Not sufficient Fuel

[Capn Andy]

I have just started my U-Boat career based in Kiel with a Vll boat. My designated patrols such as AN21 are too far away for a return journey with the amount of fuel that the boat carries. Is there an answer to this?

[donw]

well Mate...if you are using either version of GWX...there is a canal that will get you to open water in a much shorter distance...

Besides that....just keep speed as low as possible...use batteries during daylight hours... and as a last resort...plan for a refueling stop at a friendly port somewhere along the way

[vedrand]

Andy welcome to this forum!

Your boat certainly does carry enough fuel to reach any point in AN and get back. First of all consider the fuel efficency. Sailing at 6-7 should bring you faaaar away. Try that for the beginning. :up:

[HunterICX]

Grids AN?
thats Next door.

Are you going full speed all the time? if so you're sucking those fuel tanks empty in no time.

slow down to 1/3 of the speed (about 10 knots)

and welcome to subsim.com

HunterICX

[FIREWALL]

Welcome Capn Andy :D

[Hylarion]

If you set your speed to 7 knots, you'll have roughly 13000 km of autonomy with a VII sub. I've been able to do Wilhelmshaven - Freeport -Wilhelmshaven plus some convoy huntings without intermediate pitstop at this pace.

Welcome onboard Kaleun :rock::rock::rock:

[Brag]

Welcome aboard Capn Andy!

Like the Kaleuns above say, the VII has more than enough fuel to reach any AN grid and operate without problems. Transiting at 7 knots you will arrive at assigned grid with a large fuel reserve. :rock:

[Der Kolkrabe]

Welcome aboard and Der Atlantische Ozean Capn Andy :up:

Using Kanal out and in to Kiel, speed 1/3 ahead and daylights submerged - use that so no problem.

Last night I docked port to my second patrol.

Start Wilhelmshaven and drive by Kanal too Biscay Bay, there North and round British and Shetlands Islands and come back Norway Coast. I got message, that Der Kanal has mines. So I think it's better go long way back... ;)

[3Jane]

Just over 8 Knotts in a VIIB will give about 22-23,000 Klm I find.

[John O]

Welcom.

As for fuel usuage, use your navigator to plot a course to a point and then check the distance and maximum range at the current speed. Use differerent speed levels including manual settings of 7, 8, or 9 kts to achieve maximum range. Don't forget to compute the return course and allowable time on station.

[Umfuld]

Just over 8 Knotts in a VIIB will give about 22-23,000 Klm I find.
Yeah, that's what I get. From ports in France you can hit Canada, yo.

[Wreford-Brown]

I believe that 9 knots is the most fuel efficient, and there's a way to set your 'ahead standard' to any value you like.
Details here from Average Joe - one of the original pioneers who is unfortunately no longer with us:

"Here's a small speed-change I made to the VIIC class submarine .cfg file (NSS_Uboat7c.cfg).

Default values:
[EngineProperties]
AllStop=0.00
AheadSlow=0.40
AheadOneThird=0.57
AheadStandard=0.80 <---CHANGED to: AheadStandard=0.47
AheadFull=0.94
AheadFlank=1.00
BackSlow=-0.26
BackStandard=-0.40
BackFull=-0.53
BackEmergency=-0.66

This helps me in 2 ways:
1.) Submerged, and 'accidently' creating a new plot-course, especially when extremely close to a pack of DD's, or convoy merchants.
Since SH3 defaults to 'Ahead-Standard' when plotting a new course, sub-noise (props, electric motors, etc.) increases greatly! If this happens I usually get detected; mostly during critical points when trying to slip past escorts, and into a convoy of merchants.
2.) Setting for best fuel-economy cruise speed with the VIIC/42.
The VIIC/42's best 'econ-cruise' speed seems to be right at 9-knots. The change above sets 'Ahead-Standard' setting to 9-knots."

You can, of course, adjust the 0.47 value to change it to your preferred cruising speed. I used trial and error but I think this value is a % of max speed.

[Flamingboat]

I made the mistake of going too fast when I was new. Sounds like that is what you did. I quickly learned you can't cruise around at flank speed. :know:

[Gezoes]

:yep:

I use 8 kts (VIIB) and use my batteries when full, mostly during the daytime. At night I cruise on the surface.

Click under the speed dial) for being able to specify speed in knots. This way you will not only have plenty of fuel, you will have enough to overhaul.. say a convoy :know:

Especially then, flank speed all you can. You won't feel bad, because you will have saved for that now ;)

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard Capn Andy....advice on optomum speeds already posted http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif