Silent Hunter 5 Tactics & Tips - "How do I?" & FAQ! READ IF YOU ARE STUCK

[raymond6751]

Originally Posted by Gunsilnger

Hey guys I wanted to add my method for estimating fuel usage. Keep in mind I'm still pretty new so some of my tricks could be common knowledge for some of you.

I recently turned my realism up with fuel being one of the aspects. I spent the whole game so far planning to up the realism so I'm already in the habit of using the "half speed" setting to save fuel. Anyway I set course and left port and soon realized, I have no idea how far I can go regardless of speed setting.

Then I did what any good Captain would do: Keep calm and use math!

So I looked at my fuel gauge and was at 98%.
I then used the ruler to measure how far I'd traveled from port, 321 Km at half speed. Then using the formula of "321km=2% fuel", I broke down my plotted path into 321 Km sections all the way to my destination.
I came up with an estimate of 89% fuel remaining upon reaching my destination over a course of 1950 Km.

When I reached my assigned destination, I had 89% fuel remaining right on the money.
Fuel usage will of course change and be harder to estimate if you need to put the boat through maneuvers, or have to change speeds.

Hope this is helpful! Happy hunting!

Good stuff, Gunslinger
The question is whether sea state (high waves & wind) would play in that long range calculation. I bet it does! You also want to check if your speed is in nautical miles or km because the map is in km.

Roughly there are two nm per km.

I would never expect my math to be dead on after a long distance run, since weather should never be the same that long.

Time for trials, huh? This is the stuff I do when going out and returning home. No sense testing things under fire!!!

[BigWalleye]

The Navigator has a command "Report range at current speed" which does just what it says. (I don't recall where this command is located, as I always use voice command, but it shouldn't be too hard to find.) Experiment with various speed settings during transition to your patrol area. Always allow time for the speed to settle after you change settings, as the Nav will only give you the range at current instantaneous speed, not the speed requested. Make sure you are in fairly calm seas. Then make a rough estimate of the distance from your patrol area to the refueling base you plan to use. R/L, RTB (at most efficient speed) + 10% (of total fuel range) is considered "Bingo", the point at which all offensive action should cease and the vessel should return home. Keep querying the Nav about range remaining so you know your operational flexibility, and adjust your plans if bad weather increases your fuel consumption. Always consider your fuel status when making tactical/operational plans.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

The Navigator has a command "Report range at current speed" which does just what it says. (I don't recall where this command is located, as I always use voice command, but it shouldn't be too hard to find.) Experiment with various speed settings during transition to your patrol area. Always allow time for the speed to settle after you change settings, as the Nav will only give you the range at current instantaneous speed, not the speed requested. Make sure you are in fairly calm seas. Then make a rough estimate of the distance from your patrol area to the refueling base you plan to use. R/L, RTB (at most efficient speed) + 10% (of total fuel range) is considered "Bingo", the point at which all offensive action should cease and the vessel should return home. Keep querying the Nav about range remaining so you know your operational flexibility, and adjust your plans if bad weather increases your fuel consumption. Always consider your fuel status when making tactical/operational plans.

could we not have mod to tel herr peltz to clutch the diesel to the generator to increase das boots range?

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi Guys
Here is a useful mod that increases the number of torp types available over the 2 in the stock game Check out Nauticalwolf's Torpedo Textures' and follow the links. The mod is available in 2 colours brown and grey.
Choose your torp load in the bunker and untick autoloading. When reloading you can choose your torp type and tube.
You need to untick autoloading each time you load the game.

If you are newbie don't disregard the electric torp as this can be useful for penetrating a target that is surrounded by a destroyer screen. As it is wakeless there is less chance of it being spotted and the target altering course. Although slower than the T I G7a the T III G7e has a very good range and will give you added time to turn and go deep.
Happy hunting

[Mikemike47]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

The Navigator has a command "Report range at current speed" which does just what it says. (I don't recall where this command is located, as I always use voice command, but it shouldn't be too hard to find.)

I use voice recognition with shoot. I have seen others use more complicated programs. Haven't had a problem with shoot for SH3 to SH5 and the battlefield series.

Report range at current speed is:
data\cfg\commands.cfg
[Cmd257]
Name=Report_time_to_turn
Contexts=1
MnID=0x3F250002
Key0=0x47,s,"SHIFT + G" - my entry in for shoot

[Gunsilnger]

Originally Posted by raymond6751

Good stuff, Gunslinger
The question is whether sea state (high waves & wind) would play in that long range calculation. I bet it does! You also want to check if your speed is in nautical miles or km because the map is in km.

Roughly there are two nm per km.

I would never expect my math to be dead on after a long distance run, since weather should never be the same that long.

Time for trials, huh? This is the stuff I do when going out and returning home. No sense testing things under fire!!!

Very good point, I didn't take varying weather into consideration, but I'd be willing to bet it'll have a huge effect, especially strong wind. I'll have to do a couple very long range tests in different weather conditions to get a better idea of how much the high seas, and strong wind effect range.

Thanks Raymond6751 for the heads up about the weather, this sim is so realistic, sometimes I forget that the environment has such drastic effects.

Happy Hunting friends!!

[DieReeperbahn]

Originally Posted by raymond6751

Good stuff, Gunslinger
The question is whether sea state (high waves & wind) would play in that long range calculation. I bet it does! You also want to check if your speed is in nautical miles or km because the map is in km.

Roughly there are two nm per km.

I would never expect my math to be dead on after a long distance run, since weather should never be the same that long.

Time for trials, huh? This is the stuff I do when going out and returning home. No sense testing things under fire!!!

1.85km - 1nm