Guide to Setting Up the Singularity: Difference between revisions

Cleaned up some errors. Added Troubleshooting section, Tools Needed info on early sections
(Added revision stubs. Updated APC and initial SMES configurations. Added Introduction section & basic and advanced SMES setup.)
(Cleaned up some errors. Added Troubleshooting section, Tools Needed info on early sections)
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The primary and by far the strongest energy generator for the station is the Singularity Engine, which draws on the raw and mighty power of a black hole, otherwise known as a ''singularity'', otherwise known as the ''singlo'', otherwise known as '''''LORD SINGULOTH, DEVOURER OF ENGINEERING'''''.  
The primary and by far the strongest energy generator for the station is the Singularity Engine, which draws on the raw and mighty power of a black hole, otherwise known as a ''singularity'', otherwise known as the ''singlo'', otherwise known as '''''LORD SINGULOTH, DEVOURER OF ENGINEERING'''''.  


The power for the station comes from ''SMESs'' that store and distribute electricity generated by plasma-powered ''Radiation Collectors''. The radiation they collect is emitted from the singularity. The singularity is created by a ''Particle Accelerator'' focusing excited particles onto a singularity generator. The singularity springs forth from the singularity generator, located in a pocket space just aft of Engineering is held, and devouring anything in its path. Luckily, the singularity is held in place by stasis ''Field Generators'' which are powered by ''Emitters''. Unluckily, the singularity is close enough to Engineering to overload and turn off radio headsets, to spew out EMPs that cause airlocks to open randomly, and to cause anyone nearby to glow and go blind if they're not wearing proper equipment.
The power for the station comes from ''SMESs'' that store and distribute electricity generated by plasma-powered ''Radiation Collectors''. The radiation they collect is emitted from the singularity. The singularity is created by a ''Particle Accelerator'' focusing excited particles onto a singularity generator. The singularity springs forth from the singularity generator, located in a pocket space just aft of Engineering, and devours anything in its path. Luckily, the singularity is held in place by stasis ''Field Generators'' which are powered by laser-firing ''Emitters''. Unluckily, the singularity is close enough to Engineering to overload radio headsets, to spew out EMPs that cause airlocks to open randomly, and to cause anyone nearby to glow and go blind if they're not wearing proper equipment.


When the shift starts, the station is solely dependent on stored power in the solars' and singlo's SMESs. The solars' SMESs are drained quickly, and the singlo's SMESs will drain soon afterward. If the singlo's SMESs run dry before the singlo is powering the station, the Field Generators and Particle Accelerator will shut down. To restart the Singularity Engine, one must initiate [[emergency power generation]].
When the shift starts, the station is solely dependent on stored power in the solars' and singlo's SMESs. The solars' SMESs are drained quickly, and the singlo's SMESs will drain soon afterward. If the singlo's SMESs run dry before the singlo is powering the station, the Field Generators and Particle Accelerator will shut down. To restart the Singularity Engine, one must initiate [[emergency power generation]].
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=== Configuring the APC (optional) ===
=== Configuring the APC (optional) ===
'''Tools needed:''' ID (or ID-loaded PDA)
For rookie Engineers, it is recommended that the Engineering APC is re-configured before continuing. This will ensure the equipment needed to contain the singlo will stay on for an extended duration.  
For rookie Engineers, it is recommended that the Engineering APC is re-configured before continuing. This will ensure the equipment needed to contain the singlo will stay on for an extended duration.  


[[File:Engi unlockingapc.png]]
[[File:Engi unlockingapc.png]]


Go to the Engineering APC. Unlock the APC controls by swiping your ID on it. To do this, take your ID (or ID-loaded PDA), and click the APC. A little light should turn green, and a confirmation text in your chat window that says you've unlocked it.
Go to the Engineering APC. Unlock the APC controls by swiping your ID on it. To do this, take your ID (or ID-loaded PDA), and click the APC. The little light in the upper right corner of the APC should turn green, the grey inactive buttons on the APC settings popup should turn an active blue, and a confirmation text in your chat window that says you've unlocked the APC.


