Question About IC2 Energy

[MrMindyMindMaxi]

I'm getting very confused with how it works.

I have a power bank of 10 MFSUs which is powering everything, however there are basic machines on the way which use LV and some more advanced machines which use MV.

My question is, should all basic machines be powered through one LV transformer, or should each machine have a LV transformer of its own?

 

[PeggleFrank]

All of them should be powered through one LV transformer.

If they aren't getting enough power, you'll want to hook up an MV current to an LV transformer, for every single machine.

If they still aren't getting enough power, give them all transformer upgrades and give them MV current.

 

[Harvest88]

Better yet upgrade LV machines all the way to your largest voltage output then use that to run your entire production line. Will spare CPU power if you do that instead of spamming 500 LV packets. Only exception is to set down current to HV cause you can't afford Superconductors/don't have GT.

 

[JohnTzimisces]

A setup I use:

1 MFSU feeds into 1 MV Transformer (the total throughput for both of these machines is 512 eu/t). 1 MV Transformer feeds into 4 LV transformers (the total throughput for LV transformers is 128 eu/t in packets of 32).

This way, if I accidentally connect something to my main grid, it won't explode, and at worst it just won't work (IE, gregtech machines). This also allows me to limit the infrastructure around machines or banks of machines; I just select a kind of battery (like an MFE, MFSU, or Batbox) that outputs at the proper voltage to the machine (or bank of machines in the case of basic stuff that doesn't require a specific packet size) and it works, no muss no fuss.

I am considering upping the voltage on my LV machines and grid to MV though. I haven't so far just because it adds an extra step beyond crafting the machine itself (and because it was a relatively inexpensive option to make one MV transformer and 4 LV transformers). Curious to see how it impacts client performance since I'm on SSP and my MFSU is now in constant operation.

EDIT: Re-reading the OP: One LV transformer for all LV machines can work, but it depends on how many you have running. The total throughput of a single LV transformer is 128 eu/t (you can run a fair number of basic machines with that). If the machines aren't getting enough power, add another LV transformer between your grid and the machines, adjacent to the other one but not receiving or giving power to another LV transformer. This will increase the throughput from your grid to your LV machines to 256 eu/t (in safe packets of 32). Just make sure the LV transformers are receiving MV. If your grid is high voltage straight from the MFSUs, use a MV transformer to output to the input face of an LV trans, which outputs to your LV machines.
God what a mouthful.

 

[netmc]

I personally run HV throughout my base and step it down using MV and LV transformers where needed. Most of my machines are in groups, so i don't need as many transformers to keep everything connected properly.

I base the number of transformers I need based on the devices I am connecting. The LV transformer, can output 32eu/tick per face when connected to MV. I know the power draw for gregtech machines, so that is what I will respond on. The industrial centrifuge will consume 5eu/tick. So one 32eu/tick line can power 6 machines. (one face of a LV transformer). The chemical reactor however requires a full 32eu/tick to run, so it can be the only thing on the line (one face of LV transformer). It is possible to connect multiple faces of a transformer to the same line, so you *can* get more than 32eu/tick on the cable and power multiple machines.

 

[ff255away]

Netmc has it correct. Through some experimenting, we've found that a single face can output as much as the sum of all of the faces (so instead of having transformer cable-flowers, you can have one line). Makes for some much cleaner wiring. Also, be aware that the eu limit on cables is packet size, not total eu. So you can have 10 batboxes outputting into one copper line if you want.

 

[draeath]

I go with MV, breaking that down to LV to feed gangs of LV machinery. I figure multiple smaller EU packets over a short run is more likely to keep the machines happy then sparser MV packets. I seldom bother with HV, just within the power-handling stuff itself.

If I find I need more "throughput" I just slap another transformer in parallel. This results in more LV packets flying down the wire to the machines, keeping everyone happy.

Don't think of it as flow. That will put you on the wrong mindset and you will make false assumptions. Instead, imagine them as a data network with packet sizes. The "maximum voltage" is the MTU, and transformers fragment the packets down to the MTU, breaking a large amount of data into smaller pieces for transmission.

 

[KingTriaxx]

I find that it's easier to plug things directly into a power supply of the same voltage. So LV's each get a batbox, MV's get an MFE.

Of course, if all else fails, you can plug in lines of Upgrade friendly machines with transformer upgrades and energy storage upgrades. That way A) it doesn't explode, and B) it can better handle the slower speed of the power flow.

 

[Azzanine]

You could get away with one MV>LV transformer line feeding your machines but it is better to have a transformer for each machine but remember each machine will need BOTH a MV and LV transformer if you are feeding them with a HV line.

Just do what your materials allow you to.

 

[KingTriaxx]

I do notice that certain GT machines, such as the Industrial Blast Furnace and Electrolyzer, which require a continuous 128 output, are sometimes better fed from a stepped down (HV>MV) MFSU than with an MFE. Even if the MFE is dedicated to that device.

 

[Hydra]

Better yet upgrade LV machines all the way to your largest voltage output then use that to run your entire production line.

I did that once. I then placed a new machine that of course didn't have any transformer upgrades. Results were predictable yet unfortunate.

 

[netmc]

I did that once. I then placed a new machine that of course didn't have any transformer upgrades. Results were predictable yet unfortunate.

That's why I don't normally run base IC2 machines off a different voltage tier. You have to place the machines, then the transformer upgrades, *then* attach the power. Way too easy to miss a step. It's a little easier with GT machines now that the upgrades are permanent, but you still have the issue with brand new machines. Of course when GT machines explode, they place ever increasing voltage packets on the line starting with 32eu and all the way to 2048eu, so if you use higher tier cabling for your power lines, you end up blowing out every single machine. (IE using glass fiber for MV applications.) The first machine explodes, and sends 32, 128, and finally 512 eu onto the line blowing out everything that can't handle 512. It does send a 2048eu packet on the line, but the glass fiber cable poofs first and saves the rest of your network.

 

[Hydra]

Both the IC2 power system and the way GT makes it even more 'fun' is completely rediculous IMHO. It's not fun and doesn't even make any sense from a RL standpoint.

 

[Benjywa]

My old setp running down the middle of my machine room

MFSU
DIAMOND
MV
DIAMOND
LV
DIAMOND

I try and keep stuff together and have dedicated MFE for GT machines. running cabling off to the sides to the machines and the connecting diamond wire is just to stop the offshoots clashings

My current setup is having separate rooms for everything

Main power in has MFSUS
GT room has an MFSU & MV at the entrance which splits to MFE's for each machine
IC2 Room has MFSU MV LV and then cabling to each machine
UU Fab room Has MFSU directly attached

 

[draeath]

Both the IC2 power system and the way GT makes it even more 'fun' is completely rediculous IMHO. It's not fun and doesn't even make any sense from a RL standpoint.

Apparently they don't have fuses or circuit breakers in the IC2 and gregtech "universes."

 

[Loufmier]

Apparently they don't have fuses or circuit breakers in the IC2 and gregtech "universes."

why use those, when you can use tnt and nukes?