Newcomer / Intro Questions About the Auto Field-Maintenance Unit

[asphaltpilot]

In my travels I've haven't been unlucky enough to need to use it, but I should really figure out how to use the thing before I take off for the Seagull nebula and beyond.

After purchase and using the AFMU a few times it runs out of ammunition (materials) needed to repair other modules. I've read that any station which can re-arm a ship can replinish the ammunition for the AFMU. If that is the case then why the detailed description of the different materials the AFMU uses? What is the purpose of these materials and what is the advantage? Is mining the best (only?) way to replenish these materials? If so, do they need to be refined like every other mining material? I haven't paid attention to see if I can just buy these materials at extraction-based space ports.

It is my understanding that in order to get the best bang for your buck, keep the AFMU disabled until you need to use it. Keeping it on will repair your damaged modules on the fly but will waste AFMU materials faster. Is that true?

I thought about just selling the AFMU when materials run out and buying it back but that probably will not work considering that selling and re-buying heat sinks just gives me back my empty heat sinks. Is that correct?

Repairing expensive modules with the AFMU is cheaper than having a space port repair them. Is that correct?

Anything else about the AFMU I need to know? I'm surprised I've found so little information on this piece of gear.

 

[YinYin]

An AFMU can be restocked with materials much like weapons, the SRV or an FSD injection. Gathering those materials does not require a refinery, but a mining laser (for asteroids) or weapon/SRV (for surface materials from outcrops/meteorites).

The higher grade restocks you can synthesise allow the AFMU to work faster, which is only really important during combat.

It is my understanding that in order to get the best bang for your buck, keep the AFMU disabled until you need to use it. Keeping it on will repair your damaged modules on the fly but will waste AFMU materials faster. Is that true?

Repairing only happens by toggling a specific damaged module to repair. You cannot waste AFMU ammunition.

I thought about just selling the AFMU when materials run out and buying it back but that probably will not work considering that selling and re-buying heat sinks just gives me back my empty heat sinks. Is that correct?

Yes, all modules using ammunition are usually sold empty - thus you have to restock them either way.

IRepairing expensive modules with the AFMU is cheaper than having a space port repair them. Is that correct?

No idea.

 

[Evoflash]

In my travels I've haven't been unlucky enough to need to use it, but I should really figure out how to use the thing before I take off for the Seagull nebula and beyond.

After purchase and using the AFMU a few times it runs out of ammunition (materials) needed to repair other modules. I've read that any station which can re-arm a ship can replinish the ammunition for the AFMU. If that is the case then why the detailed description of the different materials the AFMU uses? What is the purpose of these materials and what is the advantage? Is mining the best (only?) way to replenish these materials? If so, do they need to be refined like every other mining material? I haven't paid attention to see if I can just buy these materials at extraction-based space ports.

I use SRV to obtain Vanadium and other materials required to replenish. It's not too bothersome, and makes for a nice break. In my view the basic refill is sufficient, no need for more exotic refils.

It is my understanding that in order to get the best bang for your buck, keep the AFMU disabled until you need to use it. Keeping it on will repair your damaged modules on the fly but will waste AFMU materials faster. Is that true?

I'm not aware of that, and I don't think it is true. I keep the AFMU turned off in normal flight, and have occasional repair stops where I turn it on and fix modules.

I thought about just selling the AFMU when materials run out and buying it back but that probably will not work considering that selling and re-buying heat sinks just gives me back my empty heat sinks. Is that correct?

Never tried, it's not expensive to refill

Repairing expensive modules with the AFMU is cheaper than having a space port repair them. Is that correct?

Yes.

Anything else about the AFMU I need to know? I'm surprised I've found so little information on this piece of gear.

- Take two AFMU's, as the AFMU cannot self repair. In my Asp I took a grade 5 and a grade 3.
- The higher rated the AFMU the more repair per shot, I nearly went for B-grade as they have more ammo, but I found an excellent post here (https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=139844) that has much more detail. TLDR - buy A-rated.

 

[aRJay]

The AMFU only operates when you go to the modules TAB and click the repair button on the module you want fixing the only reason to switch the power off to an AMFU is to reduce power consumption whilst in flight so you run cooler.

 

[Ism]

You would leave your AMFU disabled until you need it to preserve power in a maxed out ship.
Otherwise like previously stated, you must select the module to repair in the system panel.
Then you must restart the module after the repair.

 

[aRJay]

You would leave your AMFU disabled until you need it to preserve power in a maxed out ship.
Otherwise like previously stated, you must select the module to repair in the system panel.
Then you must restart the module after the repair.

Very important to remember this otherwise you get into the whole ranting "Why won't you <expletive deleted> work you <expletive deleted> useless <expletive deleted> ship" situation which can lead to much embarrassment if there are others within earshot.