Battery Life Tested

raymond6751 · 02-27-06, 08:48 PM

On my way out to patrol, from Kiel, I decided to test my boat and crew. Specifically, battery life and recharge times.

I had already done tests in a type VIIB, but this patrol is in a type IIA. I wanted to see if there were differences, and there were.

First, I ran at 'P' depth, 1/3 speed,until the charge was down to 50% which took 7 hours. This was the same in the bigger boat, but my speed in the little one was 4 knots. The type VII goes at 5 knots at 1/3 speed. Interesting.

Recharging the VII boat from 50% to full took 3.5 hours at 1/3 speed on the surface. I did a recharge in the type IIA in 6 hours and 20 minutes.

Next, I was interested in how long it would take to fully discharge the batteries and what would happen at that point. Would the lights dim and equipment cease to function?

My test ran from 7:15 AM to the 50% point at 14:14 hours, but I continued. At 49 minutes past midnight I got the warning that batteries were at 10%. By the way, at 25% my speed reduced from 4 to 3 knots. At the 10% mark my speed reduced again to 2 knots. My oxygen was now down to 50% at this point.

My engine RPM gauge showed only 10 but I was to discover that the boat could continue a very long time without further warnings. At 4 AM my speed reduced again to 1 knot but there was no change in the battery gauge.

Finally, at 5:36 AM I received the warning that oxygen was down to 25% and I decided to surface to save the crew. The batteries were still showing 10% at this time. To surface, simulating a battery failure by stopping engines, I hit 'E' to blow ballast and the 'S' ordering surface. We popped up nicely.

Nine hours later, running at standard speed, the batteries were fully recharged. By the way, my surface speed before testing was a smart 10 knots. While charging the batteries it fluctuated between 7 and 8 knots. This could have been wave or current action but I doubt this is modelled in the game.

What's the point? If you want to hunt along the enemy coast, it helps to know these things to plan your recharges outside of enemy air cover! I am sure each type of boat has different characteristics. Knowing your boat could save the mission.

Tonnage_Ace · 02-27-06, 09:27 PM

Interesting little experiment. How about testing the XXI with/without VonHelsching's battery fix. That would be intruiging to see how the 'electro boat' shapes up.

VonHelsching · 02-28-06, 01:23 AM

Well, I did some tests myself 2-3 days ago, while having to make the pass from Bergen to Scapa in 1945 - Man! So many planes even after the first version of the NYGM Airmod -. The XXI after the fix goes well above the 340 @5 kn. (as per Uboat.net). The battery reaches 10% and you continue @ 2-3 kn. for about 150 miles more before the battery is depleted.

Even after the message "battery empty" the uboat continues to go forward @ 1,5 kn, but then you must surface due to CO2 levels.

Apart from the XXI which battery is definately flawed, I have the gut feeling that all u-boat batteries are mal-modelled (esp. from 40% to 0%)

I will do a test during the weekend and might make a global fix for all sub types; but this needs some time.

Any other report from testing Kaleuns would be valuable.

If this proves true (the flawed modelling), it's going to be a real realism hit; The depletion should be a little more aburpt. A lot of u-boats in RL had to surface after a long hunt by DDs.

Bonfleck · 02-28-06, 01:44 AM

Just curious cause I still haven't played. But if flank speed is a little over 7 knots it doesn't make much sense that 1/3 would push you along at 5?!?! How many settings does the telegraph have? :hmm:

The Avon Lady · 02-28-06, 02:34 AM

jasondef · 02-28-06, 03:32 AM

:P

raymond6751 · 02-28-06, 08:16 AM

I loved the EverReady rabbit picture, Avon Lady!!

I think that Ubisoft didn't really expect anyone to run the batteries down before the CO2 is used up.

My concern in testing was for planning my run ins to the coast of England. I want to run in daylight, out on the surface.

The 7 kn speed was at standard, not full nor flank speed. Larger and later boats had bigger battery compartments, and so different ranges and speeds.

I think if anyone gets to 10% battery and not under attack, they should surface. I never plan to continue below 50% power, leaving room for trouble if detected. A test is just a test.

