Fuel Consumption

12-16-06, 10:10 PM

I'm on Patrol 1 from Kiel to AN21. I've just got to AN21 by sailing at three knots all the way to conserve fuel but now it's down below 50%. The manual says that heavy seas will now impede the boat and make it use more fuel but my situation seems crazy. I'm not sure I can make it home even if I head straight back there and forget about cruisin' for targets.

Is this how the fuel model is meant to be? Would appreciate any thoughts.

Letum · 12-16-06, 11:36 PM

Three knots is not a economical speed.

It's not a case of slower=better.

The best speed for most u-boots and engines is ~7kbots

mookiemookie · 12-17-06, 01:55 AM

What kind of boat is it? Type II? VII? IX?

I'm playing with a IXB and haven't noticed anything that out of the ordinary. Been out for about 2 weeks and I'm at about 55% to 60% fuel. Granted, its June and the weather hasn't been too bad.

Are you using SH3 Commander? If you are and you have the mafunctions/sabotage option turned on, it could be a fuel leak or worn engines or sabotage.

baggygreen · 12-17-06, 01:56 AM

In fact mate, i've found that the most efficient speed for fuel consumption is somewhere around 8 or 9 knots (set manually on the dial). with a type IXC that'll get me almost 30,000km with just one tank! Given the prices of petrol lately, thats a pretty good bloody deal

Its true that heavy weather will detract from your range, but one way around that is to dive during storms - what kind of bloke would keep his crew up on the surface during a bloody violent storm, anyways?!?

Hartmann · 12-17-06, 02:45 AM

I used a lot IX-B boats with supercharger upgrade and the best speed is 9 knts

another way to save fuel is dive during day or storms, it also helps detect enemy ships by hidrophone.

THE_MASK · 12-17-06, 02:52 AM

F1 explains it . You are required back at uboot school immediately .

12-17-06, 05:00 AM

The boat's a II and all I'm doing, right or wrong, is exactly what I have been doing under GW 1.1 for ages and I've never had a fuel problem like this. It 's crazy. I've done lots of 1st Patrols in various careers but this is very different and I don't understand it.

THE_MASK · 12-17-06, 05:24 AM

Ok i see . I started in 1939 from willhelmshaven to a BE grid ia a V type and yes , i can notice the sub uses more fuel . I think the current fuel usage is more realistic . I also think that as the captain in charge you now have to worry about fuel in a serious way and maybe you should have made a decision to turn back when it looked like fuel was nearing half way . I actually think its fantastically realistic and something extra for me to plan . cheers.

Jimbuna · 12-17-06, 06:46 AM

Quote:

I used a lot IX-B boats with supercharger upgrade and the best speed is 9 knts

another way to save fuel is dive during day or storms, it also helps detect enemy ships by hidrophone.

DITTO

Quote:

I think the current fuel usage is more realistic . I also think that as the captain in charge you now have to worry about fuel in a serious way and maybe you should have made a decision to turn back when it looked like fuel was nearing half way . I actually think its fantastically realistic and something extra for me to plan.

True

You always have the option to disable 'realistic fuel' if you so wish

Safe-Keeper · 12-17-06, 06:52 AM

I just went from Kiel to AN64 and back myself. I didn't have enough fuel to even make it to Wilhelmshaven and had to hit 'Esc' to quit.

And as was stated, sometimes moving slower uses more fuel. Page 10-5 of the Stars! manual (this was back in the days when games had manuals, see) has an example:

Quote:

Let's say you have a fleet that can can travel at warp 5 for 3mg per year of travel. A journey of 100ly would take 4 years and use 12mg of fuel. If you slowed down to warp 4 it would only cost 2mg per year of travel, but the journey would take 7 years for a total of 14mg of fuel. This is a case where it is more economical to go at the faster speed.

Also keep in mind that after diving, you have to recharge your battery. Thus, submerging as much as possible is not a recommendable strategy.

12-17-06, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baggygreen

In fact mate, i've found that the most efficient speed for fuel consumption is somewhere around 8 or 9 knots (set manually on the dial). with a type IXC that'll get me almost 30,000km with just one tank! Given the prices of petrol lately, thats a pretty good bloody deal.

Yes but have you done that in GWX yet? You might find you can't do that now if the fuel model has changed.

12-17-06, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sober

Ok i see . I started in 1939 from willhelmshaven to a BE grid ia a V type and yes , i can notice the sub uses more fuel . I think the current fuel usage is more realistic . I also think that as the captain in charge you now have to worry about fuel in a serious way and maybe you should have made a decision to turn back when it looked like fuel was nearing half way . I actually think its fantastically realistic and something extra for me to plan . cheers.

My consumption problem could be due to sabotage or a worn engine as someone else suggested - I'll look into that. EDIT: Malfunctions and sabotage are not switched on in SH3C.

