Have you noticed that you can setup priorities for modules? Will automatically shutdown low priority modules when you do not have enough power, like when you bring the hard points out?
I somehow assume that it is a norm that you shutdown the FSD when hard points are out. Probably you also shutdown your fuel scoop as well, with some setups you might shutdown even your life support.
I think it is not sad btw. You should probably be actually happy that shipbuilding in Elite is far more complicated/interesting than just installing the best modules
The ship building is one of the things I really like, but the Viper is just unable to get those little extra's that would give it a nice sheen...
I trimmed down all the modules, and such to squeeze what I got onto her, and I even settled back into the thought that while ferrying her around I gotta give up stuff. Which actually sort of sucks because sometimes where I am going does not have the replacement parts.
[Viper]
M: 2E/F Multi-cannon
M: 2E/F Multi-cannon
S: 1E/F Beam Laser
S: 1E/F Beam Laser
U: 0I Point Defence
U: 0D Kill Warrant Scanner
BH: 1I Military Grade Composite
RB: 3A Power Plant
TM: 3A Thrusters
FH: 3A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 2A Life Support
PC: 3A Power Distributor
SS: 3A Sensors
FS: 2C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 4)
3: 3D Hull Reinforcement Package
3: 3A Shield Generator
2: 1D Frame Shift Drive Interdictor
1: 1D Fuel Scoop
---
Shield: 178.50 MJ
Power : 9.84 MW retracted (82%)
12.54 MW deployed (105%)
12.00 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 4 T
Mass : 121.3 T empty
125.3 T full
Range : 12.31 LY unladen
12.31 LY laden
Price : 2,964,461 CR
Re-Buy: 148,223 CR @ 95% insurance
I think I run her pretty lean, but I also think she should be able to handle a little bit more. 3Mj should put her in a position where she can handle all A gear and still need power management for weapon management.