02-28-06, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

raymond6751
That will be a greate idia

02-27-06, 08:48 PM	#1
raymond6751 Admirable Mike Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,338 Downloads: 421 Uploads: 0	Battery Life Tested On my way out to patrol, from Kiel, I decided to test my boat and crew. Specifically, battery life and recharge times. I had already done tests in a type VIIB, but this patrol is in a type IIA. I wanted to see if there were differences, and there were. First, I ran at 'P' depth, 1/3 speed,until the charge was down to 50% which took 7 hours. This was the same in the bigger boat, but my speed in the little one was 4 knots. The type VII goes at 5 knots at 1/3 speed. Interesting. Recharging the VII boat from 50% to full took 3.5 hours at 1/3 speed on the surface. I did a recharge in the type IIA in 6 hours and 20 minutes. Next, I was interested in how long it would take to fully discharge the batteries and what would happen at that point. Would the lights dim and equipment cease to function? My test ran from 7:15 AM to the 50% point at 14:14 hours, but I continued. At 49 minutes past midnight I got the warning that batteries were at 10%. By the way, at 25% my speed reduced from 4 to 3 knots. At the 10% mark my speed reduced again to 2 knots. My oxygen was now down to 50% at this point. My engine RPM gauge showed only 10 but I was to discover that the boat could continue a very long time without further warnings. At 4 AM my speed reduced again to 1 knot but there was no change in the battery gauge. Finally, at 5:36 AM I received the warning that oxygen was down to 25% and I decided to surface to save the crew. The batteries were still showing 10% at this time. To surface, simulating a battery failure by stopping engines, I hit 'E' to blow ballast and the 'S' ordering surface. We popped up nicely. Nine hours later, running at standard speed, the batteries were fully recharged. By the way, my surface speed before testing was a smart 10 knots. While charging the batteries it fluctuated between 7 and 8 knots. This could have been wave or current action but I doubt this is modelled in the game. What's the point? If you want to hunt along the enemy coast, it helps to know these things to plan your recharges outside of enemy air cover! I am sure each type of boat has different characteristics. Knowing your boat could save the mission.

02-28-06, 02:34 AM	#5
The Avon Lady Über Mom Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Posts: 6,147 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	__________________ "Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women." - Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria, Speech before the UN, 1974

02-28-06, 03:32 AM	#6
jasondef Weps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	:P __________________ "My, God! Those bulkheads! Did you hear them burst!" System: 40gb 5400rpm HD \| Generic MB from around '02 \| P4 2.6 400GHz \| 1 GB PC2100 DDR (2 mismatched 512's) 16x CD-ROM \| GeForce 7800 AGP \| broken Radio Shack case fan \| Ergonomic keyboard (missing a shift key) PS2 ball mouse \| surge protector \| USB 1.1 expansion card \| Really cool surround-sound headphones

02-28-06, 08:16 AM	#7
raymond6751 Admirable Mike Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,338 Downloads: 421 Uploads: 0	batteries I loved the EverReady rabbit picture, Avon Lady!! I think that Ubisoft didn't really expect anyone to run the batteries down before the CO2 is used up. My concern in testing was for planning my run ins to the coast of England. I want to run in daylight, out on the surface. The 7 kn speed was at standard, not full nor flank speed. Larger and later boats had bigger battery compartments, and so different ranges and speeds. I think if anyone gets to 10% battery and not under attack, they should surface. I never plan to continue below 50% power, leaving room for trouble if detected. A test is just a test.

02-27-06, 09:27 PM	#2
Tonnage_Ace XO Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 411 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Interesting little experiment. How about testing the XXI with/without VonHelsching's battery fix. That would be intruiging to see how the 'electro boat' shapes up.

02-28-06, 01:23 AM	#3
VonHelsching Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 1,025 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well, I did some tests myself 2-3 days ago, while having to make the pass from Bergen to Scapa in 1945 - Man! So many planes even after the first version of the NYGM Airmod -. The XXI after the fix goes well above the 340 @5 kn. (as per Uboat.net). The battery reaches 10% and you continue @ 2-3 kn. for about 150 miles more before the battery is depleted. Even after the message "battery empty" the uboat continues to go forward @ 1,5 kn, but then you must surface due to CO2 levels. Apart from the XXI which battery is definately flawed, I have the gut feeling that all u-boat batteries are mal-modelled (esp. from 40% to 0%) I will do a test during the weekend and might make a global fix for all sub types; but this needs some time. Any other report from testing Kaleuns would be valuable. If this proves true (the flawed modelling), it's going to be a real realism hit; The depletion should be a little more aburpt. A lot of u-boats in RL had to surface after a long hunt by DDs.

02-28-06, 01:44 AM	#4
Bonfleck Torpedoman Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 113 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Just curious cause I still haven't played. But if flank speed is a little over 7 knots it doesn't make much sense that 1/3 would push you along at 5?!?! How many settings does the telegraph have? :hmm: