Ship Builds & Load Outs MJ required to boost

Alex Brentnall · May 27, 2015

Hi folks,
This may have already been checked out but I wondered if there was any definitive guide for the amount of MJ every ship requires to boost:
http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Power_Distributor

Since modules now come with a sell penalty this would be useful information for those traders who want the minimum weight distributor that still allows the function.

Apart from try them all before 1.3 does anyone have any ideas?

cmmcleod · Jul 2, 2015

Have you been able to find any information on this?

Alex Brentnall · Jul 2, 2015

No, this thread kind of died spectacularly

The module sell penalty also got dropped so at the moment you can just keep selling upgrading the distributor and testing it each time. I may do testing myself but I really don't have time right now (and probably won't until September

)

cmmcleod · Jul 8, 2015

For anyone interested in helping out with this I've created this publicly editable Google Spreadsheet for tracking/adding data:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1THIQPq84LEAMBDswKqlQDVc0TXHBq30Saz1Mb67JvBE/edit?usp=sharing

Methodology is as follows:

1. Set 0 pips in ENG
2. Boost
3. Note how many bars were used (N / 10) in your ENG Capacitor. This gives a very rough estimate for percent used (+/- 5%), i.e. 7 / 10 bars ~ 70%

To Add Data to the Spreadsheet (The sheet named '~% Capacity Used On Boost'):

1. Lookup your power distributor along the left column
2. Lookup your Thruster along the top row
3. Enter the percentage value in the cell for that row and column.

If a value is present, but different from yours, please right-click and add a comment with your details, but please leave the value unchanged.

PM me if you have any questions!

cmmcleod · Jul 16, 2015

Added more data to the spreadsheet, but still missing lots.. Bump.

Alex Brentnall · Jul 16, 2015

Nice work, I've since been informed that the easiest way (since sell value is still 100% of purchase value) is to buy that module first at A grade and then select each distributor down the list until it says "Caution you will be unable to boost" when you buy it.

Obviously your list will be very useful if they re-introduce the sell penalty so keep it up

cmmcleod · Jul 16, 2015

Yup, I've been doing this, but it's time consuming!

I was hoping some kind CMDRs will help.. So I can get back to hauling in my Trader conda..

Alex Brentnall · Jul 16, 2015

cmmcleod said:
Yup, I've been doing this, but it's time consuming! I was hoping some kind CMDRs will help.. So I can get back to hauling in my Trader conda..

Haha, I'm currently spending too much time updating the "active discounts" thread I have as well as some serious real life issues going off at the moment.

My plan was a bit simpler and was to get a list of what modules are boostable with every ship.
Not tested, just guessed as an example:

Anaconda:
Class 8 - E grade and above
Class 7 - C grade and above
Class 6 - A grade

cmmcleod · Jul 16, 2015

Alex Brentnall said:
Haha, I'm currently spending too much time updating the "active discounts" thread I have as well as some serious real life issues going off at the moment.

My plan was a bit simpler and was to get a list of what modules are boostable with every ship.
Not tested, just guessed as an example:

Anaconda:
Class 8 - E grade and above
Class 7 - C grade and above
Class 6 - A grade

Yeah, so.. I didn't realize (until looking at some of the data I gathered) that power used for boost is determined by the ship, and the thruster class/rating that is installed has no affect.

I have updated my spreadsheet accordingly and determined data for Anaconda, Sidewinder, Eagle, Type-9 and Imperial Clipper. I am also going to cross-post in the general discussion forum since this sub-forum is pretty quiet.

who? · Jul 16, 2015

cmmcleod said:
Yeah, so.. I didn't realize (until looking at some of the data I gathered) that power used for boost is determined by the ship, and the thruster class/rating that is installed has no affect.

I have updated my spreadsheet accordingly and determined data for Anaconda, Sidewinder, Eagle, Type-9 and Imperial Clipper. I am also going to cross-post in the general discussion forum since this sub-forum is pretty quiet.

I have a Viper, Scout, Vulture, Asp and Python; so could add data for those. If I can find where I put them.

cmmcleod · Jul 16, 2015

who? said:
I have a Viper, Scout, Vulture, Asp and Python; so could add data for those. If I can find where I put them.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1THIQPq84LEAMBDswKqlQDVc0TXHBq30Saz1Mb67JvBE

Instructions:

If a power distributor cannot boost put a '-' in the appropriate cell, otherwise put the percentage of the eng capacitor that was used.

If you see a value that is incorrect please add a note.

Hopefully this is clear! Reply on this thread if you have any questions, thanks!

Ziljan · Jul 17, 2015

The Cobra and the Scout are both 11MJ? And both use a class 3 PD. This doesn't jive with my experience. The Cobra not only has a faster top speed and slower deceleration, it also seems to be ready to boost again sooner than the Scout. Will have to test these results in game and report back. Maybe the refresh/recharge rate is modified by other hidden variables? Maybe it's just the slower deceleration on the Cobra that is tricking my sense of the passage of time?

cmmcleod · Jul 17, 2015

Ziljan said:
The Cobra and the Scout are both 11MJ? And both use a class 3 PD. This doesn't jive with my experience. The Cobra not only has a faster top speed and slower deceleration, it also seems to be ready to boost again sooner than the Scout. Will have to test these results in game and report back. Maybe the refresh/recharge rate is modified by other hidden variables? Maybe it's just the slower deceleration on the Cobra that is tricking my sense of the passage of time?

Just to Clarify

Power distributors have no affect on speed, boost, acceleration, etc.
The Power Distributor recharge rate is fixed based on the Power Distributors Class/Rating
The recharge of the power distributor for Cobra vs Diamndback will be the same if the PD is the same Class/Rating

My numbers could be off. Bear in mind these number are the minimum energy required to boost. If you can mount a Power Distributor with a ENG Capacitor capacity of less than 11MJ in either the Cobra or the Diamondback then let me know and I will correct the data!

Ziljan · Jul 17, 2015

cmmcleod said:
Just to Clarify

Power distributors have no affect on speed, boost, acceleration, etc.

The Power Distributor recharge rate is fixed based on the Power Distributors Class/Rating

The recharge of the power distributor for Cobra vs Diamndback will be the same if the PD is the same Class/Rating

My numbers could be off. Bear in mind these number are the minimum energy required to boost. If you can mount a Power Distributor with a ENG Capacitor capacity of less than 11MJ in either the Cobra or the Diamondback then let me know and I will correct the data!

Oh I am well aware, but have you tried boosting in a Cobra and compared it to the boost refresh on a Db Scout? Something is clearly off. On paper they have very similar top speeds and the exact same hardware components and yet the Cobra seems to be able to boost again just a little bit sooner, or at least maintain it's speed even though it is a heavier ship by 10T. I haven't don't any timed tests yet, so I don't know if there are any other modifiers affecting this besides the top speed and the degree of momentum. But clearly those two variables play a big part in the overall speed difference, and possibly give the illusion that the recharge rate is different. Watching the pip bars go up on the Cobra/Scout though, I am a bit dubious that there isn't also some other hidden variable at play.