Topic: SM: P VM A-2.4 Select Power Source (21) Solar Panels p. 116

[snrdg051306]

What is the beginning Technology Level of Solar Panels?

[snrdg051306]

Additional questions have come up after I posted and here they are:

Question 1: In addition to computers and life support what other systems would be powered by solar panels?

Recommendations for Question 1

Communication systems are one item I would include on the list to draw power from solar panels.

I'd also recommend providing enough power to an normal space drive to provide at least 0.1 Gs of acceleration for maneuvering purposes.

Question 2: How do you calculate the solar panel power output?

No recommendations yet.

[snrdg051306]

Question 2 update: How do you calculate the solar panel power output?

No recommendations yet.

Recommendation Question 2

Total Power Output: Surface Area (square meters) * 0.01

[markc]

 There is lots of hand waving going on there, IIRC. But I do not have an answer for you. Or a book answer for you.


 IMHO once you can get a power output value then all the rest fall into place.
  I would say anything that has negligible power rating would be powered by the solar panels.


MDC

[Defendi]

I would agree about the negligible power statement.  I would also point out that anything other than short range communications probably aren't negligible power, unless the book disagrees.    (By short range I mean inside a single planetary system, such as from orbit to surface or ship to ship in the same orbit).

[snrdg051306]

Howdy Mark C,

I've found the following systems stating that the power cost is negligible:

Microfreg Comm Rig - I'd say this draws power from the solar panels
Basic Sensor Suite  - I'd say this draws power from the solar panels
Life Support - Draws power from solar panels p. 115
Computers - Draws power from solar panels p. 115
Recreational Facilities - Only if food storage is part the system
Sick Bay - I'd say this draws power from the solar panels
Labs - Depends on what the lab can do to get the primary power back on line.
Workshop - Again depends on what is needed to make repairs to the primary power source.
Security Stations - At least one if they are installed.
Fighter/Vehicle Bays - Depends on if the ship is being abandoned

Does Step 20 Select Maneuverability allow for minor course adjustments without using a drive system?

If the answer is yes then the normal drive system probably won't need power.

If no then both the drive system and maneuverability need at least enough power to function.

PDS would probably get minimum power if installed.

If the vehicle has no radiation shielding, but has a defensive screen this would also be powered, at least in my opinion, at a minimum level.

Active EW might get power if I'm in a combat situation and the system is installed.

Active Sensors might be included as drawing power from the solar panels when he primary power source is off-line.

Tight Beam, Tachyon, and/or Quantum Comm Rigs I provide power to the one, if any installed, with the longest range since they only consume 1 power.

Just about everything else is turned off until the primary power source or perhaps the auxiliary power source is brought on-line.

[snrdg051306]

I was typing my reply and how I might handle the use of solar panels.

[markc]

 I need to sit down with my book to reply. That will happen later today.
MDC

[markc]

 IMHO all are good except the maneuverability as it is a really big area that is hard to quantify. I would defiantly say that you do not get the full evade bonus if you do not have power but maybe you should get the amount divided by some number (maybe 5, 4, 3 or 2).


 Powered systems would be PDS, Screens but IMHO not radiation shielding. IMHO it all depends on how much power you can draw from the solar panels. If it is enough to give you X power a round you have to decide just what you want to power each round. A pain yes but IMHO realistic.
 I also do not remember if they have capacitors as a step but you could also have a ship with a large bank of capacitors to aid in your energy curve.


MDC 

[snrdg051306]

Thanks for the feedback MarkC.

Maneuverability is another SM: P concept that I'm not fully grasping from the description on p. 114. Before reading the detail I was thinking that Maneuverability was used for the more delicate movements like docking with a space station or another vehicle. I'm still not sure if Maneuverability should get a share of the power provided by solar panels.

Select Radiation Shielding (40), p. 120, has the Total Shielding Power Cost as 0. Which makes me believe radiation shielding is more like an armor belt that the defensive screen.

One of the reasons I suggested the equation for Total Solar Panel Power Output being = Surface Area x 0.01 is to be able to figure out what systems, besides the computer and life support, can be powered when the primary power source is off-line. This is the balancing which systems are running.

SM1 Tech Law, 2nd U.S. ed 1985 Stock #9200 ISBN 0-915795-38-8, (14) Auxiliary Reactor p. 31 gives the equation of 2 x Systems ER (Volume ÷ 100) for the reactor's power output. The output is what you have to power everything but weapons, drives, or shields.

I haven't found a reference to capacitors in the books I have for SM: P, which doesn't mean that they are not their. Nuclear powered submarines have three power sources which are the reactor, a small diesel generator, and batteries. A conventional submarine has diesels and batteries. Traveller MT, TNE, and T4 allow for multiple power sources like batteries an capacitors. Oh, well this might be an optional rule in the next update of SM.

[Marc R]

Radiation shielding on current spacecraft is a layer of lead or something similar. . .power draw of 0.

[snrdg051306]

Morning Marc R,

Thank you for the clarification and confirmation that radiation shielding is some type of physical material that does not require power.

[Marc R]

It's the only answer that makes sense if it's power draw is zero, unless you have some form of field that is actually powered by the radiation hitting it, and thus self supporting at a power level of 0.

(A meta bit here might be that if the power draw was not 0, in many instances the whole crew would die in any power failure)

[snrdg051306]

Hello again Marc R,

I thought that was what the radiation shield was, however someone mentioned something about the the radiation shielding not being powered by the solar array.

Thanks again