Proposal to Improve Historical Accuracy of Auxiliary Engine Techs

[BattleshipOfDestruction]

This topic is to discuss an improvement to the generic and immersion breaking auxillary engine types in the game. More topics will be coming about other modules and discussions on their accuracy and possible improvements that can be made.

There are a lot of nonsensical auxiliary engine types here in the Vanilla Options. The devs decided to use intentionally generic options for auxillary power. Instead of focusing on electrical generation and actual ways to generate auxiliary power, they instead focused on similar engine types to what was available in the engines section and "magically" told the player that they generated emergency power. With the exception of diesel engines and batteries, this is generally untrue as auxiliary power is mostly generated from the main powerplants as often there was little space for auxillary engines; even on the largest Battleships. Therefore every turbine, piston engine or diesel engine was attached to an electricity generating device which provided both main and emergency power either using batteries to store excess power or auxillary diesels to restart the main engines quickly if they were knocked offline by shock from a hit and needed repair. For example, on Bismarck, the shutoff valves on the Turbines were knocked to the off position by shock from a torpedo hit on the armor belt from the first swordfish attack. The crew were easily able to restart the engines due to the fact that the shutoff was man operable and there was surplus electricity from the turbine rundown to feedback into restarting the turbines through an elaborate power distribution system like most modern warships bolstered. Iowa-Class Battleships had an auxillary diesel engine, heck even two of them, but this was only meant to quickly restart the engines after battle damage rendered a turbine inoperable and had to be shutdown for a while. The engine provided a way to quickly cold start a turbine as opposed to using just steam pressure to start it like the normal procedure would require. Therefore I would rename this section in-game to "Electric and Auxiliary Powerplant" considering the options available and the fact that only a few ships sport a true dedicated emergency power system.

 

At Tier I we have Dynamos. These were introduced in 1890 and available for installation until 1912 (in-game). When steam technology and iron armor were employed on warships, electrical power became essential for functions like traversing, training and loading guns, along with illuminating areas without natural light. Natural light was scarce due to armor considerations, and open flames posed risks, especially near powder magazines. Electricity and electric lights became a mainstay of illumination and automation in modern warships. Thus, a method for providing power to make those lights and electrically automated functions work was needed. Additionally, redundancy was required, and thus more than one generator was used to ensure power could be maintained on a warship in the heat of battle. Dynamos were the predecessor technology to alternators, using direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC). In a DC system, electric charge flows in one direction only, providing a steady and consistent voltage. This was ideal for the early electrical systems on ships, where a stable power supply was crucial. However, DC systems had limitations, including higher power losses over long distances and the need for complex and heavy equipment. These dynamos were directly driven by the mechanical energy from the rotating shafts of a ship's reciprocating expansion engines to generate power. While DC was reliable, the dynamos required frequent maintenance due to their brushes that needed periodic replacement. Additionally, the dynamos were immensely heavy. Dynamos were used on various merchant ships, including RMS Titanic, from the 1890s to the early 1910s. Naval use of dynamos was limited following the introduction of alternators in 1912 due to the low efficiency of power generation, the maintenance demands, and the weight of the equipment.

Preliminary Values:

Engine Weight: 50%

Engine Cost Per Weight: 5%

Engine Vibrations: 25%

Fuel Efficiency: -10%

Fuel Stowage: 5%

Max Speed Penalty (From Engine Damage): -5%

Turning Rate: 2.5%

Rudder Shift Speed: 2.5%

Turret Traverse Speed: 2.5%

Water Pumping: 2.5%

Ship Repairs (All Modules): 2.5%

Ship Repairs (Engines): 5%

Ship Flaws: 0.25%

 

At Tier II we have Dynamos with Electric Batteries. These were introduced in 1891 and are available for installation until 1912 (in-game). The first warship to be equipped with electric batteries to store excess electrical power was USS Olympia (1892). At the time, dynamos were linked to the ship's reciprocating steam powerplant to generate electricity. In such a system, excess energy not required by the ship was stored in massive lead-acid batteries, which made the entire system between 3-5% heavier. These batteries provided a consistent power supply regardless of whether the dynamo was running at full capacity or not. This consistent power was crucial for critical operations, including maintaining electric lighting throughout the ship. The lower uptime of dynamos with this system in place made maintenance easier, as it reduced wear and tear on the brushes and extended the service life of the entire unit. Additionally, the use of batteries allowed for a more stable and reliable power supply during periods of high demand or when the primary power sources were offline. This redundancy was particularly important during combat situations, where uninterrupted power was essential for the operation of the ship's systems. The system was also more electrically efficient than dynamos alone due to the lack of wasted electricity. Instead of excess energy being dissipated as heat, it was stored in the batteries for later use. This not only improved overall energy efficiency but also reduced fuel consumption and operating costs.