[[File:engi apcunlocked.png]]
[[File:engi apcunlocked.png]]
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[[File:engi changingapc.gif]]
[[File:engi changingapc.gif]]


Set the Equipment to On instead of Auto. This forces the APC to send all power first to the Equipment, like the Field Generators, the Emitters, and the PA. Environment and Lighting will become a lower priority. This gives you more time to <strike>screw around</strike> hone your singlo set-up skills.
Set the Equipment to On instead of Auto. This forces the APC to send all power to the Equipment, like the Emitters and the PA, first. Environment and Lighting will become a lower priority and turn off if there is not enough power for them. This gives you more time to <strike>screw around</strike> hone your singlo set-up skills.


=== Configuring the SMES ===
=== Configuring the SMES ===
[[File:engi3smes.png]]
[[File:engi3smes.png]]


The three white thingamabobs are the station's primary SMES cells. They're connected directly to the Radiation Collectors that create electricity from radiation generated by the singularity. Each round, they start off with enough power to last an experienced Engineer through setting up the singularity. Since you're not experienced, you should configure these a bit before moving on.
The three white thingamabobs are the station's primary SMES cells. They're connected directly to the Radiation Collectors that create electricity from radiation generated by the singularity. Each round, they start off with enough power to last an experienced Engineer through setting up the singularity. Since you're not experienced, you should configure these a bit before moving on.
To alter the configuration of a SMES cell, stand adjacent to the SMES and click on it.
To alter the configuration of a SMES cell, stand adjacent or diagonally to the SMES and click on it.


[[File:engichangingsmes.png]]
[[File:engichangingsmes.png]]
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==== Basic SMES Configuration ====
==== Basic SMES Configuration ====
This is the quickest way to set the SMESs, but not the most optimal. See [[power theory]] for information about SMES settings and [[Guide_to_Setting_Up_the_Singularity#Advanced SMES Configuration|Advanced SMES Configuration]] for more information on optimizing the singlo SMESs.
'''Tools needed:''' none
 
This is the quickest way to set the SMESs, but not the most optimal. See the [[Guide_to_Power|Guide to Power]] for information about SMES settings and [[Guide_to_Setting_Up_the_Singularity#Advanced SMES Configuration|Advanced SMES Configuration]] for more information on optimizing the singlo SMESs.
# Set ''Input'' from Off to On.
# Set ''Input'' from Off to On.
# Increase ''Input'' level to Maximum (200 kW).
# Increase ''Input'' level to Maximum (200 kW).
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==== Advanced SMES Configuration ====
==== Advanced SMES Configuration ====
'''Tools needed:''' none
Because SMESs draw power in a set order, or power queue, and the station only draws about 150kW in the early part of the shift, the SMES output can be optimized to charge all SMESs evenly, meaning that no excess energy is wasted trying to charge already full SMESs. To do this, the Output on the first two SMESs in the power queue needs to be reduced while the final SMES in the queue needs to be set to maximum to cover power fluctuations. We'll choose 50kW for the reduced powers on SMES #1 and #2 since that's 150kW split among the 3 SMESs.
Because SMESs draw power in a set order, or power queue, and the station only draws about 150kW in the early part of the shift, the SMES output can be optimized to charge all SMESs evenly, meaning that no excess energy is wasted trying to charge already full SMESs. To do this, the Output on the first two SMESs in the power queue needs to be reduced while the final SMES in the queue needs to be set to maximum to cover power fluctuations. We'll choose 50kW for the reduced powers on SMES #1 and #2 since that's 150kW split among the 3 SMESs.


