Gating generators to save resources?

[TheAlterMind]

Hi! I have this setup and since I have connected the smart battery directly to both generators, whenever it gets depleted both generators turn on and start charging it. As natural gas is infinite I would like to set it up so the NG generator would power the battery first and only if it cannot - then let the coal one do it. Can this be set up? Thanks in advance!

[PhailRaptor]

The only way to do that is to add a second Smart Battery for the other Generator, with different a lower "active" condition.  This will trigger the other Generator at a lower point in your power reserves.

[KittenIsAGeek]

Usually I do a smart battery for each generator and I set them to turn on in priority sequence. For example, I would set the nat gas to turn on at 75% battery and the coal at 25% or even 0%.  

[pg13]

You could maybe do a filter gate to the coal generator so if the natural gas generator doesn't fill up the battery above a certain percentage coal gen would kick in after few seconds. But the best way is second battery.

[KittenIsAGeek]

One battery per generator has the added advantage of giving more lee-way in your power operating budget.  For example, I have 3 generators -- one hydrogen and two coal.  For 90% of my power needs, the hydrogen is just fine.  Sometimes one of the coal generators kicks in for a bit.. but when all my power hungry circuits are active at once, then the third generator kicks in.  Its a set-and-forget sort of thing.  With 3 batteries on my main power trunk, a heavy draw circuit can kick on and run for a while without drawing enough to start my coal, meaning that sometimes my aquatuner and metal refinery can run and be done without ever kicking the coal generator on at all.  

[TheAlterMind]

Thanks!