Preliminary Values:

Engine Weight: 55%

Engine Cost Per Weight: 10%

Engine Vibrations: 20%

Fuel Efficiency: -5%

Fuel Stowage: 2.5%

Max Speed Penalty (From Engine Damage): -10%

Turning Rate: 5%

Rudder Shift Speed: 5%

Turret Traverse Speed: 5%

Water Pumping: 5%

Ship Repairs (All Modules): 5%

Ship Repairs (Engines): 7.5%

Ship Flaws: 0.5%

 

At Tier III we have Alternators. These were introduced in 1911 and available for installation until 1920 (in-game). Pioneered by the Battleship USS New York (1912), alternators were the first alternating current (AC) generators used in naval applications. In an AC system, the electric charge periodically reverses direction, resulting in a waveform that oscillates between positive and negative values. AC systems are more efficient for power distribution over long distances due to lower power losses and the ability to use transformers to step up or step down voltage levels. Alternators generate AC electricity, which given the miles of wiring present in warships is ideal for naval applications. AC systems allowed for lighter and more efficient generators, reducing the overall weight and complexity of the power generation system. Like dynamos, alternators used the mechanical energy from the ship's engine shafts to generate electricity. At this time, alternators were often used in conjunction with expansion engines since they were more efficient than turbines at this stage. The implementation of alternators marked a significant advancement in naval engineering, providing a more efficient, reliable, and maintainable power supply system for warships.

Preliminary Values:

Engine Weight: 25%

Engine Cost Per Weight: 15%

Engine Vibrations: 15%

Fuel Efficiency: 5%

Fuel Stowage: 0%

Max Speed Penalty (From Engine Damage): -15%

Turning Rate: 10%

Rudder Shift Speed: 10%

Turret Traverse Speed: 10%

Water Pumping: 10%

Ship Repairs (All Modules): 10%

Ship Repairs (Engines): 15%

Ship Flaws: 0.75%

 

At Tier IV we have Alternators with Electric Batteries. These were introduced in 1915 and available for installation until 1940 (in-game). Once turbines were used in conjunction with alternators, the turbo-electric drive was made possible. First introduced on USS New Mexico (1917) at the height of the First World War, this innovation allowed for the turbine's mechanical energy to be directly and efficiently converted into electricity via alternators. The electricity was then routed into the aft engine rooms, where massively powerful electric engines were used to propel the ship at great speeds. The turbo-electric drive system provided several advantages over traditional direct mechanical drive systems. It allowed for greater flexibility in engine placement in the ship's design, improved efficiency, and reduced vibration and noise. This system also simplified the transmission of power from the engines to the propellers, as the electrical connections were more flexible than mechanical linkages which would reduce the risk of battle damage severing a engine shaft. The first generation of this system lacked batteries to store excess energy, but later systems, such as what is represented here, incorporated batteries. These batteries allowed for the storage of excess electrical power, which could be used to restart the engines or power other essential functions in case of an emergency. This added redundancy improved the overall reliability and operational flexibility of the ship.

Preliminary Values:

Engine Weight: 20%

Engine Cost Per Weight: 20%

Engine Vibrations: 10%

Fuel Efficiency: 10%

Fuel Stowage: -2.5%

Max Speed Penalty (From Engine Damage): -25%

Turning Rate: 15%

Rudder Shift Speed: 15%

Turret Traverse Speed: 15%

Water Pumping: 15%

Ship Repairs (All Modules): 15%

Ship Repairs (Engines): 30%

Ship Flaws: 1%

 

At Tier V we have Backup Diesel Generators. these were introduced in 1940 and available for installation until 1950+ (in-game). In this power plant, diesel generators were added in the machinery spaces in addition to geared steam turbines with alternators to generate enough emergency power to restart the turbines if they were knocked out or shut down in the heat of battle. These diesel generators provided a reliable source of emergency power, ensuring that essential systems remained operational and the ship could be maneuvered and the guns aimed even in critical situations. Instead of using batteries in a turbo-electric system, the alternators installed on a warship at this time were intentionally designed to provide enough power for its primary needs without excess production. Advanced distribution systems redirected power to where it was needed, eliminating the need to store any excess energy in heavy batteries. This system optimized the use of available power and reduced the overall weight and complexity of the power generation system. Marine diesels also eventually became the primary method of propulsion in later years, replacing steam turbines. Diesel engines were much more efficient than steam turbines and required far less fuel comparatively. This shift allowed for greater operational range and reduced fuel consumption, which was particularly advantageous during extended missions and wartime operations. Diesel engines were extensively used as auxiliary systems in the later American warship classes, including the Iowa and the planned Montana Classes. These systems provided a robust and efficient power supply, enhancing the overall performance and reliability of modern warships.

Preliminary Values:

Engine Weight: 25%

Engine Cost Per Weight: 75%

Engine Vibrations: 5%

Fuel Efficiency: 15%

Fuel Stowage: -5%

Max Speed Penalty (From Engine Damage): -50%

Turning Rate: 30%

Rudder Shift Speed: 30%

Turret Traverse Speed: 30%

Water Pumping: 30%

Ship Repairs (All Modules):  30%

Ship Repairs (Engines): 60%

Ship Flaws: 1.25%