A question about solar panels
 

In a game that just completed, I had this transport design:

Bridge
Life Support
Crew Quarters
(5) Ion Engine I
(10) Cargo Bay I
(1) Solar Collector I

The engines use 10 supplies each, the Solar Collector supplies 50 supplies per star.

In a system with a star, why did the supplies run out? Does the activity of loading and unloading consume supplies?

Thanks in advance...

Re: A question about solar panels
 

I think each engine uses 10 supplies to move one sector only. Thus at full speed youd be using 250 supplies per turn.

Re: A question about solar panels
 

That's 10 supplies per engine per move point - so it's really 50 supplies per move x 5 moves, so about 250 supplies per turn.

Re: A question about solar panels
 

If you move only one sector per turn, you will be alright.
The engines consume 10 kt per moved sector, they move 5 sectors each month making a supply demand of 5x5x10=250kt.
The solar panel gives you 50 kt per turn.
50-250=-200kt per turn.

Sorry, solar panels 1 aren't that effective.

EDIT:Darned that Kwok, beat me to it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ April 20, 2003, 20:01: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: A question about solar panels
 

DavidG:

You got that in just a second before I did...!

Edit:

Geez, and Ruatha just behind me!

[ April 20, 2003, 20:00: Message edited by: Captain Kwok ]

Re: A question about solar panels
 

Ha ha beat you all. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: A question about solar panels
 

Strange, when I posted DavidG's answer wasn't there.

So : Darned that DavidG, beat us to it.! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: A question about solar panels
 

Thanks for the answers, folks. I could have sworn that two panels kept a small ship supplied, but I guess that was when I was not moving at full speed.

Re: A question about solar panels
 

Another point is that bonus movement from any means (engine bonus, solar sail, propulsion experts, etc.) DOES use supplies.

Slick.

Re: A question about solar panels
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah! Never could figure out why a solar sail caused the engines to use fuel...