Multiple Refineries

[Tafmeister]

So I have just bought my DBX to make the future trip to Sag A - looking to partner up with a work colleague (he may be trying to make the trip in a Cobra) however I am currently gathering funds to kit it out and am for the time being going to do some mining to make a change from being a trading machine.

Now I've done the odd spot of mining here and there so I know what the basic crack is - however a question I do have is this ...

If I knock in two refineries, does the bin amount stack?

Also what is preferred here? Collector Limpets or prospector limpets? This being an opportunity cost where I can really only have one or the other.

I am trying this out in the DBX to get a feel for the ship but I do appreciate that the internal compartments are limited. In saying that, how is a reconfigured Type 6 for mining? Large cargo hold but it's manoeuvrability concerns me (in the case of using prospector limpets) - this would also replace the ship as my primary trader.

I have tried to research the first few questions but the vast majority of answers are either in 2014 or early to mid 2015... So any feedback is welcome

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

You can't put more than one refinery in a ship. The same rule as with shield generators.

You want both prospectors and collectors. Prospectors tell you what is in the asteroid (and also increase the number of fragments you get from it). Collectors are self-explanatory (fragment collection is considerably easier). My rule is a class 1 prospector controller (only one active prospector limpet at a time) and a class 3 collector limpet controller (two active collectors at a time). If you're REALLY stretched for internal compartments, get a bare bones prospector controller, you could always gather the fragments yourself.

Some more rules of thumb: Your smaller internal compartments should be reserved for your mining gear. There's no sense in putting a 4A refinery in a class 5 slot because refineries only go up to class 4, no larger. You'd be wasting cargo space. Definitely try to get a Type 6 for mining. Mining is all about volume.

 

[Mole HD]

One refinery, multiple collector controllers (if possible but not necessary) single prospector controller. The collector controllers with multiple limpets are more efficient, any class 3 will do for this. Prospector controllers with multiple limpets aren't useful at all...a 1a prospector controller with a single limpet will do as good a job.

Apart from 2x D1 mining lasers on small hardpoints, multiple mining lasers aren't of any practical use...a single D2 will do nicely.

A T6 is a really good mining choice, a DBX isn't, purely because of the limited module/cargo capacity.
For mining, with a bare choice between collectors or prospectors, collectors are more useful.

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

One refinery, multiple collector controllers (if possible but not necessary) single prospector controller. The collector controllers with multiple limpets are more efficient, any class 3 will do for this. Prospector controllers with multiple limpets aren't useful at all...a 1a prospector controller with a single limpet will do as good a job.

A T6 is a really good mining choice, a DBX isn't, purely because of the limited module/cargo capacity.
For mining with a choice between collectors or prospectors, collectors are more useful.

I disagree. I would rather know what I'm shooting at than be able to collect it in a timely manner. But I'm also in a Python that isn't hurting for internal slots, so to each their own.

 

[Mole HD]

I disagree. I would rather know what I'm shooting at than be able to collect it in a timely manner. But I'm also in a Python that isn't hurting for internal slots, so to each their own.

I only mentioned it since knowing what you're attempting to collect via the cargo scoop is much harder than collecting a sample of whatever it is with a collector... No other reason. I wouldn't mine without either to be honest

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

I only mentioned it since knowing what you're attempting to collect via the cargo scoop is much harder than collecting a sample of whatever it is with a collector... No other reason. I wouldn't mine without either to be honest

I just specced a DBX with optimal mining equipment (and no shield which is not something I do). Ouch... 32 tons of cargo space. That's a far cry from what I'm capable of now. With a shield it would be 16 tons of cargo.

 

[Mole HD]

I just specced a DBX with optimal mining equipment (and no shield which is not something I do). Ouch... 32 tons of cargo space. That's a far cry from what I'm capable of now. With a shield it would be 16 tons of cargo.

It's a tight squeeze fitting mining gear into something as limited, to be sure. I didn't head out mining until I had an Asp

 

[Sh1nyTh1ngs]

Plus 1 on using the Type 6.


