Fuel Consumption Tests

epower · 12-09-08, 12:57 PM

Some time ago I discovered that patrolling at 2 kts or using the OKane technique of 'lying to' with engines off on the surface actually used a rather large % of my fuel. As a long time consumer and fan of the remarkable work on this forum ( ROW, TMO, RFB, RSRDC and innumerable other mods) I figured it was high time for me to contribute something, however tangential, so here are the results of some fuel tests.

Scouring these boards led me to the figure of 0.45 as the most efficient throttle setting and my own tests support this conclusion although the difference from 0.48 is just a few hundred miles on a full tank. I've edited my Data\Submarine\NSS_Gato.cfg file to reflect this. RFB setting is 0.48

Platform
RFB 1.52_102408
RFB v1.52 Patch 111608
RSRDC RFBv15 v396

Methodology

American career SubPac 11/17/43 - Gato. Reloaded the same saved game in base each time. Heading South at test speed. Started clock when fuel level reached 98% and concluded when fuel level reached 88%. Tested for 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9* (0.45), 11, 13 15, 17 and Flank (1.00) Times over 100hrs rounded to nearest hour. To make the math easier, I've assumed a 100,000 gallon fuel capacity.

Spd ...T 10%.....%/ Hr .....Gal/ hr based on a 100,000 capacity

0.......129..........0.0775.......7.75

1.......129..........0.0775.......7.75
3.......129..........0.0775.......7.75
5.......129..........0.0775.......7.75
7.......129..........0.0775.......7.75
9*..... 129......... 0.0775.......7.75
11......80.50.......0.1242......12.42
13......50.67.......0.1974......19.74
15......34.25.......0.2917......29.17
17......24.25.......0.4124......41.24
FLK....13.00........0.7692......76.92

I had expected the geometric increase in consumption for speeds over STD but the flat line for speeds 0 thru STD was a surprise. I guess it makes the most sense to travel at 9* knots in the patrol area since the fuel will be consumed anyway.

Mucking about with S3D (great fun indeed!) I find that the RFB NSS_Gato.sim file lists surfaced range and speed at it's historic 11000 miles and 10 knots.

I had a tough time finding historical data on fuel use although the reports for Wahoo's 4th and 5th patrols provide some useful info. Link:

http://www.esryle.com/coblinks/links/PATROLREPORTS.html

My Thanks again to all who spend so much of their time and skill improving the SH4 experience

S!

epower

12-09-08, 12:57 PM	#1
epower Watch Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 25 Downloads: 122 Uploads: 0	Fuel Consumption Tests Some time ago I discovered that patrolling at 2 kts or using the OKane technique of 'lying to' with engines off on the surface actually used a rather large % of my fuel. As a long time consumer and fan of the remarkable work on this forum ( ROW, TMO, RFB, RSRDC and innumerable other mods) I figured it was high time for me to contribute something, however tangential, so here are the results of some fuel tests. Scouring these boards led me to the figure of 0.45 as the most efficient throttle setting and my own tests support this conclusion although the difference from 0.48 is just a few hundred miles on a full tank. I've edited my Data\Submarine\NSS_Gato.cfg file to reflect this. RFB setting is 0.48 Platform RFB 1.52_102408 RFB v1.52 Patch 111608 RSRDC RFBv15 v396 Methodology American career SubPac 11/17/43 - Gato. Reloaded the same saved game in base each time. Heading South at test speed. Started clock when fuel level reached 98% and concluded when fuel level reached 88%. Tested for 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9* (0.45), 11, 13 15, 17 and Flank (1.00) Times over 100hrs rounded to nearest hour. To make the math easier, I've assumed a 100,000 gallon fuel capacity. Spd ...T 10%.....%/ Hr .....Gal/ hr based on a 100,000 capacity 0.......129..........0.0775.......7.75 1.......129..........0.0775.......7.75 3.......129..........0.0775.......7.75 5.......129..........0.0775.......7.75 7.......129..........0.0775.......7.75 9..... 129......... 0.0775.......7.75 11......80.50.......0.1242......12.42 13......50.67.......0.1974......19.74 15......34.25.......0.2917......29.17 17......24.25.......0.4124......41.24 FLK....13.00........0.7692......76.92 I had expected the geometric increase in consumption for speeds over STD but the flat line for speeds 0 thru STD was a surprise. I guess it makes the most sense to travel at 9 knots in the patrol area since the fuel will be consumed anyway. Mucking about with S3D (great fun indeed!) I find that the RFB NSS_Gato.sim file lists surfaced range and speed at it's historic 11000 miles and 10 knots. I had a tough time finding historical data on fuel use although the reports for Wahoo's 4th and 5th patrols provide some useful info. Link: http://www.esryle.com/coblinks/links/PATROLREPORTS.html My Thanks again to all who spend so much of their time and skill improving the SH4 experience S! epower