Reading Gagues
 

Hey guys, I've got a rather dumb question, but I will go ahead and ask it anyway.

I'm steaming along on a deployment in my VIIB boat in Sept '39. I've been out to sea for 4 days now, and am trying to evaluate my fuel gauge.

How do I read the stupid thing?

Thanks for all your help.

Also, since it is Memorial Day here in the U.S.- thank you to those who gave their all, and to those that served.

When it gets to the bottom, you've run out. :03:

I play it safe and read it from the bottom of the float. The red mark is 10% fuel remaining, I think, but I try not to let it get to that stage until I'm close to home!

You'll also find that you can't get AK once your fuel state drops below 10%.

And you can always ask your navigation officer how far you'll be able to travel on the remaining fuel. I use this a lot when plotting a long patrol.

Important variable in this is your current speed! Set different speeds, wait a while to attain that speed, and then ask your navigation officer to see how far you can go. There is a best mileage speed around 8 knots for the type VII.

IIA = 5,2 knots
IID = 5,08
VIIB = 6,88
VIIC = 6,8
IXB = 7,28
IXC = 7,32
IXD2 = 7,72

Translation: Unless your Engine Telegraph settings are modded (as are mine), Ahead Slow is your most economical speed.

Remember, that's what your turns are set for, not your actual speed made good.

[QUOTE=Snestorm;1674171]IIA = 5,2 knots
IID = 5,08
VIIB = 6,88
VIIC = 6,8
IXB = 7,28
IXC = 7,32
IXD2 = 7,72

Translation: Unless your Engine Telegraph settings are modded (as are mine), Ahead Slow is your most economical speed.

Remember, that's what your turns are set for, not your actual speed made good.[/] With some modification, yes

[QUOTE=Vendor;1674187]The way I'm modded, I need Ahead One Third to get those speeds, but they are the most economical.
(My Ahead Slow = Silent Speed submerged. Not economical on surface.)

I've modded this the same way and find it very useful. Comes in handy when you need to switch to silent submerged in a hurry. :up:

Do this when you are leaving harbor, which is usually calm seas and no wind (depending on your mod). Find the best speed. THEN go down below and check the RPMs for that speed. THAT is what you want to aim for when out on your cruise.

You only need to do that once for each boat class, as it is universal.

You're a wise man.
No more straining our eyes at the CE station!

Late war it's also nice, in dealing with all the "ups and downs", brought about by aircraft.
I still surface at TC x 1, but I just hit Ahead Slow and click on 50 meters to submerge, all at TC x 64. (Saves alot of Real (Your) Time, for The Real World).

Thanks for the kind words...

Still trying to learn (and modify my approach) every day, so I think I'll give your 64 x TC dive a try. It sounds like it could have a calming effect on the nerves (as well as being a real time saver).

Cheers! :salute:

About the guage itself: The box of another color near the top represents a float in the fuel. It will go down as time passes, but it isn't very accurate, as they really weren't in real life. It helps some to walk to the rear of the control room and look at the actual guage, which stretches from deck to overhead. Of course if there's a bunch of food there...

I think the mods that add the food to the CR are coded so that the food gradually disappears as your fuel is depleted. But I've no clue if it results in better access to that gauge. Which I, uh, didn't actually know was there until just now. :doh: :O:

Must eat faster... :O: