How to power my base?

[kalnon]

Hi, I'm just starting to build a small noob base in the system I started the game out on and I'm confused as to how to power it properly. I would really appreciate any help.

I understand that the biofuel reactor is used to provide power by burning carbon and the solar panels plus a battery to charge can work as a another source. What I'm confused about is the wiring and how to connect the wires. I can't seem to get my base to power up after building the reactor and the solar panels plus battery. I also notice if I go connecting wires to things like these basic lamps I have to the power source, nothing happens and there's those ugly wires criss crossing all over the place. I'm sure I'm not doing something right.

[Ǥɾᴧᴤʆᴧᵯᴧ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtbVcfuKl44

[kalnon]

Interesting video, I will probably use that method later on eventually but I still need to know how to set up power just using the basic ways first.

[der_wahre_Nils]

Select the cables from the build menue. If you can't select any cables be sure that you have researched them.

If you have the cables selected it will show green "connection points" (at solar, batteries etc.). Klick on on and drag the cable to another to connect two devices (for example solar-> battery).

You can only transfer power within one base, connecting two bases does not work.

Don't use the biofuel reactor unless a mission tells you so.

Prefab building parts (like the round/suqare big room) also have connection points and will transfer power within the room. Example: you can place the round prefab room, put some solar panels on the top and as battery inside. The battery will be charged.

[y_Sensei]

If you have restored a base from a previous version of the game, where there was no need to take care of power for your base, make sure that
- the components of your restored base are properly connected to each other, so the flow of electricity throughput the base isn't prohibited (in many cases, removing and re-placing components will resolve this kind of problem);
- you build enough power-generating devices to satisfy the power consumption of your restored base, which could be higher than what you might expect.
As long as these two conditions aren't met, you'll most likely not be able to properly power your restored base.

[kalnon]

Originally posted by niehle:

Select the cables from the build menue. If you can't select any cables be sure that you have researched them.

If you have the cables selected it will show green "connection points" (at solar, batteries etc.). Klick on on and drag the cable to another to connect two devices (for example solar-> battery).

You can only transfer power within one base, connecting two bases does not work.

Don't use the biofuel reactor unless a mission tells you so.

Prefab building parts (like the round/suqare big room) also have connection points and will transfer power within the room. Example: you can place the round prefab room, put some solar panels on the top and as battery inside. The battery will be charged.

Ok so your saying I just need one connection between the solar panel and battery and the battery should charge? Also does the battery automatically power my base then after I connect it to the solar panels? And when setting up more than one solar panel to the battery, do I just string them all together or do they each need their own battery?

One thing I am confused about is all those ugly wires I then have going everywhere throughout my base. When I look at videos online of people's bases, I don't see wire's strung everywhere in theirs?

[kalnon]

Originally posted by y_Sensei:

If you have restored a base from a previous version of the game, where there was no need to take care of power for your base, make sure that
- the components of your restored base are properly connected to each other, so the flow of electricity throughput the base isn't prohibited (in many cases, removing and re-placing components will resolve this kind of problem);
- you build enough power-generating devices to satisfy the power consumption of your restored base, which could be higher than what you might expect.
As long as these two conditions aren't met, you'll most likely not be able to properly power your restored base.

This is the first time I tried building a base. I've been running around homeless until now.

[Wizard of Woz]

Originally posted by kalnon:

Originally posted by niehle:

Select the cables from the build menue. If you can't select any cables be sure that you have researched them.

If you have the cables selected it will show green "connection points" (at solar, batteries etc.). Klick on on and drag the cable to another to connect two devices (for example solar-> battery).

You can only transfer power within one base, connecting two bases does not work.

Don't use the biofuel reactor unless a mission tells you so.

Prefab building parts (like the round/suqare big room) also have connection points and will transfer power within the room. Example: you can place the round prefab room, put some solar panels on the top and as battery inside. The battery will be charged.

Ok so your saying I just need one connection between the solar panel and battery and the battery should charge? Also does the battery automatically power my base then after I connect it to the solar panels? And when setting up more than one solar panel to the battery, do I just string them all together or do they each need their own battery?

One thing I am confused about is all those ugly wires I then have going everywhere throughout my base. When I look at videos online of people's bases, I don't see wire's strung everywhere in theirs?

Don't over think it. Build solar panels, connect them all together, build your batteries, connect them together. Put one wire between your panels and the batteries. Then put a wire to your base. That's it.
As far as seeing wires there is a device you can unlock that hides all the wires.

[Dirak2012]

First things first. If you are building with basic parts (roof/walls/floor) you can not "power the base" but you need to run wires to everything inside that needs power.

Now, if you use prefabricated or cuboid rooms, you can attach wires directly to the rooms and everything inside will be powered automatically.

So it's about practicality vs aesthetics.

[Krash Megiddo]

Originally posted by Dirak2012:

First things first. If you are building with basic parts (roof/walls/floor) you can not "power the base" but you need to run wires to everything inside that needs power.

Now, if you use prefabricated or cuboid rooms, you can attach wires directly to the rooms and everything inside will be powered automatically.

So it's about practicality vs aesthetics.

Great explanation^ Can't get any clearer than that. I used to build bases exclusively from prefabs and cuboids. Its convenient and boring. Now I use a combo of basic parts/prefab/cuboid. Cuboid at the first layer to house the solar farm if needed. Next level is a prefab structure. On top of that comes the flooring and whatever kind of base I want to build from basic parts. If I want to get fancy, I'll enclose the lower levels with wall parts to hide it, but I don't always do that.

[Cesar]

The best way to power your base is to use solar power. Each solar cell you create will fully charge one battery. Build a solar cell, then connect it to your base or your battery. In the build menu you'll see an option for electrical cables click on that and you'll see where to connect them. You may have to stand back a ways.

Before you do this, save your game! Jump into your starship and jump out. Nothing is more frustrating and fraught with disaster than building your base. If you reach a point where things are working the way you want and you still have more building to do, save your game again. Jump into that ship and jump back out.

Outside of the build menu right click on the battery after you set it up to your solar cell. The first number you see will be the power your base is using. The next number is available. You want available to be 2X used. Because when the Sun goes down at night, your base is still running and you need as much power to get it through the night as you did during the day.

How you do this depends on the type of Base you build. I use the round and square prefab buildings and I don't have to connect the batteries. I connect one solar panel to the building and then I connect new solar panels to the first solar panel. Then I put the batteries I need in innocuous places in my structure.

If you're building out of wood and stone this might be different. I'm not sure. You may need to connect each battery. You can get a doohickey that will hide the power lines when you're finished.

[kalnon]

Originally posted by Dirak2012:

First things first. If you are building with basic parts (roof/walls/floor) you can not "power the base" but you need to run wires to everything inside that needs power.

Now, if you use prefabricated or cuboid rooms, you can attach wires directly to the rooms and everything inside will be powered automatically.

So it's about practicality vs aesthetics.

Ahh I see now. So I'm just stuck with the wires for now because I'm building a basic wooden parts. All the bases I see on YouTube are so more advanced than mine, that is why. Thank you all for the help and advice, I appreciate it. I understand now.

[kalnon]

Ok, so I just connected my battery to a lamp with a wire and it still says it insufficient power? And yes I made sure my batter is fully charged. I still must be doing something wrong.

Edit: I also made sure there is a wire from my solar panel to my battery.

[kalnon]

Never mind my last post, I figured it out. There was some wierd glitch that when I first placed the wire, it split to two wires halfway between the lamp and the battery. I deleted and replaced the wire and it works now.

[Defektiv]

If you use the prefab circle or square buildings you can place modules on their snap points and you only have to hook power up to the outside of the building.

[Wizard of Woz]

Originally posted by kalnon:

Ok, so I just connected my battery to a lamp with a wire and it still says it insufficient power? And yes I made sure my batter is fully charged. I still must be doing something wrong.

Edit: I also made sure there is a wire from my solar panel to my battery.

You should build 2 solar panels for every battery, btw.