Why do electric engines kick in when you submerge?

[TwistedFemur]

Originally Posted by Seefer

So there's no snorkel on this series of subs in SH5? I was curious about the snorkel entry in the command.cfg file.

I'm surprised the exhaust from the diesel engines in WWII subs was not somehow sequestered via a compressor into some tank under pressure, which could then be vented, either underwater or whilst surfaced, at will. Then again I'm no engineer so unsure of the technical difficulties of such a system. Though come to think of it, I suspect it would mean air pressure issues due to the diesel engines requiring oxygen from the closed-system air supply inside the submarine?

Are you serious?

[rocker_lx]

There where experiments with closed cycle diesel engines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air-independent_propulsion

[Highbury]

Experiments, but no front line service units so it would not fit in the scope of the game IMO.

[rocker_lx]

Originally Posted by Highbury

Experiments, but no front line service units so it would not fit in the scope of the game IMO.

Of course not, I was just pointing out that some people where seeing a possible solution to these problems before and during WW2, because TwistedFemur's reply sounded a little as one has to be mad to think of such an idea.

[CaptainMattJ.]

maybe if they had the technology back then, they couldve pulled the air out of the water. you all know that water is 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 OXYGEN atom. thats how fish live. their gills separate the air from the water and breathe it in. of course if they had that tech theyd find easier ways, but thats just 1 way they couldve fed outside air inside to not only the engines but the crew, too so that staying underwater wasnt an issue of air and battery charge and of major speed difference.