What does Container Extension do?

[Maya]

I'm trying to learn the volume and logistics, and wonder if Container Extension gives more volume? because I don't get more space in Cargo Boxes.

How many Container Extension and Container Controller are needed in base / vehicle?

Should it be just one of each in the building, or should they be added to each Cargo Box?

[ravien_ff]

Place 1 container controller.
Then place 1 or more container extenders that either directly touch that container controller, or another container extender. Each extender will increase the volume of the controller they are attached to.

Container controllers cannot touch each other, and container extenders from other controllers cannot touch each other either.

[Penitent Intent]

Container Extensions only work with any Container Controller. Container extensions only work when attached adjacently to a container controller. The Way you will know it works is the Max Volume number at the bottom right of the container controllers inventory screen will go up. There are 3 types of container controllers, one for ammo, one for ore and wood and lastly one for regular inventory like a cargo box. Container extensions linked to one of any type of container controller cannot also be adjacent to another container controller or another container controllers container extension. you can link as many container extensions as you can fit with a container controller. Container extensions dont all need to be touching a container controller so if you have 5, only one needs to be touching the container controller the rest of the container extensions just need to be linked.

You can Have as many of the 3 type of container controllers and accompanying container extensions as you please. Vehicle weapons can only use ammo placed into a ammo container controller. One use for multiple container controllers for regular inventory is when you are using a constructor and need one box for input then one box for output.

[Maya]

Thank you guys , it was simple and gold worthy answer.
I also wonder if container extenders and container controller must touch regular cargo boxes?

[Penitent Intent]

no

[Maya]

Ok, so cargo boxes can be standalone, nice

[ravien_ff]

Yup. Cargo boxes are their own thing.

[VulcanTourist]

I'd be a wee bit more inclined to consider weight/volume limits were it not for the whole hey-my-broccoli-is-touching-my-mashed-potatoes! restriction on extensions and controllers. They should have found a means of associating them that allows more compact design.

[Maya]

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

I'd be a wee bit more inclined to consider weight/volume limits were it not for the whole hey-my-broccoli-is-touching-my-mashed-potatoes! restriction on extensions and controllers. They should have found a means of associating them that allows more compact design.

I was absolutely convinced that you have to connect container extenders and container controller to regular cargo box, so that cargo box would be extended also lol.

But now I'm thinking, why are container extenders needed? when you can instead add a regular cargo box instead.

Large container Volume is 16000 , Mass - 1,25 t
Container controller Volume is 8000 , Mass - 625 kg
Container extension Volume is 8000 , Mass - 616 kg
625 + 616 = 1241 kg 1,24 t is not so much less weight

And
Regular container does not draws CPU -0
Container controller - 960 CPU
Container extension -960 CPU

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by Mia:

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

I'd be a wee bit more inclined to consider weight/volume limits were it not for the whole hey-my-broccoli-is-touching-my-mashed-potatoes! restriction on extensions and controllers. They should have found a means of associating them that allows more compact design.

I was absolutely convinced that you have to connect container extenders and container controller to regular cargo box, so that cargo box would be extended also lol.

But now I'm thinking, why are container extenders needed? when you can instead add a regular cargo box instead.

Large container Volume is 16000 , Mass - 1,25 t
Container controller Volume is 8000 , Mass - 625 kg
Container extension Volume is 8000 , Mass - 616 kg
625 + 616 = 1241 kg 1,24 t is not so much less weight

If you don't mind having all your big/heavy stuff scattered across innumerable containers, then the old cargo boxes might still work with weight & volume limits. The point of the Extenders is creating one or several massive containers that can hold everything in one or several places instead of many separate places.

I play with the limits disabled, so my only consideration is the number of slots available. Because of that, and given that no small-vessel cargo boxes have 128 slots, in small vessels at least I always use Controllers (with no Extensions) in my small ships whenever possible. In my bases and CVs, where the larger cargo boxes do have 128 slots, I may use either depending upon my mood and the weather that day.

[Maya]

Originally posted by VulcanTourist:

Originally posted by Mia:

I was absolutely convinced that you have to connect container extenders and container controller to regular cargo box, so that cargo box would be extended also lol.

But now I'm thinking, why are container extenders needed? when you can instead add a regular cargo box instead.

Large container Volume is 16000 , Mass - 1,25 t
Container controller Volume is 8000 , Mass - 625 kg
Container extension Volume is 8000 , Mass - 616 kg
625 + 616 = 1241 kg 1,24 t is not so much less weight

If you don't mind having all your big/heavy stuff scattered across innumerable containers, then the old cargo boxes might still work with weight & volume limits. The point of the Extenders is creating one or several massive containers that can hold everything in one or several places instead of many separate places.

I play with the limits disabled, so my only consideration is the number of slots available. Because of that, and given that no small-vessel cargo boxes have 128 slots, in small vessels at least I always use Controllers (with no Extensions) in my small ships whenever possible. In my bases and CVs, where the larger cargo boxes do have 128 slots, I may use either depending upon my mood and the weather that day.

Thanks, it was helpful. I am learning about weight, volume and CPU. Ha, ha, I would never think that I should experience the challenge and interest in it. lol

[L37]

Originally posted by Mia:

I was absolutely convinced that you have to connect container extenders and container controller to regular cargo box, so that cargo box would be extended also lol.

But now I'm thinking, why are container extenders needed? when you can instead add a regular cargo box instead.

Large container Volume is 16000 , Mass - 1,25 t
Container controller Volume is 8000 , Mass - 625 kg
Container extension Volume is 8000 , Mass - 616 kg
625 + 616 = 1241 kg 1,24 t is not so much less weight

And
Regular container does not draws CPU -0
Container controller - 960 CPU
Container extension -960 CPU

Container extensions have quite a few shapes, so you can build whole sections of ship/base out of them without dedicating large areas for storage. They also can be destroyed without causing too much harm as long as there is enough space in whole container to hold its contents.

Then there is volume... some things are pretty large, if you want to store them in one container and not have "20 cargo boxes with CV thrusters" and such you will have to use controllers/extensions.

Another example is SV/HV ammo. Single block holds so little that ammo controller + extensions is the only reasonable way to go. And SV/HV storage in general - single cargo box is so small a lot of stuff simply cannot be stored there.

[Maya]

Originally posted by L37:

Originally posted by Mia:

I was absolutely convinced that you have to connect container extenders and container controller to regular cargo box, so that cargo box would be extended also lol.

But now I'm thinking, why are container extenders needed? when you can instead add a regular cargo box instead.

Large container Volume is 16000 , Mass - 1,25 t
Container controller Volume is 8000 , Mass - 625 kg
Container extension Volume is 8000 , Mass - 616 kg
625 + 616 = 1241 kg 1,24 t is not so much less weight

And
Regular container does not draws CPU -0
Container controller - 960 CPU
Container extension -960 CPU

Container extensions have quite a few shapes, so you can build whole sections of ship/base out of them without dedicating large areas for storage. They also can be destroyed without causing too much harm as long as there is enough space in whole container to hold its contents.

Then there is volume... some things are pretty large, if you want to store them in one container and not have "20 cargo boxes with CV thrusters" and such you will have to use controllers/extensions.

Another example is SV/HV ammo. Single block holds so little that ammo controller + extensions is the only reasonable way to go. And SV/HV storage in general - single cargo box is so small a lot of stuff simply cannot be stored there.

It was very interesting thank you, I am starting to get much better perception about volume and weight.

[DocRabbit]

I often wondered why we don't have a refrigerator version of a container controller, but maybe they just think well there's no way they'll ever need it.

But yeah, early game, I use cargo boxes/ammo boxes in my base, eventually after I acquire more stuff, I end up with at least 2 container controllers one for input, one for output. Individual 2x cargo boxes still for non base ammo, armor/boosts,guns, blocks ,misc, fuel/O2, etc..I use one for input to Decon, and its output goes to input container for constructors.

As base/ores grow, I add 2 more for furnaces, Raw Ores and Refined Ingots. Ammo eventual moves to one Container Controller, and blocks to another. A mega base can easily have 5 full 320k controllers and one 320k controller for ammo, with slightly smaller ones for the furnace raw ores/refined ingots, as the ingots will move into the input one eventually.

[VulcanTourist]

Originally posted by DocRabbit:

I often wondered why we don't have a refrigerator version of a container controller, but maybe they just think well there's no way they'll ever need it.

I created my first new (derivative) block for the game yesterday. I could create a derivative Controller block that has refrigeration behavior. It's do-able. It would be missing icons and whatnot but otherwise functional. Would I also need to create derivative Extensions as well? I don't think so.