Question on limited fuel

[oelis]

Hello all, another quick question perhaps someone can help me with --- and I apologize if this has been covered before, but I've been searching and trolling around the forums and my eyes are beginning to hurt while finding no result. So, I have the limited fuel option on and am on the second "mission" of the first campaign/leg or whatever, and you have to sail all the way over to the west side of Great Britain to the supply routes over there -- and by the time I get over there I'm down to 50-60% of my fuel (even when I go through the strait). Are you simply saving your fuel by running the batteries as much as possible while you're on your way over there, or is there some way to refuel or refit once I'm on the far side of the island? I tried stopping in at a neutral port (cork) to see if I could refuel there but I was thrashed by a pair of destroyers a few thousand yards from the harbor... and I haven't been back yet since to try again, so I thought I'd ask you guys about it. Thanks much for your help, I'm guessing I know the answer, but I'm hoping against it ... I was worried last week that I wasn't going to be able to get into the game after being a III and IV addict, but after a little TDC practice and the installation of several sweet mods, I'm beginning to feel it. Alright, thanks again,

- oelis

[ERPP8]

Make sure you're running ahead standard, NOT AHEAD FULL OR FLANK.
I get there with 70-80% left.

[Kptlt_Lynch]

I generally submerge during the day (and for the passage of Dover/Calais) and run on the surface at night. It saves a fair bit of fuel.

[looney]

Diving increases fuel consumption! When on the surface 1 engine runs on flank to recharge. The distance travelled below the surface is less than what you could run on the surface. As in real life you should only dive when necessary and once/day to make a trim dive.
Later in war it is to dangerous to run on the surface. So your trips will become shorter (distance travelled) but due to the decrease in speed the same length (time). oh Crap the game ends in 1943 so scratch the last comment.

Best economy for a type 7 was about 8 knots (SH3 and SH4+OM). So ahead standard is abit to fast but I don't think the captain would order 8 knots, I think he would use the telegraph.

P.s. I do not own SH5, so I don't know how hard the game is. In my SH4+OM games the bay of Biscany is starting around 1942 deadly, from air attacks. You should see this by better flak guns and conningtowers.

[kylania]

I usually try to make my fuel stretch till I'm out of ammo, then FLANK, erm, EXTREME, it all the way home. :)

Most fuel I ever used was when I arrived in the pens with 11% fuel left. :)

[wamphyri]

I don't think anyone has modded it differently but all the subs are set with 10knots on the surface giving the best fuel efficiency. Historically this should be a little lower but you should have an idea now of why your running out of fuel so quickly. Slow your boat down and crank the TC up :)

[mcarlsonus]

I use Run #2 ("Slow?") for transit. But OP has a valid point.

For those who remember, SH4 had missions that were so unrealistic one simply couldn't do them as they'd run out of fuel before EVER getting there! SO, had to shut off the, "realistic fuel usage" option - and suffer the lowering of the realism percentage as a result. Well, now I'm in '41 and some of the areas I'm to patrol are off the west coast of mid-Africa - and I'm based in France. Am I going to run into this problem ... again?

[oelis]

Thanks again all ... I will run economy to get over there --- I figured as much, as I mentioned, but was kind've hoping there was some way to refuel while over there. OK!

- oelis

[mcarlsonus]

Refuel options appear limited to existing bases OR having the radio kid call for resupply. HOWEVER, I don't know if anyone's ever HAD the, "resupply request" granted !

Well, anyone had it granted? Anyone? Bueller ??

[kylania]

Refuel options appear limited to existing bases OR having the radio kid call for resupply. HOWEVER, I don't know if anyone's ever HAD the, "resupply request" granted !

Well, anyone had it granted? Anyone? Bueller ??

It works in Operation Drumbeat and Black May. The milkcows weren't available till '42, so earlier than that it won't work.