Wire logic and powerplants

[Sir Prometeus]

My setup basically depends on coal boilers but I also have solid fuel boilers as a backup (oil is unlimited, so it sounds good to me) And I want to configure my system this way

If coal boilers aren't running, start using solid fuel

How can I do that? Do I need a buffer before each boiler and connect wires to the boxes somehow? I'd prefer if I could check the status of the boiler itself.

Also, some kind of notification that tells me the backup system is working would be nice

[Teh Freek]

What you can do is feed both coal and solid fuel to all the boilers, and then have the solid fuel inserters only enabled if there is no coal on their belt. That way you don't have two separate sets of boilers, you have a single set that can run off either fuel source.

[Sir Prometeus]

Originally posted by Teh Freek:

What you can do is feed both coal and solid fuel to all the boilers, and then have the solid fuel inserters only enabled if there is no coal on their belt. That way you don't have two separate sets of boilers, you have a single set that can run off either fuel source.

I like that idea, however my chemical plant and the coal boilers are in separate locations. They aren't too far away from eachother but I don't want a sea of belts

Right now I have trouble extending the wires, so I need something that works as an electric post, but for logical wires instead

[Teh Freek]

Originally posted by Sir Prometeus:

Originally posted by Teh Freek:

What you can do is feed both coal and solid fuel to all the boilers, and then have the solid fuel inserters only enabled if there is no coal on their belt. That way you don't have two separate sets of boilers, you have a single set that can run off either fuel source.

I like that idea, however my chemical plant and the coal boilers are in separate locations. They aren't too far away from eachother but I don't want a sea of belts

Use trains to bring in the solid fuel. Trains get an accel boost from using solid (or rocket) fuel so they can be fairly far away and still work. Then weave red (for coal) and yellow (for solid fuel) belts in order to keep both close to the boilers.

Originally posted by Sir Prometeus:

Right now I have trouble extending the wires, so I need something that works as an electric post, but for logical wires instead

Electric poles already work for the circuit network.

[Sir Prometeus]

Originally posted by Teh Freek:

Originally posted by Sir Prometeus:

I like that idea, however my chemical plant and the coal boilers are in separate locations. They aren't too far away from eachother but I don't want a sea of belts

Use trains to bring in the solid fuel. Trains get an accel boost from using solid (or rocket) fuel so they can be fairly far away and still work. Then weave red (for coal) and yellow (for solid fuel) belts in order to keep both close to the boilers.

Originally posted by Sir Prometeus:

Right now I have trouble extending the wires, so I need something that works as an electric post, but for logical wires instead

Electric poles already work for the circuit network.

Thanks a lot for all that info

[Lady Naween]

You can also set up a few accumulators, wire those to the inserters and have them only activate when the charge level drops below a specific treshhold. Or use the power switch, and do it that way.

Google factorio power switch and you will find lots of blueprints on how to do it if you don't want to experiment.

[Sir Prometeus]

When I use accumulators I always have a basic setup with lots of solar pannels and that's it. However, now that I remember, I wish I could force the rest of the power plants to stop if solar power is enough to supply my base and the accumulators.

Last time I had a solar farm, the coal plants tried to charge the accumulators as well (and I wasn't using any wire, or logic circuit)

[The Chaotic Coder]

It sounds like you don't need to use circuits at all.

Here's a setup from my current game that will do the opposite of what you want (power plant is to the south):

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1159465939

Solid fuel will be used 100% unless there isn't enough, then coal will fill in any gaps on the belt.

So to get what you want just switch it around, have the SF split and go under, and side-load onto a coal belt. Coal will be used unless there isn't enough, then SF will fill in any gaps.

EDIT: I read the rest of the thread and see that you don't want a lot of belts. I'd suggest using pipes to bring the light oil over and then a make solid fuel closer (like what I did).

[Sir Prometeus]

A very clever solution indeed. Although I cannot use it since the coal keeps traveling further along the belt to feed the ore smelters

PS Wait, I could use it, but only if I want to use solid fuel for everything... I have to think about it

[The Chaotic Coder]

What I do is split off a separate belt of just coal to feed plastic and grenades (which can ONLY use coal, not SF). And just use some of that for your furnaces if you want.