Just a simple idea, I've probably had before.
Lol
I've always thought it would be good to have more to do on the modules tab, if for no reason other than experimentation out of boredom on a long flight. lol
Manually Adjust Power Output.
A simple slider in the modules tab, that lets you adjust the power output of your reactor from 0% (off) to 100%. At 0%, everything is off, completely. Only a tiny amount of reserve power is keeping your HUD working (so you can turn the power back on again!).
When you lower your power output, modules will switch off in the order your prioritize them in. Lowering power is almost instant.
When you lower your power output, you also reduce your thermal signature, and fuel consumption.
However, raising power takes some time to kick in, roughly 1Mj / second, and modules also need to boot up, so coming out of lower power mode is a fairly slow process, so don't expect to be ambushing anyone!
What can this be used for?
Firstly, simply testing your power priorities.
You can undock, and shut your power down, and make sure everything reacts as you expect.
Secondly, it could be used in self defence to significantly reduce your thermal signature, or maintain silent running for longer.
Thirdly, explorers could use it to keep temperatures low while away from danger, and raise it again to bring defences online when they may be needed.
Low Power Option For Some Modules
Currently we can set modules On, or Off.
I'd like to suggest having a Low Power Option for some modules. Different modules will react differently to the Low Power Option.
Shield Generators
Setting your shield generator to Low Power, will reduce its power consumption by 75%, but will also lower, but not collapse, your shield rings. Shields in this state are technically down, but will come back online within a few seconds when powered on fully. However, in low power mode, they will not regenerate.
Using silent running with low power shields will collapse them, and will require a full recharge.
Capacitor
When setting the Capacitor to Low Power, it simply reduces the rate of regeneration by 75%, and the Capacitors power consumption by 50%. It takes a while to spin up to full speed when switched back to full power.
Thrusters
When setting thrusters to low power, they are simply 50% less effective, but use 50% less power. Boost is also disabled.
Sensors
Activating Low Power on sensors will reduce their ability to resolve contacts to almost nothing, but will still pick up unresolved contacts, but use lots less power.
Low Power Toggle
The Low Power Toggle simply sets all modules that have a low power option to Low Power or On at the same time.
Ideally, setting an overall Low Power mode, would reduce internal and external lighting levels, as well as dim the HUD.
The same would happen for going below 50% power output via damage or manually lowering power output.
If you're suffering from a power failure, rather than switch off some modules, your system will automatically put them in to Low Power mode if available, if this is enough to keep you going, they will stay that way. If you continue to lose power, they will then switch off entirely. An added failsafe.
I'm not entirely sure what order, maybe using the same overall power priorities, or how much power they draw.
That's all!
Thoughts?
CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
Lol
I've always thought it would be good to have more to do on the modules tab, if for no reason other than experimentation out of boredom on a long flight. lol
Manually Adjust Power Output.
A simple slider in the modules tab, that lets you adjust the power output of your reactor from 0% (off) to 100%. At 0%, everything is off, completely. Only a tiny amount of reserve power is keeping your HUD working (so you can turn the power back on again!).
When you lower your power output, modules will switch off in the order your prioritize them in. Lowering power is almost instant.
When you lower your power output, you also reduce your thermal signature, and fuel consumption.
However, raising power takes some time to kick in, roughly 1Mj / second, and modules also need to boot up, so coming out of lower power mode is a fairly slow process, so don't expect to be ambushing anyone!
What can this be used for?
Firstly, simply testing your power priorities.
You can undock, and shut your power down, and make sure everything reacts as you expect.
Secondly, it could be used in self defence to significantly reduce your thermal signature, or maintain silent running for longer.
Thirdly, explorers could use it to keep temperatures low while away from danger, and raise it again to bring defences online when they may be needed.
Low Power Option For Some Modules
Currently we can set modules On, or Off.
I'd like to suggest having a Low Power Option for some modules. Different modules will react differently to the Low Power Option.
Shield Generators
Setting your shield generator to Low Power, will reduce its power consumption by 75%, but will also lower, but not collapse, your shield rings. Shields in this state are technically down, but will come back online within a few seconds when powered on fully. However, in low power mode, they will not regenerate.
Using silent running with low power shields will collapse them, and will require a full recharge.
Capacitor
When setting the Capacitor to Low Power, it simply reduces the rate of regeneration by 75%, and the Capacitors power consumption by 50%. It takes a while to spin up to full speed when switched back to full power.
Thrusters
When setting thrusters to low power, they are simply 50% less effective, but use 50% less power. Boost is also disabled.
Sensors
Activating Low Power on sensors will reduce their ability to resolve contacts to almost nothing, but will still pick up unresolved contacts, but use lots less power.
Low Power Toggle
The Low Power Toggle simply sets all modules that have a low power option to Low Power or On at the same time.
Ideally, setting an overall Low Power mode, would reduce internal and external lighting levels, as well as dim the HUD.
The same would happen for going below 50% power output via damage or manually lowering power output.
If you're suffering from a power failure, rather than switch off some modules, your system will automatically put them in to Low Power mode if available, if this is enough to keep you going, they will stay that way. If you continue to lose power, they will then switch off entirely. An added failsafe.
I'm not entirely sure what order, maybe using the same overall power priorities, or how much power they draw.
That's all!
Thoughts?
CMDR Cosmic Spacehead