for backup power and to allow recharging in the even the batteries are depleted. It's a way to get more from less, although be mindful that batteries are only 80% efficient when being charged by a reactor, so you'll get more bang-for-the-buck to use wind or solar sources to recharge the batteries.

[dragonsphotoworks]

Ah ya i looked at the batteries closer and Frag is correct and i was way off lol I only use the large ones so wasnt sure on small ones :-)

For my current designs i like using mostly batteries as they are more compact and fit anywhere. No conveyors needed. Then i add one or couple hydrogen engines and a tank or two just for emergency power. I use wind/solar hybrids on my stations, and some times i add solar panels to my mobile constructs. Lot of times the solar cant match output used.. but it does help slow the drain. And when stationary and idle they can trickle charge the batteries.

So in end i dont tend to run out of power.

[SIDEKICK]

Originally posted by frag2k4:

Well the small batteries are not the way unless going via a hydrogen thrusters route as they only need the bare minimum of power to function, but you sacrifice cargo capacity for fuel capacity with that route but might be able to get away with only a few batteries.

this is a rover miner (wheels) what surprises me is that it seems to be more power efficient than using ships for mining.

this is what i have built its on workshop and a larger battery would be bulky and would stand out in edges

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2502533317

[dragonsphotoworks]

Can use just batteries for mining rovers. Just put in buttons to turn off items you dont need to conserve power. ALL my small rovers run on batteries. Even some of my larger ones "5,000 blocks or larger rovers.. some up to 10k blocks lol" run on batteries. Just need limit what runs at same time. For one when i am stationary mining i turn off wheels and lights. Ore detectors as well. And adding even just 2 solar panels on a small miner make difference to.

Also the small small grid batteries... you can stuff them all over place. like the large grid 1x1x1 batteries. If need you can even shove them into wall or floors. "i dont know if airtight as i play on earth so atmo isnt a issue for me.". Where would place a armor block as frame you can use battery instead. "though if plan to do combat id becareful where place batteries lol"

[frag2k4]

Originally posted by Capt.SkuLL:

Originally posted by frag2k4:

Well the small batteries are not the way unless going via a hydrogen thrusters route as they only need the bare minimum of power to function, but you sacrifice cargo capacity for fuel capacity with that route but might be able to get away with only a few batteries.

this is a rover miner (wheels) what surprises me is that it seems to be more power efficient than using ships for mining.

this is what i have built its on workshop and a larger battery would be bulky and would stand out in edges

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2502533317

Generally rovers are more power efficient due to mining ships requiring power to stay in the air on top of theirother systems. That said ships are IMO better miners as they are stable when mining, able to maintain level mining tunnels and better at terrain traversal, not to mention faster.

@dragon. If worried about air tightness just cover the battery face in question with the vanilla cat walk, solves that problem.

[Katitoff]

Originally posted by Capt.SkuLL:

Originally posted by frag2k4:

Well the small batteries are not the way unless going via a hydrogen thrusters route as they only need the bare minimum of power to function, but you sacrifice cargo capacity for fuel capacity with that route but might be able to get away with only a few batteries.

this is a rover miner (wheels) what surprises me is that it seems to be more power efficient than using ships for mining.

this is what i have built its on workshop and a larger battery would be bulky and would stand out in edges

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2502533317

Its not really surprising, rovers need only a fraction of power to move around compared to engines, especially atmospheric thrusters.

You give up mobility and gain longevity.

That being said, large battery is very useful for mining rovers as it can serve as a counter weight to the drill if you put it at the back.

Thing with batteries is, you pretty much need to upscale your mindset and build larger things, then you'll fit all the components easily and have more stable platform overall if you do it right.