Running on batteries won't conserve fuel. R/L, it takes more energy to charge the batteries than you can get out of them, usually about 15-25% more. (This is the myth of the electric car.) I doubt the devs actually modeled this, but it's built into ranges and speeds. You use just as much fuel going slow on one engine while the other recharges the batteries as you do going much faster on two engines at normal propulsion. And you go slower still on batteries. So the distance traveled on a "tank of gas" decreases the more you use the batteries.
All WW2 submarines were spec'ed to deliver optimum cruise radius at 10 knots. So that's what the builders delivered. Set you speed to 10 kts and you will see greatly improved range. That's what the R/L sub skippers did, and it works in the game. Also, check with the Nav officer on range remaining. It'll quickly show you optimum cruising speed.
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