Styth spiting
Gunzerkers
66
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Posted - 2012.09.24 00:16:00 -
[1] - Quote
irishFour wrote:
1. The numbers,
Now I know it is not a simple X number of extractor heads = Y number factories (basic P1 extraction), but some of my colonies are over flowing, and some when i check i have one factory running and seven idle cause I'm not producing enough raw material. And yes, i know that extraction rates decline over time as I deplete raw materials on the planets surface. But Is there a number either on the extractor interface when I just click on it, or when i click on the program interface button that i can see a basic expectation of extraction rate that I can compare to the 3000 units of raw material each of my factories is cycling through every 15-30 minutes (the cycle time escapes me right now). This way i can balance my factories and extractor heads properly,
You might want to look into adding a storage silo into the mix. I use a launch pad + silo on every plant (about 50 planet). I have all extracted materials (P0) stored in the silo, and P1/P2 are stored in the launch pad There are several reason for this. 1) If you max out on P0 you are not destroying/losing your P1/P2 materials (which are lost if you max out on storage). Its much faster to setup and manage factories (really its faster because of the way items are listed). It also is the difference between having to do to 1 or 2 hauling trips a week instead of 3 - 5 per week, which in the long run with PI should be a huge priority for you (because its very easy to get burned out doing PI). It also allows you to stockpile P0 when the extraction amounts start to steadily decline.
irishFour wrote:
2. Depleting resources.
Isk is of no consequence for this PI project, but I am doing it for profit, so I want to avoid rookie mistakes. I understand that certain materials exists in different regions or bands around the planet, and I know to locate my colony and extractor control unit in there vicinity. But, when my hot spots are gone and there are way better spots, just beyond my range, or a little out, not on the other side of the planet, whats the solution.
A. deal with smaller extraction yields until hot spots are within range
B. decommission the extractor control unit and move it, costing isk and increased power-grid?
C. change material being extracted if its a reasonable option
D. move the whole colony as to have a smaller power-grid consumption that would be caused by having a ECU out in no mans land and a really long link.
Always move your extractor if you're yield drops and there is a better spot on the planet. Look at it this way, it costs 45,000 isk to move your extractor. If you get something like 9000 more material (in a 24 hour period) the costs are paid for. Normally as long as you get a higher yield then the previous position your movement cost will get paid for. 45k is only like 100 P1 items (which is 5 P1 runs).
You should also figure out which P2 materials can be made on the planet and when your primary material runs low/out switch to one of the two materials to make P2 items. This way you'll be able to continue extracting something with a specific plan, and P2 is always pretty profitable. I do this on any non lava/plasma. gas planets (because everything else has abundent materials for P2).
irishFour wrote:
3. Set up
Real basic question. If I'm able to monitor at least once every 24 hours, never beyond 48 hours, do i need silos? If i solve and balance the extractor rate and factory equation and the quantities don't exceed the storage of the launch pad am I good. Or is it pro to use a storage facility, and bush league to just use the launch pad.
Answered this above. Silos are so damn useful I use them on all planets. Yes they eat up some grid, but the 1 thing that should supersede maximum yield is decreasing the amount of times you need to haul, and loss of materials (though hitting max storage) which a silo helps with both of these.
irishFour wrote:
4. Selection and rarer materials
Should each colony specialize in one commodity (I will eventually be setting up factory planets down the road), or should I spice it up with variety. And if I have access to the rarer materials (autotrophs and reactive gases) should those be no brainers and i should be extracting them.
If you are doing doing any factory planets and are just selling P1 or P2 goods then don't worry about specializing. Extract and sell whats most profitable, or yields the most, basically wh |