# Set ''Input'' from Off to On.
# Set ''Input'' from Off to On.
# Increase ''Input'' level to Maximum (200 kW).
# Increase ''Input'' level to Maximum (200 kW).
# ''On SMESs #1 and #2'', manually decrease ''Output'' level to 50000 W (50 kW).
# ''On SMESs #1 and #2'', manually decrease ''Output'' level to 50000 W (50 kW) if they are not that way already.
# ''On SMES #3'', increase ''Output'' level to Maximum (200 kW).
# ''On SMES #3'', increase ''Output'' level to Maximum (200 kW).


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I usually set the input/output to 200,000/100,000 for each.
I usually set the input/output to 200,000/100,000 for each.
Remember to have the input to auto, and to have the output to online.
Remember to have the input to auto, and to have the output to online.
= Congratulations =
 
Congrats! You just set up a Singularity!
Congrats! You just set up a Singularity!
=== Troubleshooting ===
==== When should I re-configure the SMESs next? ====
'''Answer:''' If the singlo is running, and the SMESs are full or backups are charging, feel free to turn them up to maximum (200 kW) output. If the SMESs are not full and there are no backups, it's best to distribute the load evenly between the SMESs so that they can all charge at the same rate. If the singlo is not and will not be running soon, turn output to minimal levels to conserve power. It's also okay to reduce output when a power sink is active aboard the station.
==== Why is the singlo eating the station? ====
'''Answer:''' Either someone (not naming any names here) didn't turn on the containment field like they were supposed to; or someone (still not naming names) let the power ran dry in the station's SMESs and the Emitters turned off and the Field Generators died; or someone (fine, it's your fault) had the PA running above 0 for too long. <br />
'''Action:''' Switch to solars for main power. Check to see if the singlo ate any important parts. If it didn't, set up the singularity engine again using the spare singularity generator in Engineering Secure Storage.
==== Why won't the Emitters turn on? ====
'''Answer:''' There's no power in the station SMESs; or they're not wired correctly.<br />
'''Action:''' Check the singlo's SMESs in Engineering. If they still have charge, then check the wiring for the Emitters. Also, check that your hands are empty.
==== Why are the SMESs empty? ====
'''Answer:''' The station used up all the power because either the singularity engine wasn't set up fast enough or the Radiation Collectors aren't collecting radiation or wiring.<br />
'''Action:''' Check that the Radiation Collector have their purple screens up. If not, they'll need their Plasma Tanks filled with plasma and installed in the Collector with the purple screen switched on by clicking on it. If the Collectors are ready and waiting, then check the wiring. If the wiring looks good, then you'll have to initiate [[emergency power generation]].
==== Why won't the PA turn on? ====
'''Answer:''' The PA isn't set up properly and it knows better than to let incompetent Engineers turn it on when it's not set up properly.<br />
'''Action:''' Check that the covers to all seven PA sections are closed with your screwdriver. If they aren't, check that all seven sections are wired with a coil of wires. If they aren't wired, then check to see if you know how to read because we already went over this above.
==== Help! I'm stuck in front of the PA! Why can't I get away from it? ====
'''Answer:''' The singularity has a gravitational pull, which grows with each level of strength. If you stand too close, the singlo will pull you towards it, which coincidentally (and fittingly) also happens to be directly in front of the PA.<br />
'''Action:''' Next time, don't stand in front of the PA. This time, pray to whatever gods exist in this godforsaken sector of spess.
==== Help! I just got hit by an Emitter! What do I do? ====
'''Answer:''' Don't stand in front of active Emitters.<br />
'''Action:''' Duh.
==== Help! I went outside to check the singlo and now I'm bouncing off the fields! How could I have prevented this? ====
'''Answer:''' That's not how you check the singlo.<br />
'''Action:''' Next time use the camera screen inside Engineering. Or don't. See if I care.
==== Why are there no lights in Engineering? ====
'''Answer:''' For rookie Engineers, the most common reason is that the APC doesn't have enough power to turn them on because you took too long setting up the singularity engine and you're being rightfully punished. For experienced Engineers, the most common reason is that an electrical storm busted all the lights and you're being unfairly punished by the spess gods.<br />
'''Action:''' Sit in the dark and think about why you deserve this.