But apart from that, on the 'realism' thing, I know the Type II is a coastal boat, so how real is it to set a patrol objective that requires me to go from Kiel to the Hebrides and back in a coastal sub?

bigboywooly · 12-17-06, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Commandant

Quote:

Originally Posted by sober

Ok i see . I started in 1939 from willhelmshaven to a BE grid ia a V type and yes , i can notice the sub uses more fuel . I think the current fuel usage is more realistic . I also think that as the captain in charge you now have to worry about fuel in a serious way and maybe you should have made a decision to turn back when it looked like fuel was nearing half way . I actually think its fantastically realistic and something extra for me to plan . cheers.

My consumption problem could be due to sabotage or a worn engine as someone else suggested - I'll look into that.

But apart from that, on the 'realism' thing, I know the Type II is a coastal boot, so how real is it to set a patrol objective that requires me to go from Kiel to the Hebrides and back in a coastal sub?

You can set your own grid through SH3commander
I like to go to the Baltic on first patrol and catch some Polish shipping

12-17-06, 11:58 AM

[Quote BBW: You can set your own grid through SH3commander
I like to go to the Baltic on first patrol and catch some Polish shipping[/quote]

I guess that's right BBW but setting my own patrol orders/objective via SH3C doesn't seem very real to me either. My superior officer says "Your mission is to ..." and I say "Nah, I want to do this...".

bigboywooly · 12-17-06, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Commandant

[Quote BBW: You can set your own grid through SH3commander
I like to go to the Baltic on first patrol and catch some Polish shipping

I guess that's right BBW but setting my own patrol orders/objective via SH3C doesn't seem very real to me either. My superior officer says "Your mission is to ..." and I say "Nah, I want to do this...".[/quote]

True but you set the grid before any is assigned technically your not breaking orders :rotfl:
After a couple of close patrols in a type II I go where Bdu sends me

12-16-06, 10:10 PM	#1
Kiwi Commandant Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Fuel Consumption I'm on Patrol 1 from Kiel to AN21. I've just got to AN21 by sailing at three knots all the way to conserve fuel but now it's down below 50%. The manual says that heavy seas will now impede the boat and make it use more fuel but my situation seems crazy. I'm not sure I can make it home even if I head straight back there and forget about cruisin' for targets. Is this how the fuel model is meant to be? Would appreciate any thoughts.

12-17-06, 01:55 AM	#3
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	What kind of boat is it? Type II? VII? IX? I'm playing with a IXB and haven't noticed anything that out of the ordinary. Been out for about 2 weeks and I'm at about 55% to 60% fuel. Granted, its June and the weather hasn't been too bad. Are you using SH3 Commander? If you are and you have the mafunctions/sabotage option turned on, it could be a fuel leak or worn engines or sabotage. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

12-17-06, 01:56 AM	#4
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	In fact mate, i've found that the most efficient speed for fuel consumption is somewhere around 8 or 9 knots (set manually on the dial). with a type IXC that'll get me almost 30,000km with just one tank! Given the prices of petrol lately, thats a pretty good bloody deal Its true that heavy weather will detract from your range, but one way around that is to dive during storms - what kind of bloke would keep his crew up on the surface during a bloody violent storm, anyways?!? Last edited by baggygreen; 12-17-06 at 02:49 AM.

12-17-06, 02:45 AM	#5
Hartmann Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Grid CH 26, Spain ,Barcelona Posts: 1,857 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	I used a lot IX-B boats with supercharger upgrade and the best speed is 9 knts another way to save fuel is dive during day or storms, it also helps detect enemy ships by hidrophone. __________________ But this ship can't sink!... She is made of iron, sir. I assure you, she can. and she will. It is a mathematical certainty. Strength and honor

12-16-06, 11:36 PM	#2
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Three knots is not a economical speed. It's not a case of slower=better. The best speed for most u-boots and engines is ~7kbots

12-17-06, 02:52 AM	#6
THE_MASK Ace of the deep . Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,226 Downloads: 901 Uploads: 73	F1 explains it . You are required back at uboot school immediately .

12-17-06, 05:00 AM	#7
Kiwi Commandant Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The boat's a II and all I'm doing, right or wrong, is exactly what I have been doing under GW 1.1 for ages and I've never had a fuel problem like this. It 's crazy. I've done lots of 1st Patrols in various careers but this is very different and I don't understand it.

12-17-06, 05:24 AM	#8
THE_MASK Ace of the deep . Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,226 Downloads: 901 Uploads: 73	Ok i see . I started in 1939 from willhelmshaven to a BE grid ia a V type and yes , i can notice the sub uses more fuel . I think the current fuel usage is more realistic . I also think that as the captain in charge you now have to worry about fuel in a serious way and maybe you should have made a decision to turn back when it looked like fuel was nearing half way . I actually think its fantastically realistic and something extra for me to plan . cheers.

12-17-06, 11:58 AM	#14
Kiwi Commandant Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	[Quote BBW: You can set your own grid through SH3commander I like to go to the Baltic on first patrol and catch some Polish shipping[/quote] I guess that's right BBW but setting my own patrol orders/objective via SH3C doesn't seem very real to me either. My superior officer says "Your mission is to ..." and I say "Nah, I want to do this...".