ACB Block not controlling props

[david.pearson]

I need my props to go in reverse when an ACB receives a command, but it won't work. I've since noticed I cannot get ACBs to control my props at all. One ACB set to unlimited range to engage props doesn't seem to work either.

Am I doing something silly wrong?

[An Ning]

Which "props" do you mean, water propeller or aircraft propeller? Both can be called "prop".

[david.pearson]

Sorry meant water. "Screws" as they are called on many ships. Not air, rugby position, ceiling supports or any other definition of the word ;o)

[david.pearson]

Basically I need my water propellors to go in reverse when the ACB receives a certain command.

[capnguts]

Be sure you have not disabled reverse in the 'V' vehicle info screen.

[david.pearson]

Definitely not. ACB blocks won't control props at all. Neither forward nor reverse.

[capnguts]

Place an ACB that sets propulsion fraction to 100% and press test. If the propellers don't work then you either lack engine power or have some other ACB or form of control interfering.
Edit: Be sure engines have fuel.

[david.pearson]

Yeah got all that. No other ACB interfering (only this one is set to control propulsion). Fuel isn't the issue, when I throttle up they spin. Baffled...

[capnguts]

If the propellers spin, then they are working. Ensure that thier drive fraction is set to 100% on the propeller's 'Q' screen.

[Mortazel]

Try using desired speed set to -1 on the ACB?

[An Ning]

ACBs do not turn on or off thrusters if the engine is not on and supplying power

The test is NOT to "place an ACB that sets propulsion fraction to 100% and press test", it's to start your boat moving under power, set the ACB to turn the props to 0, then press test.

Hang on

Okay back. Here. This build uses ACBs to control ion thrusters to make it hover:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=691967066

Note that when throttle is reduced to 0, the ACBs do not turn the thrusters on and it does not hover, but when throttle is increased, the thrusters are controlled by ACB blocks.
(might be a way around this by setting the minimum engine power, I never thought of it before and I'll check that in a moment)

edit: Yeah I don't see a way to set a minimum engine power or RPM for fuel engines, only a maximum.

But that wouldn't have been useful to you much anyways as you don't have a hovercraft.

Still, point stands, if you want thrusters controlled by ACBs, power must be actively supplied to them by the engine. It can't just be potentially available (engine has 9000 power), the engine must be on and consuming fuel to supply the power.

[capnguts]

Originally posted by An Ning:

The test is NOT to "place an ACB that sets propulsion fraction to 100% and press test"

You're right, I should have said 'set speed to 1'.

[An Ning]

Set speed to 0 is the better test, as it's obvious when your props shut off while you're at full power -as opposed to setting your props to a factor of 1 when they're already running at 1.

[david.pearson]

I see. That's what I am doing wrong. Thank you.