Need advice, stuck in south china sea.
 

Ello' subsimmers. I got myself into a bit of a pickle. I'm stuck in the south china sea (after getting some tonnage :lol:) near the philippians in feb. 43 and have only have 30%ish of my fuel left. 2 aft torps left. Aircover is making it difficult to get out. Should I go for an Australian base or try and make it to the open ocean back to midway? I'm playing on 100% w/TM 1.6.5.
Thanks for the advice!:arrgh!:

Kinda sorta depends on what part of S. China Sea you're in. Also what year it is; some new bases appear later on in the game. What the heck - try for Australia at 5 knots. You'll never make Midway. If you're down to 30%, though, I think you might be better off reloading an earlier save and don't lead-foot it. :)

If you're not in an S-class sub, then you should definitely be able to make it to Australia with 30% of fuel, possibly even Midway or Johnston Atoll(if available). The most efficient speed, however, is not 5 knots, but around 9.5 depending on the sub type. Just plot the course and set the speed to 9.5 knots, then click "max range at current speed" and "range to course end", and see if you can make it. If in doubt, refit in Australia before heading for home.

Long ride home
 

You will have to conserve fuel by using your submerged battery to extend range. I do that myself by running submerged until the battery is half, then surface to recharge. It takes hours to run down the battery and it saves fuel.

As soon as the charge is done, down I go.

I keep 50% battery in enemy waters, though.

Good luck

Thanks for the advice, I made it to fremantle, but not before getting detected by 2 subchasers in sunda straight. Made it past them unharmed and that was my gateway to friendly waters =O. 17000 tons purple heart, bronze star. Good stuff thanks for the help.

I was nursing my fuel usage in an S-class tub, starting near the top of Luzon. I found that after I dived, during the recharge cycle my projected range was terrible. I'm not so sure that running on batteries saves you any fuel. From a conservation of energy view, how could it? Running submerged has go to take more energy than running on the surface. That's energy out of the batteries, that doesn't just magically reappear out of nothing.

When it comes to fuel, I always run 1/3 speed until I hit the patrol zone . . . and even then only go higher when the need calls for it. With the advent of the tender in that one Harbor in WestNorthWest Australia . . . it saves several hundred (if not a thousand) miles to Perth . . . and it makes for a quick turn around back to the Banda Sea and points beyond.

Only problem is when you send a report in from there you are usually stuck with a Recon mission to the old Dutch Port in Java . . . never liked that one, waters to shallow and several dozen miles to the open ocean.

You cannot use the game range estimate when running on battery. It's not accurate in that mode. The range in only accurate on the surface fully charged using diesel. raymond's advise is my experience also. Best range surface speed varies based on weather effects and is between 7 and 9 knots. The more turbulent the weather, the slower you should set the speed so as not to waste fuel fighting against the waves.
-Pv-

That's actually not true: When you charge your batteries you burn more fuel. To conserve fuel you should run at 2/3 ahead (which is about 8 knots in fleet boats) or even better: set the speed to 9.5 knots as suggested earlier.

You will charge the battery faster if you use 1/3 speed which devotes 3 engines to the charging. After the charge is complete. Pick up the speed.

This has the added benefit you are able to dive or attack with a full battery sooner. Getting that battery topped up should be 1st priority when you are not under attack or attacking. Battery is life.
-Pv-