Strength of Connectors?

[Saibot]

Right now I have a modular ship system used for mining, grinding, and welding. Since connectors can lock to each other I thought of an idea. To use connectors to attach the ship to the module and be able to transfer items.

What I'm worried about is can they handle the stress? When I did a test build, I found out the module and the ship have their own individual center of gravity. Instead of a combined COG when using merge blocks.

Anyone know if they can handle stress like merge blocks can?

[Moonlightfox]

use a merge block along side the connector maybe? that way even if the connector can't handle it, you have a backup.

[Saibot]

Originally posted by Alopix:

use a merge block along side the connector maybe? that way even if the connector can't handle it, you have a backup.

I tried, only the merge blocks would connect. The connectors don't sense each other.

[RandomBlue]

Originally posted by Telidari:

I tried, only the merge blocks would connect. The connectors don't sense each other.

I'm using this method and it works fine. You likely don't have the connectors lined up correctly. I use a modular system for welding and grinding and my front end is connected with a merge block with connectors on both sides, connected to two drills or welders. The ship has a matchng configuration of connectors on either side of a merge block and works great.

Give it another shot and play with the spacing. The open circular end of the connector must be flush with the merging side of the merge block. When done correctly they'll match up like so:

cmc
cmc

If you need a screenshot let me know and I'll grab one for you tomorrow. Connectors by themseleves can't handle the stress. I've had them get disconnected when locked, just by turning very quickly.

[Saibot]

Originally posted by Zane:

Originally posted by Telidari:

I tried, only the merge blocks would connect. The connectors don't sense each other.

I'm using this method and it works fine. You likely don't have the connectors lined up correctly. I use a modular system for welding and grinding and my front end is connected with a merge block with connectors on both sides, connected to two drills or welders. The ship has a matchng configuration of connectors on either side of a merge block and works great.

Give it another shot and play with the spacing. The open circular end of the connector must be flush with the merging side of the merge block. When done correctly they'll match up like so:

cmc
cmc

If you need a screenshot let me know and I'll grab one for you tomorrow. Connectors by themseleves can't handle the stress. I've had them get disconnected when locked, just by turning very quickly.

Maybe that is what I was doing wrong. I was going:

mcm
mcm

If it's not too much trouble, I would be grateful for a screenshot.

[Namdoolb]

As it happens I've recently put something together utilising connectors and merge blocks very similar to what you want to do.
Take a look. Maybe there's something there you can use on your design.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=286654731
I have experienced the difficulties you mention; getting the connectors and the merge blocks to work at the same time can be tricky. The time honoured method of turning it off then back on again seems to help quite a bit though.

[RandomBlue]

The biggest issue I have is getting connectors to turn off, they just don't seem to want to. I've gone through every order of operations I can think of turning things on and off, unlocking, etc... and the magnetic pull of the connectors is too high to overcome when trying to disconnect most of the time.

It does work occasionally but at this point it seems to be random.

[Namdoolb]

When disconnecting, I've found the following sequence to be pretty reliable:

Go into control panel and turn off connectors. (on both sides of the connection)
exit control panel, and undock the connectors.
disconnect the merge block and you should be able to move away without being pulled back.

Every other method I've tried has failed to separate the connectors properly.