I'd also go collector over prospector, you can check the composition of the 'roid easily by shooting off a lump and targeting it, thus telling you what's in it. Your only loss being reduced fragment output, offset by increased number of 'roids mined. Collectors just speed up the whole process of mining and remove a lot of work involved in scooping up 20 fragments, especially in a type 6.


I first mined in an adder with neither prospector or collector limpets, and while teaching a lot of flight control skills, it was not a relaxing or particularly time effective. T-6 has plenty space for both though, so don't need to make the choice.


EDIT: Take about 75% cargo of limpets to begin with, you can always dump them if you're filling up. Target the prospector limpet before firing your collectors, if you target the fragment, the collector will grab it, deliver, then self destruct. if the prospector is targeted they will collect for their full lifespan.

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

I started my mining career, awkwardly enough, in a Cobra. I also didn't know what I was doing, let's just leave it at that. In my mining career, I went from there to a Type 6, then a Type 7, to my current spot now my Python. I'm thinking of moving to a Type 9 for mining. (I'd take a Cutter, as it has the highest cargo capacity in the game, but I will never be able to get the rank for it.)

 

[Mole HD]

I started my mining career, awkwardly enough, in a Cobra. I also didn't know what I was doing, let's just leave it at that. In my mining career, I went from there to a Type 6, then a Type 7, to my current spot now my Python. I'm thinking of moving to a Type 9 for mining. (I'd take a Cutter, as it has the highest cargo capacity in the game, but I will never be able to get the rank for it.)

I'd go for an Anaconda rather than a T9 if that's an option, it's a good mining rig...I'm lucky enough to have a Cutter which I use predominently for mining, it makes a cracking miner as the front hardpoint is right under the short nose, means you can sit right up to the rock much as you do in a Python. It's well worth the work to get it if only for the cargo capacity... and the size 8 shields

It's a bit sluggish on the thrusters though so not as nimble around the rocks as the Python...

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

I'd go for an Anaconda rather than a T9 if that's an option, it's a good mining rig...I'm lucky enough to have a Cutter which I use predominently for mining, it makes a cracking miner as the front hardpoint is right under the short nose, means you can sit right up to the rock much as you do in a Python. It's well worth the work to get it if only for the cargo capacity... and the size 8 shields

It's a bit sluggish on the thrusters though so not as nimble around the rocks as the Python...

Size 8 shield?! Yikes! You're giving up 256 tons of cargo for that.
As for a mining specced Anaconda, it's a bit out of my price range.

 

[Sh1nyTh1ngs]

I'd go for an Anaconda rather than a T9 if that's an option, it's a good mining rig...I'm lucky enough to have a Cutter which I use predominently for mining, it makes a cracking miner as the front hardpoint is right under the short nose, means you can sit right up to the rock much as you do in a Python. It's well worth the work to get it if only for the cargo capacity... and the size 8 shields

It's a bit sluggish on the thrusters though so not as nimble around the rocks as the Python...

All this talk of mining has inspired me to dust of the old T-6 and head back to my pristine metallic system to sit in the belts and drink beer. Elite:Relaxing for me tonight

 

[Tafmeister]

Hey thanks for the advice all! I have reconfigured the Type 6 and got both prospector and collector limpets ... I tell you - those little limpity bits of goodness are fantastic!

Did my first run into a Major Reserve Metal Rich ring which yielded approximately 140k return for the hour - which for me at starting out is a satisfactory amount - especially as I didn't have to contend with any pirates. Think I had a Class C power distributor installed so didn't have to lift the finger to allow power to regenerate.

All in all quite the enjoyable run.

Further questions however - I have a 5 bin refec and ensured that if there were new minerals / metals available that were low grade - I cleared a spot for as I'm not sure how it works with the automotons that are the collector limpets ... Is this necessary or will the limpets disregard any ore / minerals that doesn't fit with the 5 already applied to me bins?

Secondly - pristine reserves or metallic asteroids? In the event that I have the option of one or the other but not both - what would draw you to it?

