A quick question on mining! and how may collectors!
- Thread starter Muzz UK
- Start date
I have 6 and they can scoop a roid worth of chunks in about 4 minutes. Not bad imo.u
The number of active collectors you should have is dependent on your lasers more than your carry capacity. The faster you can lase chunks off of asteroids the more simultaneous collectors you will need to keep collection speed up. A Type 6 probably doesn't need more than 2-3 active collectors with two C1 lasers.
As for the number of limpets you should carry with you when you leave, that you will have to find out for yourself. Limpets have a defined lifespan but that is only their maximum. Sometimes Limpets kill themselves smashing into rocks, and there is travel time between rocks, between the limpet and your cargo hold, and time searching for a rock worth mining that eat away at their active lifespan. about 40%-70% cargo space:Limpet ratio depending on your luck finding good rocks and cargo hold size (T9s need to take comparatively more limpets than a T6 because they can lase faster and deploy more active drones and have much more cargo space) with the T6 being towards the lower end of the scale.
As for the number of limpets you should carry with you when you leave, that you will have to find out for yourself. Limpets have a defined lifespan but that is only their maximum. Sometimes Limpets kill themselves smashing into rocks, and there is travel time between rocks, between the limpet and your cargo hold, and time searching for a rock worth mining that eat away at their active lifespan. about 40%-70% cargo space:Limpet ratio depending on your luck finding good rocks and cargo hold size (T9s need to take comparatively more limpets than a T6 because they can lase faster and deploy more active drones and have much more cargo space) with the T6 being towards the lower end of the scale.
Because sitting still and doing nothing is boring, I'd suggest as many as you can fit without materially impacting cargo space. I have 12 on my T-9 and wish I could fit more. With 12 collector limpets I have just one cargo rack with 256 tons, but that's enough - I don't have the patience to mine for more at one time!
I carry about 80% limpets to my Cargo space, so if i have a 200 cargo space i start out with 160-170 limpets. If my cargo space is running out and i have just found the Dream 3 'P' rock (Painite, Platinum & Paladium , rare as rocking horse poo), then i power off the running limpets in modules, then drop 4 more and power these off. This destroys the collectors and then fire off 4 more and instantly i have more cargo space for that rich rock. Limpets are Cheap 102 Cr's missing a ton of Painite is costly!
I like to be very picky when it comes to what i have in my Cargo space, unless i need some for a BB mission, i eject anything Not beginning with a P or G, and i find having 4 collectors gives me more control on what and when to Vent. As the 'Mining' bug is still in play, the hopper gets jammed, so having a bit of useless stuff to vent from the hopper is always good and gets the refinery going again!
I like to be very picky when it comes to what i have in my Cargo space, unless i need some for a BB mission, i eject anything Not beginning with a P or G, and i find having 4 collectors gives me more control on what and when to Vent. As the 'Mining' bug is still in play, the hopper gets jammed, so having a bit of useless stuff to vent from the hopper is always good and gets the refinery going again!
In my Python miner (200t cargo, 1 prospector, 5 collectors) I take ~120 and run out as I fill up, but have had to resort to old school mining for those last few chips so will take a few more next time. so more than half of your cargo space at a minimum. Also 1 prospector is probably not enough but will have to compromise collectors or cargo for more; I'm still playing with my load-out.
P.S. Yes I also spend time in the refinery venting crap and kicking it.
P.S. Yes I also spend time in the refinery venting crap and kicking it.
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I don't!
I get nearly 3 tons refined for every limpet, so would quickly run out of cargo space. My ratio is thus about 35%
(I take 90 limpets to fill my 250T anaconda hold.)
I use only 5 collectors at a time. It is more important to position your ship to minimise the collection time, and use prospectors to maximise the yield.
As mentioned, you will have to see what your style of mining needs.
With my ASP miner build, which should be similar to your T6 I have found I need 21 limpets to fill 100 tons of cargo space, using three at a time with two C1 mining lasers.
I don't mine for the money, I can trade far more money in my 'Conda, so I mine for fun, and don't go looking specifically for the three 'P's, and I don't bother using prospector limpets at this time so, my yields are less.
But that said I still mainly eject the Bertandite/Indite/Gallites, in favour of the more valuable metals.
I don't mine for the money, I can trade far more money in my 'Conda, so I mine for fun, and don't go looking specifically for the three 'P's, and I don't bother using prospector limpets at this time so, my yields are less.
But that said I still mainly eject the Bertandite/Indite/Gallites, in favour of the more valuable metals.
I take about 45% of my cargo capacity, and often have a few left over.
However, I think something that has not been asked, but it pertinent, is: what sort of mining will you do?
If you plan to strip mine (ie take anything and everything, aiming for speed rather than quality) then you need fewer limpets as you'll be firing off less prospectors.
If you plan for a balance between time and quality - venting out a fair bit - then something like my 40 to 50% is probably going to do you fine.
If you plan on being very specific, only taking particular metals, and venting lots and lots of rubbish - then you are going to need more limpets because you'll be firing off a lot of prospectors to find only the best roids. This would probably be more like the 80% that is quoted up thread.
However, I think something that has not been asked, but it pertinent, is: what sort of mining will you do?
If you plan to strip mine (ie take anything and everything, aiming for speed rather than quality) then you need fewer limpets as you'll be firing off less prospectors.
If you plan for a balance between time and quality - venting out a fair bit - then something like my 40 to 50% is probably going to do you fine.
If you plan on being very specific, only taking particular metals, and venting lots and lots of rubbish - then you are going to need more limpets because you'll be firing off a lot of prospectors to find only the best roids. This would probably be more like the 80% that is quoted up thread.