 

[BillD]

Hi,
The collectors collect all with no discretion. So if you have a 5 bin refinery, you will need to regularly do refinery management to attend to Unallocated Resources that sit in the hopper waiting for a free slot.

You always want Metallic. Pristine is better than Major as there are better yields but major is OK. Planetary rings are better than most belts as belts mostly have very few roids, where as Metallic rings around planets and gas giants have millions to choose from.
Also make sure you go to the correct ring where the body has multiple types. the A ring is the inner most set closest to the planetary body. Maybe only the inner 10% of the ring. Metallic is usually in the inner most A ring where there are multiple types in the rings.

Don't confuse Metallic and Metal Rich either, which is a common mistake for new miners. Metallic is what you want for the good stuff and the change to find Painite. Yum

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

Hi,
The collectors collect all with no discretion. So if you have a 5 bin refinery, you will need to regularly do refinery management to attend to Unallocated Resources that sit in the hopper waiting for a free slot.

You always want Metallic. Pristine is better than Major as there are better yields but major is OK. Planetary rings are better than most belts as belts mostly have very few roids, where as Metallic rings around planets and gas giants have millions to choose from.
Also make sure you go to the correct ring where the body has multiple types. the A ring is the inner most set closest to the planetary body. Maybe only the inner 10% of the ring. Metallic is usually in the inner most A ring where there are multiple types in the rings.

Don't confuse Metallic and Metal Rich either, which is a common mistake for new miners. Metallic is what you want for the good stuff and the change to find Painite. Yum

This guy has said all the right things. Pristine Metallic are the ideal when it comes to ring systems. My mainstays are the Three P's (Painite, Platinum, and Palladium) along with Gold. If I were near a High Tech system, throw in Osmium as well (the contracts offered on the Bulletin Board for osmium is well above 5 times the market price for it). Another tactic I use is at the beginning, leave the station with roughly half your cargo full of limpets.

 

[Tafmeister]

Again thanks for the responses! I will now attempt to scour the Galaxy for the elusive Pristine Metallic rings.

You don't by chance happen to know if there are any such planets with these rings near Wolf 406? I did a customary search last night but the best I have found is either Major Metal Rich or Common Metallic.

Do the Ideal conditioned based systems tend to get a lot of traffic be it miners or opportunistic pirates?

 

[Mole HD]

Again thanks for the responses! I will now attempt to scour the Galaxy for the elusive Pristine Metallic rings.

You don't by chance happen to know if there are any such planets with these rings near Wolf 406? I did a customary search last night but the best I have found is either Major Metal Rich or Common Metallic.

Do the Ideal conditioned based systems tend to get a lot of traffic be it miners or opportunistic pirates?

Best to avoid the res sites all together, they're more for the combat minded than serious miners. Try a system called Algol, the metal rich planet, Algol A4 in that system has one solid, pristine metallic ring with a decent output. You can sell the metals at Ross 332 which is an industrial/refinery system 3.2 ly away

 

[Sparta117Tetsuo]

Again thanks for the responses! I will now attempt to scour the Galaxy for the elusive Pristine Metallic rings.

You don't by chance happen to know if there are any such planets with these rings near Wolf 406? I did a customary search last night but the best I have found is either Major Metal Rich or Common Metallic.

Do the Ideal conditioned based systems tend to get a lot of traffic be it miners or opportunistic pirates?

When it comes to approaching your mining site, approach the ring system in supercruise so that you're skimming just above the ring. When you're going the slowest you can in supercruise (30km/sec) pitch down into the ring. You'll drop out of supercruise (safely) because ring systems will mass lock you.

 

[Tafmeister]

Best to avoid the res sites all together, they're more for the combat minded than serious miners. Try a system called Algol, the metal rich planet, Algol A4 in that system has one solid, pristine metallic ring with a decent output. You can sell the metals at Ross 332 which is an industrial/refinery system 3.2 ly away

Thanks! 150+ LY away from my current location but I will make that trip! A refinery / industrial system being next door makes the long trip worth the favourable economic profit margins!